Text us
CareCam
Talk to Us
Menu

No installation required

Add parent camera access to your daycare, without calling an installer

Most childcare camera platforms require a professional installation costing $500–$3,000 and a weeks-long scheduling wait. CareCam doesn't. If you have IP cameras already, we ship you a pre-configured appliance. Plug it in, and most centers are live the day it arrives.

Check if your cameras workSee pricing
Diagram of a four-room CareCam setup. PoE cameras in the infant room, toddlers, pre-K and playground connect by Cat6 cable to a PoE switch, then to your router. The CareCam appliance plugs into the router with one Cat6 cable, and parents watch live on their phones and computers through the CareCam cloud.
Example setup for four rooms. Tap the diagram to open it full size, and keep it handy during installation.

Why does installation cost so much with other platforms?

Enterprise childcare camera platforms bundle software with proprietary hardware. When you sign up, you're buying their cameras, which require their technicians to mount, wire, and configure. That installation fee is part of the business model.

CareCam takes the opposite approach: a small appliance (~8 watts) plus your existing cameras. Your cameras stay on the wall where they are. You enter their network credentials in the CareCam dashboard. The platform handles the rest.

The real cost of "free" installation: Some vendors offer "free" installation but lock you into a 3-year contract at a high monthly fee. Always calculate the total 3-year cost, not just the upfront number.

Cost comparison: installation vs no installation

ApproachHardwareInstallMonthlyYear 1 total
Enterprise platform (e.g. WatchMeGrow)$3,500–$4,500$500–$2,000+Quote only$6,000–$10,000+
CareCam with existing camerasCameras you own + $349 $49 appliance (one-time)$0$99–$199/mo$1,237–$2,437
CareCam with new budget cameras$349 $49 appliance + ~$40 PoE switch + $56/camera$0 (self)$99–$199/mo$1,501–$2,701 (4 cameras)

Hardware ranges and 1-year totals are USD market estimates.

Which cameras work with CareCam

Any IP camera that supports RTSP is compatible. These are the most common brands found in daycare facilities:

BrandCommon modelsCareCam compatible
HikvisionDS-2CD seriesYes
AnpvizBudget-friendly, NDAA-compliantYes
UniFi (Ubiquiti)G3, G4, G5 seriesYes
Hanwha (Samsung)XNV, QNV seriesYes
AxisP32, P33 seriesYes
DahuaIPC-HDW series: works, but we recommend Hikvision/Anpviz/UniFi/Hanwha for new purchasesYes
ReolinkRLC series, Argus: works, but we recommend Hikvision/Anpviz/UniFi/Hanwha for new purchasesYes
AmcrestIP5M, IP8M series: works, but we recommend Hikvision/Anpviz/UniFi/Hanwha for new purchasesYes
Analog / coax DVRAny DVR-only setupNo, needs upgrade

Cameras that don't work with CareCam

Consumer "smart home" cameras keep their video locked inside the manufacturer's own app and cloud. They don't expose an RTSP or ONVIF stream for other software to connect to. These are not compatible:

BrandWhy it doesn't work
Google NestLocked to the Nest / Google Home app, no RTSP or ONVIF output for other software.
Blink (Amazon)Battery cloud cameras; video is only available inside the Blink app, no RTSP.
Ring (Amazon)Cloud-only doorbells and cameras with no local RTSP or ONVIF stream.
ArloCloud-managed; current models don't expose a reliable local RTSP stream.
WyzeApp / cloud-first; its RTSP firmware is unofficial, deprecated, and unreliable.

Using one of these? You'll need to add a standard IP/ONVIF security camera (any compatible brand above) for the classrooms you want parents to see. A compatible PoE model costs about $56.

How CareCam gets set up

No tools. No contractors. No scheduling window. Your part takes minutes, and we handle the camera setup remotely.

  1. 1

    Plug in the appliance

    Your pre-configured appliance arrives ready to go. Plug it into power and your network, next to your NVR or router. Nothing is opened to the internet.

  2. 2

    Send us your camera logins

    Share the username and password for your cameras or NVR. You don't need to look up stream addresses or change any settings.

  3. 3

    We connect your cameras remotely

    We find each camera, test the stream, and confirm a preview with you, usually the same day the appliance arrives.

  4. 4

    Name your classrooms

    Tell us which camera covers which room (e.g., 'Infant Room', 'Toddler Room'). You can rename or reassign rooms from your dashboard any time.

  5. 5

    Set viewing hours

    Define the hours parents can access the stream. Most centers use operating hours, for example, 7am–6pm weekdays.

  6. 6

    Approve parent access

    Parents create their own free account and request access. You approve each request from the dashboard, and they can watch from any phone or browser during your approved hours.

Talk to us before you startSee pricing

Setup questions

Can I set up daycare camera software myself without an installer?
Yes. CareCam connects to your existing IP cameras over your local network, no cabling, no low-voltage contractor, no installation appointment. We ship you a small pre-configured appliance; you plug it into your network and we finish the setup remotely. Most centers are live the day the appliance arrives, typically about a week after signing up.
Why do other platforms require professional installation?
Enterprise platforms like WatchMeGrow sell proprietary hardware that requires their technicians to mount, wire, and configure. This creates a revenue stream for the vendor and a large upfront cost for the center. CareCam only provides software. It works with cameras you already own.
What cameras are compatible with CareCam?
Any IP camera that supports RTSP streaming. The most common recommended brands: Hikvision, Anpviz, UniFi, and Hanwha. If your cameras are connected to a network (not just a coax DVR), they almost certainly support RTSP.
Do Google Nest, Blink, Ring, or other consumer cameras work?
No. Consumer cloud cameras, Google Nest, Blink, Ring, Arlo, and Wyze, keep their video locked inside the manufacturer's own app and cloud, and don't expose an RTSP or ONVIF stream for other software to read. CareCam connects over RTSP, so these aren't compatible. For parent viewing, use a standard IP/ONVIF security camera (Hikvision, Anpviz, UniFi, or Hanwha); a compatible PoE model costs about $56.
Do I need to know my camera's RTSP URL?
No. Once the appliance is plugged in, we find your cameras on the network and connect them remotely. All we need from you is each camera's (or the NVR's) username and password.
Do I need a dedicated server or computer running?
Nothing you have to manage. CareCam includes a small preconfigured appliance (silent, about 8 watts, no monitor or keyboard) that we ship you. Plug it into your network and power. Updates and monitoring are handled remotely by CareCam.
What about analog cameras on a DVR?
Analog cameras on a coax DVR don't support RTSP streaming directly. You'd need to either add a hybrid NVR/DVR that supports network access, or replace the analog cameras with IP cameras. A compatible PoE IP camera costs about $56 each.
How long does setup actually take?
Your hands-on time is minutes: plug the appliance into your network and power. It ships pre-configured and typically arrives within a week of signup. We connect your cameras remotely, the main information we need from you is each camera's credentials, and most centers are live the same day the appliance arrives.

Skip the installer

Skip the installer, see if your cameras qualify

Tell us your camera brand and we'll confirm you can set up CareCam yourself, no contractor, no site visit. We reply by email, usually within one business day.

Free for parents · No spam · We reply by email