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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

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 appliance (one-time)$0$49–$199/mo$937–$2,737
CareCam with new budget cameras$349 appliance + ~$40 PoE switch + $80–$150/camera$0 (self)$49–$199/mo$1,300–$3,400 (4 cameras)

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
DahuaIPC-HDW seriesYes
ReolinkRLC series, ArgusYes
AmcrestIP5M, IP8M seriesYes
UniFi (Ubiquiti)G3, G4, G5 seriesYes
Hanwha (Samsung)XNV, QNV seriesYes
AxisP32, P33 seriesYes
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 — budget models start around $50–$80.

How to set up CareCam yourself

No tools. No contractors. No scheduling window. Here's the full process.

  1. 1

    Find your camera's RTSP URL

    Every IP camera has a network address for its video stream. It's usually in the camera's settings menu or the manufacturer's documentation. Format: rtsp://[username]:[password]@[camera-ip]/stream

  2. 2

    Log into your CareCam dashboard

    Sign in at carecam.io. Go to Cameras and click Add Camera.

  3. 3

    Enter the RTSP URL

    Paste your camera's RTSP URL. CareCam tests the connection and shows a preview. Name the camera after the classroom.

  4. 4

    Create classrooms and assign cameras

    Create a classroom in CareCam (e.g., 'Infant Room', 'Toddler Room') and assign your camera to it.

  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

    Invite parents

    Enter each parent's email. They receive an invitation to create a free account. They can watch from any phone or browser during your approved hours.

Talk to us before you startSee plans

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 compatible brands: Hikvision, Dahua, Reolink, Amcrest, UniFi, Hanwha, and Axis. 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, Dahua, Reolink, Amcrest, UniFi, Hanwha, Axis); budget models start around $50–$80.
What if I don't know my camera's RTSP URL?
Look it up in your camera's settings menu (usually under Network or Video) or search '[your camera model] RTSP URL' — manufacturers publish these. If you're stuck, contact CareCam support and we'll help you find it.
Do I need a dedicated server or computer running?
Nothing you have to manage. CareCam includes a small pre-configured appliance (a low-power mini-PC, ~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. Budget IP cameras start around $50–$80 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.

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Prefer to talk it through? Call or text (302) 618-1550