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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

..to make a complaint to nursery

81 replies

JarethTheGoblinKing · 24/12/2011 23:07

I know it's Christmas, but all the other threads are about stockings and presents and MILs, so thought's I'd interject with a non-festive thread Xmas Wink

Rightho...

DS was a preschool on Friday. When I picked him up his key worker told me they'd been watching films all day. They watched at least 3 films (I think it was 4 but unsure. Definitely 3+) and some peppa pig. Apparently they didn't do anything else all day.

When I queried this, she said 'Oh, they were all chilled, it's a treat... last day before Christmas and everything'.

Xmas Hmm

Now. I am NOT averse to TV at preschool. They watch TV for 20 mins or so after lunch and dinner, and that's fine as far as I'm concerned.

6 hours of TV in one day though? Was v perplexed about it tbh. She kept insisting that they kids didn't want to do anything else? Um...well 4yo DS would watch CBeebies all bloody day if I let him, but I don't.

So..1 or 2 films on last day of term would have been fine with me. 4 equalling entire day is not. Do I complain or not?

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 24/12/2011 23:13

What harm exactly do you think it will have done to him??

south345 · 24/12/2011 23:16

Did they get a choice though? Were other activities there to do if they wanted to have a wander?

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 24/12/2011 23:16

Ah well, of course he came to no actual harm, but if you were entrusting the care of your child to somebody else while you were at work, would it be OK for them to spend 7 out of the 8 hours they were with them parked in front of the TV?

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workshy · 24/12/2011 23:17

I wouldn't worry -when mine were at pre school and they had the tv on they would also have the option of doing other things

it was the last day of term, everyone tired and on wind down -just let it go

GooKingWenceslas · 24/12/2011 23:17

You know they don't do it all the time, just forget about it.

I don't think our nursery have a telly. I'm glad.

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 24/12/2011 23:19

No choice - "they were all very chilled out and just wanted to watch TV, so we just let them"

I would like to say that this nursery is normally very very good, I have no complaints otherwise, I bought lovely presents for DS keyworkers, I get on with them well and I agree with how they dothings, and how they apply discipline etc.

Was different on Friday though - no senior people in sight, just the assistants. Got the feeling they were on the skive tbh.

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ScarfOfSexualPreference · 24/12/2011 23:19

I don't know if it will have harmed in any way, but a bit sad that they couldn't have done something nice and Christmassy, or something different like a play or something! I used to work in a nursery and we got the kids all dressed up on the last day and let them make up their own plays! A treat doesn't have to be sitting on your backside all day. I wonder if this was something more for the staff than the children!

thepeoplesprincess · 24/12/2011 23:19

I've surprised myself by agreeing with you actually. I get that they'd want a "fun" day on the last day of term, but shirley a disco or group games would've been preferable.

Six hours of telly is pretty fucking long time.

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 24/12/2011 23:21

Would like to reiterate at this point - I have no problem with them allowing appropriate amounts of TV. I like that they do it, I think it gives them a decent amount of down time when they're running around like crazy people.

Would also like to emphasise that there were no other activities. If TV is on all day DS will eventually get bored and do drawing/playmo or something. He, according to the person looking after him, spent the entire day sitting down.

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Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 24/12/2011 23:24

Sorry, x posts.

I'm not worried about the nursery at all in general... but I have noticed the TV is on more often than it should be.

Gah, I'm going to get accused of drip-feeding now, aren't I Xmas Wink

Just working it out really. I will most likely mention it to somebody there, as I'm not keen on it happening again. I don't want anybody disciplined or anything, as it is a one off and it was the last day before Christmas etc.

I remember having a film on the last day of term and being allowed to bring in toys etc.. fine.

6-7 hours of tv.. surely not? Xmas Hmm

OP posts:
BlissfulMistletoe · 24/12/2011 23:25

what is the problem, nursery these day are damned if they do and damned if they dont.

this is why i gave up working with children, because of the parents.

the run up to christmas is very stressful, with making christmas card, calenders, plays and other festive things...while still meeting with the guidelines ofstead/ Estyn regarding education.

so no i would not complain

mercibucket · 24/12/2011 23:26

It's the same at school so either start as you mean to go on and complain each and evry year or just relax and let it slide

mercibucket · 24/12/2011 23:26

It's the same at school so either start as you mean to go on and complain each and evry year or just relax and let it slide

GooKingWenceslas · 24/12/2011 23:28

It was a skive for the staff, but I think I'd let it go. It's pre-school, and one day.

thepeoplesprincess · 24/12/2011 23:28

I hear you Blissful. Those bastard parents daring to have an opinion on what you do with their kids all day whilst they're off earning the money to pay your wages. Ignorant cunts.

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 24/12/2011 23:29

What, they put films on for an entire day for the last day of school? Really?

Bollocks.

OP posts:
Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 24/12/2011 23:30

GooKing - that's what I'm thinking. Exactly that.

I worry that the amount of TV is increasing, and a quiet word or something might be more appropriate.

I think I'm doing AIBU wrong.. should I bugger off and let it descend into a bunfight Xmas Wink

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nailak · 24/12/2011 23:32

My dd in reception had cbeebies on and films on in the afternoon from Mon to wed, but they also had a fair thing where the parents could pick them up early Nd take them to.

BlissfulMistletoe · 24/12/2011 23:35

thepeopleprincess, perhaps it was the best thing that i did leave that type of work then.

mercibucket · 24/12/2011 23:36

Well maybe bollocks but I'm assuming it takes quite a while to watch 3 films and my children saying 'we watched films all day' while not strictly accurate is indeed borne out by the 3 films thing
So yes, they do
Why they bothered keeping them in til friday when I could have had them at home doing similar is another thread

mercibucket · 24/12/2011 23:36

Well maybe bollocks but I'm assuming it takes quite a while to watch 3 films and my children saying 'we watched films all day' while not strictly accurate is indeed borne out by the 3 films thing
So yes, they do
Why they bothered keeping them in til friday when I could have had them at home doing similar is another thread

meditrina · 24/12/2011 23:37

My DCs (now well beyond nursery age!) did plenty of sitting round like slugs in front of DVDs at home and I wouldn't be wildly impressed by a nursery doing the same. But it doesn't matter as a one off end of term treat (though I'd have expected it to be leavened by something more active too, in the interests of a balanced day. And unless they've got a damned good explanation (like winding down before nap time, keeping the non-hapless calm whilst others sleep, or something selected to tie in with theme of the week, then I wouldn't be too impressed with it as a regular activity either.

BandOMothers · 24/12/2011 23:39

As long as they had a proper Christmas party too, I see no harm.

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 24/12/2011 23:40

mercibucket

"Well maybe bollocks but I'm assuming it takes quite a while to watch 3 films and my children saying 'we watched films all day' while not strictly accurate is indeed borne out by the 3 films thing"

DS didn't tell me - his keyworker did. She told me 4 films. DS told me 3 films and some peppa pig. I know that they watched 3 films.

"Why they bothered keeping them in til friday when I could have had them at home doing similar is another thread"

It's a private nursery and I was at work...

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Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 24/12/2011 23:42

Band
"As long as they had a proper Christmas party too, I see no harm."

They did, last week - and it was bloody brilliant. DS loved it. As I said, I have no problem with the nursery in general.

I do feel that this was a one off.. but I also feel that if this attitude is there, then when the bosses are away then the telly will go on... I don't know.. I don't pay £42 for DS to sit in front of the frigging TV..

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