Do I have to tell my babysitter about the camera?

The short answer: for video, no state requires you to. For audio, it depends on where you live. And in every state, telling them anyway is the smarter move. Here is how the pieces fit together.

Video and audio are covered by different laws

This surprises most parents. The camera on your shelf is really doing two legally separate things: capturing video and capturing audio.

Video recording inside your own home is legal in all 50 states, with one firm limit: never in places where anyone has a reasonable expectation of privacy. That means no cameras in bathrooms, changing areas, or a live-in caregiver's private bedroom, ever.

Audio is governed by wiretapping and eavesdropping laws, which are older, stricter, and vary by state. This is where consent comes in.

One-party vs. all-party consent

Most states are one-party consent states: only one person in a conversation needs to agree to it being recorded, and as the homeowner setting up the camera, you count. No notice to your babysitter is legally required.

A minority of states, including California, Florida, and a handful of others, are all-party consent states: everyone being recorded must agree. In practice, a simple heads-up before the first shift is usually all it takes, and continuing to work after being told is generally treated as consent.

Look up your state's exact rule in our plain-English guide, it covers all 50 states.

Why you should tell them even when the law doesn't require it

• It builds the right relationship. A babysitter who knows about the camera and takes the job anyway is exactly the babysitter you want. Secrecy breeds resentment if the camera is ever discovered; openness sets honest expectations from day one.
• It covers you everywhere. Once you have given notice, the one-party vs. all-party distinction stops mattering. One sentence makes you compliant in every state.
• It works better as a safety measure. Monitoring is at its best as a deterrent and a reassurance, not a trap. Knowing the home has a safety monitor keeps everyone's standards where they should be.

How to say it

Keep it factual and warm. Most parents find something like this works:

"One thing to know: we have a child safety monitor in the home. It picks up video and audio in the common areas, and it alerts us if the baby needs attention. It's about the baby, not about watching you."

Say it before the first shift, and consider adding one line to your caregiver agreement or a follow-up text so there is a record: "As we discussed, the home has a monitor that records video and audio."

The three rules that never change

1. Common areas only. Never bathrooms, changing areas, or a live-in caregiver's private room.
2. When in doubt, disclose. One sentence of notice satisfies even the strictest state.
3. Check your state before relying on audio. Our state-by-state lookup takes ten seconds.

This article covers United States law, is for general informational purposes only, and is not legal advice. Laws change and depend on your circumstances. If you are outside the US or unsure about your situation, consult a local attorney.