Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
Bambooshoots14 · 17/08/2015 20:53

They do lots of great stuff (with pictures to show they have) and he's so happy there I wouldn't move him. They buy new toys/ activities every 6 weeks to go with their 'theme'. Not sure why they have the tablet now

It was a video on the tablet not an activity

The rest of the food is generally healthy as we have the rolling 4 week menu. Apparently they are re doing the menu so will be interested to see what's on there

OP posts:
Original poster
Bambooshoots14 · 17/08/2015 20:55

gwenci that's what they are normally doing which is what i obviously prefer. He is a proper bookworm so would happily do that

OP posts:
IfAtFirstUDontSucceed · 17/08/2015 20:59

I'd be pretty pissed off if DS was just watching TV at nursery. It never even crossed my mind that some nurseries would consider this an activity?

My DS has two long days and is often one of the last to be picked up. I've always gone in to see them doing wind-down activities such as singing, reading a book, drawing etc. or even just seeing the lone nursery worker doing a bit of paperwork while the one or two children left play with the toys.

Nursery is expensive, so you'd expect some quality activities from trained nursery staff with your child all day.

icelollycraving · 17/08/2015 21:01

Ds was in nursery from 11 months & finished recently to start his holiday club. He never watched TV at nursery. I would have had plenty to say on it,it's lazy. I have always let ds watch CBeebies etc but I would be really pissed off to be paying for that at nursery.
There is TV at his holiday/after school club which I'm not over the moon with in honesty but I pick my battles now. They have a wider age range & he has a lot more physical activity there than he's used to so a bit of TV to wind down isn't the end of the world. At nursery age & prices,absolutely not.

trilbydoll · 17/08/2015 21:04

A tablet isn't the same as tv, DD is never as absorbed in tv as she used to get with the iPad - the distance must be something to do with it!

Yanbu, DD is so much better behaved since we stopped her using the iPad, I'd be horrified if I found her watching one at nursery - and also asking why they hated me so much they wanted to destroy bedtime Grin

RiverTam · 17/08/2015 21:19

Why do they need to keep buying new toys? Unless they are a new nursery that seems highly unimaginative to me.

cleanindahouse · 17/08/2015 21:21

I'm with heels.

nottheOP · 17/08/2015 21:43

It is in the eyfs to be computer literate but as an older kid. DS loves anything computery and I hate it when their cbeebies computer is on its rotation.

I'd have said something before 2 though. Pfb isn't always a bad thing!

Saltedcaramel2014 · 17/08/2015 21:53

I'm with you. Your DC is still very young, and as you say it's not recommended for under 2s. Plus as pps point out childcare costs a fortune, and you should be happy with what you're paying for. I raise issues with nursery very occasionally by email, I don't see the problem with that - it gives the staff time to talk and work out a response in line with nursery policy rather than putting anyone on the spot.

Hoviscats · 17/08/2015 22:10

To be honest, I can't get that excited about 20 mins of TV but I know others can so probably just depends on your own opinion.

As for the puddings, I would say that before you make a judgement about the cakes and puddings it is worth talking to the cook there (assuming you haven't already).

I got to know the cook at DS' nursery pretty well and although there were cakes and puddings every day they were v reduced sugar and mostly included vegetables (butternut squash, courgette, sweet potato etc) so were not entirely as they sounded! I can vouch that they didn't taste v sweet as she often snuck extras in DS' bag as he was a favourite!!

littone · 17/08/2015 22:12

Munchkin master, I avoided a nursery for the sale reason. I didn't like the fact that the last 20 minutes was spent watching DVDs and the shelf was full of films! The nursery we chose for all three cd does t have any!

Original poster
Bambooshoots14 · 17/08/2015 22:22

Thank you all. I'll see what nursery say and update :)

OP posts:
CoffeeTwo · 17/08/2015 22:26

Yanbu. I'm very relaxed about screen time at home but wouldn't be happy if ds was watching TV at nursery. He has other children to play with, a huge variety of toys, lots of books, there's just no need for it.

PunkrockerGirl · 18/08/2015 06:32

Heels is right. You will look back on this and laugh. Your dc will not fail their A levels because they were allowed a few minutes screen time at nursery. Not every minute of every day needs to be filled with worthy activities Confused
Pick your battles, this is a.non-event in the great scheme of things.

TheHouseOnTheLane · 18/08/2015 06:37

I don't think YABU at all! I also don't think you will look back and laugh as someone said.

My DC are 11 and 7 and my attitude to screens is still as strict and my DC are just fine with that. Of course they have access to laptops, tablets and tvs...but not every day and never for hours on end.

mimishimmi · 18/08/2015 07:10

Nursery is expensive but staff are underpaid , disinterested and quite probably couldn't give a monkey's.... .Complain but don't be surprised if nothing changes or you are asked to withdraw your child if you are unhappy with the service.

tatumsfunkychicken · 18/08/2015 07:20

I'd say it depends. If it genuinely is 20 mins then while its not great, it's not the end if the world. But tbh if they are on them at pick up time I'd question how long during the day was spent watching TVs/screens.

You'd think pick up time would be a time when staff try especially hard to show exemplary care.

I'd question it. Same for food. My friends questioned puddings, crisps etc at their nursery.

mimishimmi · 18/08/2015 07:27

Puddings and crisps are cheap, easy for staff to prepare and simpler for them to clean up. Otherwise the center would need to hire a cook and at least a couple of assistants to help with cleanup and then parents would complain about £100 a day fees. Even by cutting costs on food and having staff ratios/wages at bare minimum, nurseries only have 2-3% profit margins at best - most barely break even.

Justwhy · 18/08/2015 07:51

Not PFB at all. I let DS use the tablet when I can't be arsed to interact because I need to do something else. Seeing as you are paying these people to interact with your son, there is no excuse. It's just very lazy.

LokiBear · 18/08/2015 08:09

At DD's nursery they have educational games on the computer for the pre - school children (aged 3/4) but they only get one slot of 20 minutes per child per week. Once every other week they have a 'cinema' where the older children sit together and watch a film. Anything above this would be unreasonable I think.

Gooseberrycrumble2 · 18/08/2015 08:25

That's nonsense Mimi. It's easy to have healthy snacks and healthy puddings without employing a cook. It's ridiculous to give children two crappy things daily.

wooldonor · 18/08/2015 08:27

You seem to have had some kind of bad experience with a nursery mimishimmi or haven't actually been in one.

It's just nonsense to generalise as you hav e and untrue to say that having a cook isn't feasible.

When my eldest started nursery tablets hadn't been invented but they did watch TV at pick up time. There was a change of manager and that stopped but they did watch films on occasion.

I wasn't entirely happy but put up with it.

OP your nursery does sound aittle unusual, why do they buy new toys and who gives 3 weetabix for breakfast?

Gooseberrycrumble2 · 18/08/2015 08:28

Greek yogurt, fruit salad, fruit (just an apple or melon - what ever is in season), veg sticks, savoury oat biscuits, cheese,

alibubbles · 18/08/2015 09:09

I don't think you are YABU, nurseries never used to have 'screen time' and it really isn't necessary. Some children get far too much TV and iPad use, it is not good for the brain development or social aspect for under 2's.

I do not use it in my setting ever, there is no need. Children should be read to, or share a book at every opportunity.

There is a a lot of truth in what mimi says, like it or not. I know several nursery nurses who would back up what she says, sadly.

alibubbles · 18/08/2015 09:13

I should have said YANBU