AIBU watching iPad at nursery

[EbBb1991]

Picked my 20 month son up from nursery today and all the kids sitting together watching an iPad. One staff member sitting with the kids others seemed to be cleaning up ornin other room. This wasn’t at the end of the day was 4.20 so still another hour until usual pick up time. They were watching nursery rhymes. I feel if they want music this should be played on a music device and the kids shouldn’t all be sitting watching and iPad. Im tempted to contact the nursery and express my concern.

What exactly is your concern?

We have exactly this in DS's nursery. I raised it with them a couple of times because it was making him obsess about mine when at home which I didn't like and although I understand they do need time to tidy before the end of the day it was getting really regular during nice weather when they could be outside.
They now use it only when the weather's really bad and the children are a bit over wrought and they put it high enough that none of them can watch it directly, it's more of a music player.

My DS goes to a childminder who has 3 children on her own plus her own 3 as well after school. She doesn’t need to use an iPad to entertain them while she tidys up.

Screen time is a no no for me in a childcare setting. The only way I would be happy with it was if DS were ill and he was waiting for me to collect him.

My concern is that screen time is a descision usually made by parents. I am paying £45 a day for my son to be in child care to grow and develop through play, activities, music songs books etc. Interacting with children and childcare workers playing a key role in all of these things. I don’t think sitting watching an iPad promotes child development in children of his age.

My DS's nursery does this occasionally. I don't mind because he's there 10 hours on work days, and it seems reasonable to let them sit on a bean bag and watch The Wiggles for 15 minutes.

If he was attending a 3 hour session I i wuld be keen.no though.

I used to childmind, and trust me, there is a point when all the children are tired from all the playing, the creating, the dancing and signing, the books and stories. There are some lovely books and stories on YouTube, and I used to give them a few minutes a day (maybe what, 15 minutes a day?) to chill together. I am linking to what we used to watch, just in case you want to check the kind of things we used to watch:

Many children can get upset towards the end of the day, when they see other children being picked up and they are waiting for their parents. It's a nice way to cool down from the day. I'm only saying that it's fine if it's fine if you speak to them and ask how long they are watching it, and what they are actually watching.

I feel if they want music this should be played on a music device

They did play it on a music device

The first time I collected DS and he was watching TV I felt similar to you OP, I was surprised and initially unhappy about it. Then when I thought about it, I realised he's there for such a long day. He's constantly running about, playing, learning, singing and creating so to have an hour watching a film at the end of the day is a great way to unwind after tea if you ask me!

Perhaps I am being a little unreasonable. I would like to know however how much time he is spending watching iPad at nursery. I am strict at home with screen time with my older daughter and it’s not something I allow my son to have yet at home.

Nope, I wouldn’t like this. DD was at nursery for nearly 3 years and there were no screens ever. Completely unnecessary,

I wouldn't be happy with this. What's wrong with just singing songs or reading stories in a circle?

Some children are there for 10 hours. They'll have had stories and books, outdoor time, cuddles, food, art, craft, running round, dressing up and what not. 10 hours of being occupied. It's nice to have a few minutes of down time no?

Yes, DD was at nursery 8-6. Still no screens. Plenty of downtime, just not involving screens.