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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be annoyed with TV at preschool?

36 replies

treeshine · 12/01/2015 19:44

My pfb has just started nursery 3 mornings a week at a preschool which is part of a pre-prep of a private school. I turned up after lunch to pick her up and they were watching TV! The teacher said it is the norm if it rains and they can't play outside. I wasn't exactly thrilled at the news and feel maybe they could be doing something else instead? My dd is 3 so I am not expecting them to be learning or doing structured activities all day... but couldn't the kids be playing rather than all sat in front of the TV?

I am perfectly happy to accept if I am being unreasonable - but as this is my first experience with any of this (dd hasn't been to nursery or childminder etc before) I wanted to ask and see if this was normal.

OP posts:

meerschweinchen · 12/01/2015 19:46

Not normal at my son's preschool. Don't think they even have a TV.

Original poster

treeshine · 12/01/2015 19:47

Just in case it makes a difference they were watching CBeebies.

OP posts:

HairyOrk · 12/01/2015 19:47

Some TV is okay but tbh not at a pre-school. As a Nanny, I use the TV for my 3 year old charge about 20 minutes a day to give me time to sort out lunch and settle the baby for a nap but it's just me! Pre-school don't need distractions in order to take breaks try and get things done

YouTheCat · 12/01/2015 19:50

Using the tv for a wet playtime happens because there are less staff available as they have to have breaks too or are using the time to set up for the next activity.

As playtime isn't that long I don't see why it should be a problem.

Original poster

treeshine · 12/01/2015 19:51

This is what I thought. We try to limit screen time at home, but wasn't sure if I was being a bit pfb about it and maybe was normal at lunch break when raining.

OP posts:

BathshebaDarkstone · 12/01/2015 19:51

YANBU. I've never heard of a TV at a preschool.

Jengnr · 12/01/2015 19:52

Nope. I don't pay almost £50 a day for him to watch telly. He could do that at home.

dementedpixie · 12/01/2015 19:53

the nursery ours went to had waterproofs and wellies so they could go outside in all weathers. They didnt have a tv but did have a wii connected up to a smart board

Original poster

treeshine · 12/01/2015 19:56

That is also another thing. She has a uniform which included a (not cheap) storm proof coat and she has wellies at school too. It wasn't raining that hard today either.

OP posts:

catgirl1976 · 12/01/2015 19:57

YANBU

I wouldn't be happy about this at all. DS is 3 and at pre-school. The weather is awful here too but they either wrap them up well and get them outside or do some crafts, reading, painting or something. No TV. He watches enough of that at home

0ddsocks · 12/01/2015 19:57

I wouldn't expect a TV at a preschool or nursery, YANBU

fredfredgeorgejnr · 12/01/2015 20:00

You're paying for them to be there, why don't you ask the person you're paying what is happening?

There's nothing wrong, or right with them watching CBeebies, it's just a question of if you want to pay someone to provide that.

QTPie · 12/01/2015 20:00

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

lostscot · 12/01/2015 20:01

In school we often have a DVD at wet play if they can't get out, means everyone gets a lunch break as it's easier for lunch ladies to supervise large numbers. Often takes several weeks to finish it as it's only 20 mins or so after everyone's eaten. In small doses like this I wouldn't have a huge problem.

ChristmasMoaner1 · 12/01/2015 20:01

It was really windy/rainy here today so DDs pre school put on cbeebies instead of going outside. This is the second ever time they've put a TV on. (other time was during the Christmas party) Normally they put waterproof jackets and trousers on the kids and go out in all weathers. I wouldn't be happy if it was a regular thing and I don't even have to pay to send her there.

ChristmasMoaner1 · 12/01/2015 20:01

Basically I'm saying YANBU.

seaoflove · 12/01/2015 20:03

I send my daughter to preschool for some guaranteed non TV time! They don't have a TV. If it rains they just carry on playing inside.

morethanpotatoprints · 12/01/2015 20:03

They all have tvs in our area, but we don't have prep and pre prep though.
Even the private pre schools use them here, parents don't seem to mind.
They need the childcare and are happy if their dc are happy.
Plenty time for structure when they start school.

oobedobe · 12/01/2015 20:09

I would be very annoyed with this. No there is nothing wrong with TV but not during the time when you are paying them to supervise/play with/educate your children, storytime would be better if they need 15 mins quiet time. I find this very lazy behaviour from the staff - they have a room full of toys, crafts etc at their disposal! They should have a back up plan in case of bad weather - also they should also be prepared to go out in nearly all weather conditions, not teach children that they can't go out in a bit of rain.

We have some very bad weather where we live, sometimes it is too cold for the kids to play outside (-20) so they all go to the gym/hall and play games or with toys, not watch tv (they only get the very occasional short programme as a treat at the end of term) and this is 4-10 year olds.

cate16 · 12/01/2015 20:09

If it was very windy it may have been unsafe to go outside.

HungerKunstler · 12/01/2015 20:10

Nope, YANBU. My son's preschool doesn't even have a TV and if it rains the kids just play indoors.

Nanny0gg · 12/01/2015 20:15

Our Reception will sometimes put a CBeebies video on the interactive whiteboard if the weather is hideous.

At lunchtime little ones would be tired anyway (my DGC certainly is.) So if it's once in a blue moon is it the end of the world?

lorneylou · 12/01/2015 20:21

My DD's pre-school has a TV. It goes on at 11.45 and off at 12, all those doing the morning session get picked up in those 15 mins. They are all in coats and shoes waiting to go home when the tv goes on, along with the others who are staying for lunch.
The reason for the TV is that they are distracted during pick up time, usually there are tears because a friend is staying and they're not or if they are the last one to be collected, sometimes they get a bit worried that they have been forgotten. It actually works really well.
After 12 the staff have lunch with the children who are having lunch too, so tv doesn't cover staff break times.
Regarding wet weather, all kids go with waterproof coat and wellies, they only cancel outside play if the rain is heavy. Then they normally put on some music and have dancing and singing or play group games.
I'm more than happy with this but wouldn't be so pleased if they were using TV for much longer.

Fanfeckintastic · 12/01/2015 20:22

I turned up to this when it was raining too OP.

I'm not anti tv but there's so much else they could be doing, even just playing together inside, blocks, puzzles etc

I'm quite pissed off but otherwise they're good, she loves the teachers etc and they're really affordable and flexible when my hours in work change, were so helpful when I got the job etc. I hate that that's a sticking point but unfortunately it is.

Viviennemary · 12/01/2015 20:27

If it's only 20 minutes or so from time to time I can see the harm. But seems to be frowned on these days.

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