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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I have cameras inside and outside my house because of a burglary - AIU re nanny ?

283 replies

camerawomana · 08/10/2023 14:21

Recently been burgled and have now set up indoor and outdoor security cameras.

Nanny isn't happy about the inside ones. I'm happy to switch them off during the day but I don't want to get rid of them entirely.

Don't most people have cameras everywhere nowadays anyway ?

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 08/10/2023 15:34

I have indoor cameras in my home as a part of my security system. They are in the halls and main rooms. They are never, ever on when we are at home, and only turn on when we activate the alarm when leaving the house. The cameras we have have a flashing green light when turned on, and they have metal shutters which close over the lense when off.

I don't think it's weird to have indoor cameras. I do think it's extremely weird if you record yourself in your own home all day long.

PinkChampange · 08/10/2023 15:35

I'd be wondering why she's not happy.

If she has nothing to hide it shouldn't be a problem

DinnyDen · 08/10/2023 15:36

We live in a high net worth area in SW London. Almost everyone, especially younger families in our residents association group (around 100 homes), have both internal and external CCTV, and the majority of older couples have at LEAST outdoor cctv. Everyone had to get permission to film their entrances/drives and gates due to data protection (filming may catch their neighbours comings and goings) which is why I know the extent of this, as we managed the list of GDPR requirements together with the help of experts who also live in the area. If you have valuables to project everyone needs similar security or you become a target. Our combined cctv coverage has resulted in multiple convictions and recovery of valuables. Internal cameras have caught people scoping through back doors and windows when movement alerts are set off. In our area it has been an essential part of reducing crime.

My foremost concern is why would the nanny even care? Surely she’s not doing anything she wants to hide?

Marblessolveeverything · 08/10/2023 15:37

And those that do have them have you very large signs inside and outside advising all visitors. Because current UK law demands you do.

Thankfully in Ireland we are a little more cautious of the camera trend - we only have one in our work office in reception.

Antst · 08/10/2023 15:39

Why even waste time on making this post? You're clearly not going to change your mind.

This is creepy and inappropriate. A shining example of the kind of indignity that childcare workers have to put up with. This is why there's a shortage. Low pay and horrendous behaviour from employers.

If I were you, I'd make sure to have back-up care because I wouldn't be surprised if she's looking for a better position.

duchiebun · 08/10/2023 15:39

have you very large signs inside and outside advising all visitors

A sign is sufficient, it doesn't need to be a billboard

CharlieBoo · 08/10/2023 15:39

I run a cleaning business and a few homes have them inside now too.. but it certainly isn’t the norm

Highandlows · 08/10/2023 15:41

I do not see much trouble here. Let her go if she decide to that. I guess it is not illegal to have cameras in your house. However, I do not know. Nothing to hide not problem if I were the nanny. There are cameras absolutely everywhere these days.

Original poster
camerawomana · 08/10/2023 15:41

@DinnyDen it makes it harder for her to scroll her phone endlessly and FaceTime / phone her friends and family all day..

But I have her number anyway. This is not why I put the cameras up.

OP posts:
luckylavender · 08/10/2023 15:42

I wouldn't work for you in these circumstances

RethinkingLife · 08/10/2023 15:42

I know people with internal cameras. Even with family and carers popping-in multiple times a day, it's reassuring to have cameras in high-accident zones to make sure vulnerable friends and family are OK.

Ghostgirl77 · 08/10/2023 15:43

Outside cameras only by the doors and that’s only because I’ve been in a harassment situation with my ex partner.

Original poster
camerawomana · 08/10/2023 15:43

Antst · 08/10/2023 15:39

Why even waste time on making this post? You're clearly not going to change your mind.

This is creepy and inappropriate. A shining example of the kind of indignity that childcare workers have to put up with. This is why there's a shortage. Low pay and horrendous behaviour from employers.

If I were you, I'd make sure to have back-up care because I wouldn't be surprised if she's looking for a better position.

But I have changed my mind. I understand that most people would not like it, so I will show her how to switch them on and off. I wont get rid of them, but I can understand that most people aren't keen on it and will give her the possibility to switch them off if she's uncomfortable.

OP posts:
Startre28 · 08/10/2023 15:44

Some harsh replies - we have a full CCTV and alarm system, I turn it off during the hours the nanny is here and they are covered. Which was for her benefit.
every other time the security system is on.

duchiebun · 08/10/2023 15:44

Why would you think having cameras inside your house prevents crime?

It does deter burglars though, I remember the police telling me at a neighbourhood watch thing yrs ago

duchiebun · 08/10/2023 15:45

Even with family and carers popping-in multiple times a day, it's reassuring to have cameras in high-accident zones to make sure vulnerable friends and family are OK.

I forgot about that aspect, in-laws have it for that reason but

atomicgecko · 08/10/2023 15:47

I have a couple of cameras that I set up when we go away and leave the cats. I like to be able to look in and check that they’re OK, but I don’t have them set up with memory card for recording.

They’re bulky white things, so not hidden at all, and my catsitter doesn’t mind them being there. I just don’t check the app at the times she’s in since I don’t want to intrude.

That being said, I think I would find it odd to have cameras recording while people are in the house. (I live on a fairly quiet council estate and don’t own anything worth stealing though, so my views might reflect that).

Humblebottomous · 08/10/2023 15:48

No. One of the reasons I left a nannying job was because I spotted a camera set up in the main room that we used. It might have been ok if I had been told and given the option to switch it off. It made me feel very uneasy.

creativeblossom · 08/10/2023 15:48

Marblessolveeverything · 08/10/2023 15:37

And those that do have them have you very large signs inside and outside advising all visitors. Because current UK law demands you do.

Thankfully in Ireland we are a little more cautious of the camera trend - we only have one in our work office in reception.

😂Posts like this need to stop spreading such miss information and talking total bollocks.

Just like others saying cameras are the biggest target for cyber crime.

OP I have cameras outside and inside, so do many others I know. I have also shared CCTV with audio to the police before and they have been very thankful.

Putting a single camera inside at the top of a staircase pointing down is ideal for inside security, I know of a couple of cases where thief's were caught and traced like this. Thief's and opportunist will wear hoodies and balaclavas outside for the cameras and often they will remove them inside and they look up when walking up the stairs providing good evidential footage.

There is nothing wrong with home security.

Honeybee798 · 08/10/2023 15:48

I think having baby monitors for babies/young children is completely different. It’s a strange one because everyone is saying YABU yet loads of people are constantly on CCTV all day at work so I’m a bit on the fence about this. Plus, it’s not like you’ve put them up to monitor her. Surely she can just learn to switch them on and off and accept you have some issues with security in your home.

KoalaChaos · 08/10/2023 15:49

We are in the process of installing cameras and we plan on both inside and outside.
The inside ones will cover the length of the hall, along the landing, aiming towards the big picture window on the front of the house and the bit of the kitchen where the back door is.
Don't think it's unreasonable in some locations. Indoor cameras tend to have a higher quality and resolution so you will get a better picture.
Obviously a camera in a bathroom is invasive but if you're pointing them in places you need to keep an eye on then it's all about balance.

NumberTheory · 08/10/2023 15:50

I don’t think indoor cameras are the norm, yet. But they aren’t that unusual.

DIY security systems like Ring and Nest sell lots of indoor only cameras.

We had indoor cameras as a requirement from our insurers when we were living in London over a decade ago. Only on when the alarm was set. IIRC the alarm company used them to check any sensors that had been triggered were because of a thief and not our cat or kids.

Antst · 08/10/2023 15:51

camerawomana · 08/10/2023 15:43

But I have changed my mind. I understand that most people would not like it, so I will show her how to switch them on and off. I wont get rid of them, but I can understand that most people aren't keen on it and will give her the possibility to switch them off if she's uncomfortable.

Show quote history

No, you haven't changed your mind. It is creepy and inappropriate to have cameras at all. When your kids get a few years older, it will be beyond weird to have them. If I were one of your friends, I'd refuse to visit the house and I wouldn't be surprised if people in your life start backing away as they realize what's going on.

As another person said, once there are cameras, it's impossible to trust that there aren't others or that they will be switched off.

I watch a lot of true crime and it's a cliche at this point that the creepy dad who has cameras in the house is the one who committed the crime. Normal people do not do this. It's a violation of not only the nanny's dignity but that of everyone else who comes into the house.

WickedWitchOfTheEast87 · 08/10/2023 15:52

I worked in schools, nurseries, as a nanny and I worked for social services we had cameras everywhere in social services and some schools except bathrooms and toilets of course and whilst it felt uncomfortable at first I quickly forgot they were there we all did.

The fact of the matter is when it comes to safeguarding a child and staff they're brilliant false allegations do happen a camera can prove the truth also its a known fact that anyone who wants a child to abuse will gain the parents trust before they do so then they get access to the children. I would have no problem with my employer having camera's so long as they were honest and told me they were there I would carry on as normal.

OP keep your camera's if that makes you feel secure my friend was burgled twice and they didn't just steal they trashed her house and went through all her private things she said she felt so violated she threw some stuff out because it made her skin crawl knowing a stranger had been touching them. Its your house its your rules if your nanny doesn't like it she can work somewhere else your child's safety is a higher priority than her issue.

As for other posters disagreeing with you would you really think your nanny's privacy is more of a priority than your child's safety if a burglar has broke in once they can do it again what if your child and the nanny were to come home and catch them in the act if that did happen again and got hurt.

Original poster
camerawomana · 08/10/2023 15:52

@Antst are you alright? That's a bit far fetched isn't it.

OP posts: