A few weeks ago I caught the last few seconds of a news report about worried parents who plant cameras in teddies and cushions so they can spy on their nanny. With webcams and tiny cameras the technology is affordable and easy to access.

I must say that I find this a worrying trend. Once you have gone down the road of cameras the suggestion is that you have lost trust in the person looking after your children - and trust is the most important element of your relationship with a nanny.

If you have done your background checks and gone through references, and also carried out an extensive interview you have to be confident in your choice. If you then pick up on problems then you need to discuss this in the open with your nanny. If you are going to spend time spying with a camera you might as well have stayed at home.

I know that I would not have been happy with any boss who decided to spy on me and immediately any trust you thought there was in the relationship would be broken.

Remember that if you have gone through the selection process properly there will be no need to resort to underhand tactics.