Babysitter surveillance is becoming more and more popular these days. Many families use babysitters and nannies because it is often more affordable than day care. It also allows children to stay in the comfort of their own home where they can play with their own toys and sleep in their own beds. Although many parents go through an intense interview and selection process for the best babysitter or nanny they still have an uneasy feel about entrusting their children's lives with this individual. This is why the nanny cam or babysitter hidden camera comes in to play.

These cameras offer parents the peace of mind that they need when it comes to leaving their children with strangers. Parents set up wireless web cameras throughout the house and are able to simply login with a username and password from any Internet computer. So, if you have an office job you can simply login on your office computer and watch your child play, eat lunch and take a nap. If you are a full-time student you can login on your laptop or the library computer between classes to check in on your child during the day. This allows parents to see that their children are safe and being treated appropriately.

Some babysitters and nannies are even offering the babysitter or nanny cam as a part of their service. They provide parents with the camera, turn it on themselves and parents are able to check in whenever they wish. This is a great selling point for the nanny or babysitter and it allows the parent to have some control.

Cameras can either be concealed or prominently mounted. Those babysitters who provide the camera themselves generally opt for the camera that they can sit in the kitchen and give the parents a view of the kitchen and the living room where the child will be playing. Other parents may wish to conceal the cameras themselves and not alert the babysitter or nanny at all to the fact that they are being watched. It is completely up to the parents as to how they wish to set the hidden cameras up. Cameras come in a wide variety of normal, everyday objects such as clock radios, wall clocks, books, plants and more. They cameras are about the size of a quarter or even a pinpoint. They are easy to setup and are no harder to operate than your DVD player.

One of the most popular hidden cameras are the clock radios. These can be set up next to the child's bed, in the playroom or even in the kitchen. The camera plugs into the wall like a normal clock and a wireless receiver is attached to the VCR. Families are able to tape up to 9 hours of nanny video time via their VCR. They can also work in conjunction with your DVR, or digital video recorder. These systems are able to hold several more hours of video and work with a simple software program or wireless web cam. They are also able to send live images to a cell phone or work computer making these very useful for working parents.

The interest in nanny cams rose around 2004. According to a Parks Associates researcher in Dallas, about 39% of US households with at least one child were expressing interest in incorporating a nanny cam into their home. The interest has sparked, as more and more parents are concerned about caregivers neglecting children or even abusing them. Parents want to be certain that their children are taken care of properly because they are paying good money for a nanny or babysitter to do so.

Some parents have the cameras just in case they feel something is not quite right with their babysitter. They don't want to videotape the sitter, but if they are wondering what is really going on while they are away from home they can turn the camera on. Parents can then watch the video or check in regularly and if everything seems fine then they are put at ease. Nanny cams help parents adjust to leaving their child with a stranger and allow them to get to know the babysitter better. They are able to see their daily routines and ensure that their child is receiving the attention they require.

If you are interested in a nanny cam or babysitter hidden cameras then it is wise to look at your options. These systems are not as expensive as they once were and are all wireless. This allows you the flexibility to set up the cameras wherever you feel you need to and they are simple to use. These cameras give you a sense of security and control, as you are able to see what your child is doing on a daily basis and ensure that your nanny or babysitter is doing their job right.