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TV on at pre-school - is this normal???

32 replies

pregnabrain · 20/02/2007 23:14

Hello
Have just started looking into pre-school options for dd. Went to see a place today and my general impression was really positive. But one thing bothered me. When I arrived I noticed that in one corner of the room the TV was on and that about half the kids were watching it.
I asked the main nursery worker what the TV was 'used for', thinking that maybe it was some sort of DVD designed for early learning, but she got really defensive and just said quickly, 'It's only on for 10-15 minutes in between activities'.
To be fair, they did switch it off after a short while and embarked on a seed planting activity but I couldn't help thinking it was quite weird.
I left wondering just how long it's REALLY on for, IYSWIM.
Does anyone know if this is common? Am I just being paranoid?
I'm quite strict about restricting access to TV at home and it seems a bit annoying that my hard work would be undone at nursery.
Thanks for all advice...

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foxtrot · 20/02/2007 23:17

There are no screens (TV or PC) at ours. Would definately put me off.

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pregnabrain · 20/02/2007 23:25

yeah, i'm really gutted about it. I can't get it out of my mind even though I really liked the place in many ways.

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Astrophe · 20/02/2007 23:30

My DDs nursery have dvds on for short times outside 'session' times, ie, NOT between 9-11.30am, or 1.30-3pm, but occasionally after dinner or late afternoon for those who stay all day. I'm not thrilled about it tbh, but its ok under those circumstances as its an all-day nursery.

I'd perhaps talk to them about it, but I'd try not to be put off by it if you were otherwise happy with the place. hth.

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wheresthehamster · 20/02/2007 23:35

10 - 15 minutes between activities? What are they setting up that takes that long?
Are they understaffed?
What's wrong with a game or a story?
Avoid like the plague.

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gegs73 · 21/02/2007 10:32

I'm not anti-tv in any way at home, but at pre-school it just seems abit odd. I would probably avoid.

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NotQuiteCockney · 21/02/2007 10:33

At the co-op, we have no tv. DS1's old preschool used to use telly if there was bad weather, instead of outside playtime. I wasn't really happy with this, but I didn't make a fuss, as it wasn't a general thing.

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pregnabrain · 21/02/2007 15:48

Thank you all for your comments. I've slept on it and it's still bothering me enough to stop me putting dd's name on the list.

It's such a shame coz the nursery's in the most beautiful location. The building is in the middle of cricket fields overlooking some woods (this is in London btw - those of you who aren't townies might find this less amazing ). It's got a really pretty garden for them to play in as well...

But then I suppose it makes it all the more weird that, on a warm day like yesterday, they had the doors to the garden closed and the TV blaring!

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Celery · 21/02/2007 16:06

My DD's preschool has a television in their lunch room. There is a morning session and an afternoon session, and some children stay all day and have their lunch there. The lunch hour is inbetween sessions, and after they've eaten, the children sit and watch a suitable video for 20 minutes or so. I don't have a problem with this, it's a quiet time, after lunch, for the children to sit quietly. Yes, they could just have a story time, or a lying on the mat time, but personally I don't mind them having a short TV session - it's only ever used in that short space between lunch and the next session starting. I wouldn't find it acceptable at any other time of the day.

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nurseryvoice · 21/02/2007 18:47

ours is like celery's
after lunch for 15 mins they can watch a video if they want to.
they have quiet time, reading times at other times in the day, but our nursery is open 730-6 so it is a very long day for some.

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handlemecarefully · 21/02/2007 18:50

Blimey a Pre-school session is usually just 2.5 hours - it's a bit sad that the staff can't keep the children absorbed for that long without resorting to tv.

I'd be put off too

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handlemecarefully · 21/02/2007 18:50

I think Nursery is a whole different board game to Pre-School

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handlemecarefully · 21/02/2007 18:50

lol, 'ball' game!

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DaffydDophus · 21/02/2007 18:51

There is a tv in my sons (horribly expensive) nursery (he's 2). I've been meaning to discuss how much they watch it as I'm not happy to be paying them to plonk him in fornt of a tv (that's whats home is for . They certainly do as he ha been singing the theme une to Bob the Builder rather endlessly and say 'ello Bob' to any man he seees in a hard hat.
He never watches Bob at home.

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Gobbledigook · 21/02/2007 18:53

Ds2 goes to the nursery attached to school - just afternoons. I know that both TV is used occasionally in both nursery and reception (in fact nursery adn reception often sit together to watch it). I think they just watch one episode of 'Come Outside'.

The school got it's Ofsted report back today and nearly every aspect was rated 1 - outstanding, a few 2 - good and an overall rating of 'outstanding'. So I ain't going to start complaining!

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moondog · 21/02/2007 18:59

Nowt wrong with a bit of tv.
It's not the work of the devil.
They have it on occasionally in ds's nursery and I am fine with that (and am a salt so very aware of implications of too much tv and effect on language and play)

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handlemecarefully · 21/02/2007 19:03

Agree it is not work of the devil...but it has no place in a 2.5 hours Pre School session.

For nurseries where a child is attending all day, it can provide valuable down time however

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twoisenoughmum · 21/02/2007 19:15

Pregnabrain - where in London? I think I recognise your description and would be happy to recommend that pre-school, if its the same one. At the pre-school I knew, the children really did not watch tv for very long. Although most children went there for a morning or afternoon session (of 3 hours) some did go all day (well, 6 hours at least) and the staff allowed them to watch a little tv when clearing up after lunch etc. And seed-planting activities - you really don't get that at every pre-school you know. .

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twoisenoughmum · 21/02/2007 19:16

Does is begin with a B and end with an S?

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nearlyfourbob · 21/02/2007 19:19

What's wrong with free play between activities? I know ds's preschool sometimes put a DVD on as a treat, they only had one TV and video between 10 centres so they only occasionally had the TV.

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FluffyMummy123 · 21/02/2007 19:19

Message withdrawn

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FluffyMummy123 · 21/02/2007 19:20

Message withdrawn

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twoisenoughmum · 21/02/2007 22:08

Are you there pregnabrain or have you def. decided against it?

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pregnabrain · 22/02/2007 10:45

Hello

Sorry, wasn't online last night for the first time in ages [mumsnet is ruining my marriage emoticon].

The place in question (you've got it in one twoisenoughmum) is a pre-school rather than a day nursery. They have two sessions, morning and afternoon, but most kids do both sessions i think.

I can see the value of having a bit of downtime after lunch, and if that involves TV then...whatever.

But this was def in mid-morning session.

Funnily enough, I spoke to a friend about it last night. She's taken her kid off the waiting list because she spoke to another friend who mentioned exactly the same problem and implied that there's a lot more TV than they're letting on.

twoisenoughmum - i really loved the seed planting and realise that it's probably quite unusual. That's why i'm torn!

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twoisenoughmum · 22/02/2007 13:32

Oh that's a shame. Will you drop them a line and let them know why you and your friend have decided against it? You might make them think again about allowing so much tv and that could only be a good thing.

(I know you've made your mind up but, really, it is a lovely place ... . My DS is no longer there but he was always very happy to go, running up the path, and full of chat and excitement when he came home. Having said that, I really didn't know tv was an issue there and I quite understand your pov).

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pregnabrain · 22/02/2007 16:42

I think I might just go back and have a frank discussion with them about it.

I also need to look at a few other nurseries to compare (although half the places i'm trying practically start laughing when I ask if I can get dd onto the waiting list ). It might be that when I compare it to others I find it's the best option, regardless of the TV. Only seen one other so far and that was dire.

Reassuring to hear that your son enjoyed his time there. How long was he there for? Did he go straight into school after or a school nursery?

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