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Preschool camera system

Give preschool parents a secure live view of their child's classroom

CareCam lets preschools offer enrolled parents a private live stream of their child's classroom — with full control over who watches and when. Works with cameras most programs already own.

Set up CareCam at your preschoolView pricing

Why preschool programs offer parent camera access

  • Enrollment and retention advantage

    Over half of parents surveyed say they would prioritize a preschool that offers camera access. Programs that offer it report easier enrollment conversations and fewer families leaving mid-year.

  • Transparency builds lasting trust

    Parents who can see how the day is going — nap routines, group activities, lunch — are more confident in your program and more likely to refer others.

  • Fewer anxious parent interruptions

    The first weeks of preschool are emotionally hard for families. A live view reduces the volume of "is she okay?" calls during the school day.

  • Differentiate from competing programs

    Most preschools in a given area don't offer live camera access. The ones that do stand out clearly during tours and open houses.

How CareCam works in a preschool setting

  1. 1

    Connect your classroom cameras

    CareCam uses RTSP — the standard protocol on IP cameras from brands like Hikvision, Dahua, Reolink, and Amcrest. Enter the RTSP URL for each camera in the CareCam dashboard. If your cameras are already installed, you likely don't need new hardware.

  2. 2

    Create classroom rooms

    Set up each classroom in CareCam: Pre-K, Kindergarten, Toddler Room, etc. Assign the corresponding camera stream to each room.

  3. 3

    Set viewing hours

    Define when parents can access live streams. Most preschools match their operating hours. Outside those times, the feed is inactive.

  4. 4

    Invite enrolled families

    Add each parent's email in the dashboard. CareCam sends them an invitation. They create their account and can only view the classroom their child attends.

Privacy and access controls built for preschool programs

  • Parents see only their child's enrolled classroom
  • You control viewing hours — off outside those times
  • No audio streaming by design
  • No recording or replay for parents
  • No public camera links — every stream is login-gated
  • Remove or restrict any parent's access instantly

For state-specific compliance considerations, see our guide on daycare camera privacy laws.

Preschool camera system questions

Do preschools really use live cameras for parents?
A growing number do. According to industry surveys, over half of parents would choose a preschool with parent-view cameras over one without — even for a slightly longer commute. Programs that offer camera access tend to have stronger enrollment retention and fewer anxious parent calls.
What cameras work with CareCam in a preschool?
Any IP camera that supports RTSP streaming. Common brands used in preschool settings include Hikvision, Dahua, Reolink, and Amcrest. If your cameras are already installed, there's a good chance you don't need new hardware.
Can a parent see every classroom or just their child's?
Just their child's classroom. CareCam is enrollment-based — parents are assigned to the specific rooms their child attends. They cannot browse other classrooms.
Does CareCam record footage for parents?
No. CareCam is live-only streaming for parents. There's no playback, archive, or recording feature for enrolled families. This simplifies consent and reduces liability.
How does a preschool control when parents can watch?
You set the viewing hours in the CareCam dashboard. Outside those hours, the stream is turned off entirely. Most preschools match their operational hours, such as 7am–6pm on weekdays.
How much does a preschool camera system cost?
CareCam plans start at $29/month (up to 4 cameras) and go up to $99/month (up to 24 cameras). If you have compatible IP cameras already installed, you pay only the software subscription. New cameras, if needed, typically run $80–$200 each.

Ready to offer camera access at your preschool?

Plans start at $29/month. Works with most cameras you already have. Parents watch for free.

Talk to us about setupCompare plans and pricing