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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU and PFB to say no screen time at nursery

55 replies

Bambooshoots14 · 17/08/2015 18:37

DS (18 months) has been going to nursery since 8 months old and I'm generally very happy with it and he loves it.

They seem to be a bit understaffed over the holidays and a few evenings recently I have noticed the older room (2-3 years) watching a tablet when I've gone to pick him up, didn't notice this before so not sure if it's to keep them occupied due to less staff (I'm pretty sure ratios have been maintained though).

Tonight DS was in the older room also watching the tablet. There were 2 staff and 2 children so not because they were understaffed. He had a full blown tantrum when I made him come home. He watches tv/ phone at home, but limited time but still more than I'd like.

I've emailed nursery asking him not to watch it again because 1) I pay a lot of money for him to go there and don't want him just sat infront of a tablet, even if it is for 10 minutes before I pick him up 2) he watches enough tv (which I know I should cut down at home too) and its not advised for under 2s

I feel very PFB but pleAse tell me if I was being unreasonable?

OP posts:

WoodenPegs · 17/08/2015 18:43

Why don't you ask them about how they use / monitor screen time in nursery first, rather than going straight in with a ban?

VeryEarlyDays · 17/08/2015 18:44

my DS is a similar age so I might be being pfb too but I think yanbu. Screen time is not recommended for under 2s. If there was 1:1 staff and they wanted to do some quieter activity surely they could read to them?
I'd do the same as you with the exception that I'd talk face to face always easier to get your point across and not seem crazy that way

Hellionandfriends · 17/08/2015 18:47

Yes I agree with you. They should be reading stories or playing

Original poster

Bambooshoots14 · 17/08/2015 18:47

agreed but I didn't want them to think I was critisicing them and emailing seemed less direct I'm a wimp

OP posts:

Fatmomma99 · 17/08/2015 18:49

How long is the nursery day? If it's open at 8am and they have children right through til 6 (even if not the same children) then that's a v long day for young children (and the staff), and I understand why they might want some winding down time at the end???

ApocalypseThen · 17/08/2015 18:55

I'd be just the same. A child of that age doesn't need screen time to wind down. The staff at nursery should have sufficient training that they can engage a child without resorting to tablets.

NoraRobertsismyguiltypleasure · 17/08/2015 19:03

That's just lazy. I used to work in a nursery and it doesn't matter how long the day is - nursery workers are trained professionals and should be able to occupy children from start to finish, especially under 2s. Even as a nanny I was a lot stricter than the parents with regards screen time because if someone is paying me to take care of and entertain their child/ren then I should be doing it not relying on a screen.

SolasEile · 17/08/2015 19:07

Wouldn't have emailed as face-to-face conversation is always better to avoid any misunderstanding but yes I would definitely question my son's preschool if they used screen time. I'm not paying them all that money so they can stick him in front of a screen!

Especially at only 18 months old when they ideally shouldn't be getting any screen time. If they are trained in child development they should know that.

catgirl1976 · 17/08/2015 19:44

My DS is at pre-school and has been at nursery since he was 5 months old. He is there from half eight to half five and they have never got a tablet or TV out.

YANBU. I would be annoyed and would say something. It's lazy and not what you are paying them for.

Screen time at home is down to you. It can be a godsend and my DS watches more than he should ideally but I wouldn't want him doing it at nursery.

MovedByFanciesThatAreCurled · 17/08/2015 19:48

I honestly wouldn't send my child to a nursery who used tablets. So, YADNBU.

mummyfumble · 17/08/2015 19:52

It would annoy me, I have to use stuff like that to keep DS busy when I'm working or busy or whatever, but I don't expect it if I'm paying someone to look after him.

Original poster

Bambooshoots14 · 17/08/2015 20:12

He's there 8-6 ish sometimes pick him up earlier. They work in shifts so those that start at 7.45 don't work until 6.

I've not seen it before in the year he's been there just the last couple of weeks

Glad I'm not being unreasonable (apart from maybe the email instead of face to face)

Didn't want to be 'that parent' as I've also said can he have fruit/ yogurt instead of cakes/ crumble/ ice cream etc as they have 2 puddings a day (plus breakfast and 2 snacks) and ds is on the porkier side. probably doesn't help they let him have 3 weetabix for breakfast!

OP posts:

Heels99 · 17/08/2015 20:15

You will look back on this and laugh

NeedSpeed · 17/08/2015 20:17

I agree with you. I would be seriously annoyed if my LO's nursery did that

RiverTam · 17/08/2015 20:18

I wouldn't, Heels. I don't pay good money to professional childcarers for that kind of thing. Luckily it never happened in DD's nursery but I'd be kicking up a fuss.

PunkrockerGirl · 17/08/2015 20:20

What Heels said.

munchkinmaster · 17/08/2015 20:22

I recall viewing a nursery I really didn't like and they had a shelf of DVDs and explained it was for 20 mins to break up the long day. But they were all movies. Surely you'd buy a Thomas DVD for a 20 min prog not plop them down for just enough time for elsa to let it go and then turn off?

Anyway, I decided against that nursery for lots of reasons and that was just that one.

RiverTam · 17/08/2015 20:22

Just read your post about the puddings, I'd be unimpressed by thst as well! Could you move him to a different nursery?

OddBoots · 17/08/2015 20:23

By watching do you mean there was a television programme on it or was there an activity the children were doing?

munchkinmaster · 17/08/2015 20:24

I should explain. I was against DVDs in nursery full stop and thought the evidence of feature length films meant they were bull shitting about 20 mins.

I felt the DVDs were a marker of shitty, can't be bothered attitude.

TheNewStatesman · 17/08/2015 20:28

"You will look back on this and laugh"

Bollock. It is a lazy, slack attitude. It is not what I would expect if I am paying an alleged professional to care for my child.

munchkinmaster · 17/08/2015 20:29

You know with the pudding stuff. I'd seriously think about a move. It's more thoughtless, can't be bothered attitude. Seriously in these days of obesity etc what kind of nursery has no healthy eating policy!

So whilst I wouldn't move out a nursery over ice cream per se I would move out if the ice cream was a marker of lazy, thoughtless attitudes.

But I'm a harsh grumpy fucker tonight.

morelikeguidelines · 17/08/2015 20:36

Yanbu. Especially at that age. Also, somehow it being a tablet seems worse than a bigger screen that the whole room can see - must be worse for eye sight, surely?

Artandco · 17/08/2015 20:41

I agree. Why does anyone need TV to relax? We don't own a TV and mine manage to relax throughout the day doing other stuff.

At 18 months I would be expecting them to be reading them stories or general playing in the last 30 mins. Not full on craft and baking or anything, but a box of wooden bricks and toy dinosaurs or something

Gwenci · 17/08/2015 20:52

YANBU op. As others have said, nursery is expensive and I'd be peeved if DD's nursery we're sitting them in front of a screen to entertain them. It's lazy and not what I'd expect in a professional childcare setting.

I usually find someone reading with DD when I pick her up. Much better way to wind down at the end of a busy afternoon.

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