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Original poster

Screen time in nursery

63 replies

GloriaPritchett · 26/04/2017 21:42

I went to see a nursery today. It's the only one with places nearby so my hands are really tied.

The rooms and activities were lovely and clean. The staff were very friendly and caring... but there was a computer in the corner with 4 little boys glued to it. They were playing a pac-man type game and I mean glued. They didn't look up the whole time I was there.

Is it marvellously PFB to tell them that I do not want my DC using a computer?

OP posts:
fruitlovingmonkey · 27/04/2017 16:05

I wouldn't be sending my child there. I see no need for technology in early years teaching or play.
Without ever having individual access to an iPad/ phone/ computer, my one year old seems to have picked up on how they work (from watching us use them). I refuse to believe he will be behind his peers if he only starts using technology for himself at 6 or 7 years old.

Willowtree7 · 27/04/2017 16:06

It is a total myth that "it's good for hand eye coordination" its a 2d game. It doesnt teach depth perception etc. Research has proven there shouls be no screen time for under 2's and limited for 2-5. It permamently alters a childs neurology and ability to concentrate when used excessively. Im personally an advocate or no more than 30 mins & not every day so its not forbidden & lucrative. I hate the overuse of technology in small kids & there is no evidence that it sets them at a disadvantage in later life if they dont use technology young. We all learn ok.

Bluebubble123 · 27/04/2017 16:43

It is part of the eyfs to use technology! The nursery I work in we limit it to 10 minutes sessions am and pm. It works well.

Bluebubble123 · 27/04/2017 16:46

I agree though with others who say they are too young and really there is no need for under 5s to be on a computer.

HermioneJeanGranger · 27/04/2017 16:50

Using technology is not the same as being glued to a computer screen with no adult interaction for 30+ minutes at 4yo, though.

I wouldn't be happy OP - YANBU.

JaniceFromAccounts · 27/04/2017 16:52

I'd hate that

Alicorn · 27/04/2017 17:41

That website sounds remarkably like friv.com. and the game fireboy and girl

Astro55 · 27/04/2017 17:45

I think it also depends on the hours they go - some kids are there 8am til 6pm - others a few hours

Sammysquiz · 27/04/2017 20:08

Yes because there are enough staff to do that AND god forbid teaching kids to be independent and occupy themselves

Astro if children are at a nursery they are meant to be being both looked after and stimulated. Plonking a child in front of a screen and leaving them there is not teaching them to be independent and occupy themselves, it is lazy childcare.

And there most definitely should be enough staff to have someone there interacting with them, it doesn't have to be one-on-one. If there's so few staff that they have to rely on the electronic babysitter to care for the children then they're a shit nursery.

Waterlemon · 27/04/2017 20:24

Nope! I wouldn't be happy either! I'm an Early years teacher.

They have more than enough screen time at home.

At nursery they should be developing their social, communication, and language skills foremost.

Screen time does not develop these skills, there are also far better ways to develop motor skills.

I do agree that technology is a necessary evil, so we still provide plenty of opportunities to use IT. We just don't leave the children playing games unsupervised.

we have tablets, digital cameras, camcorders and programmable robots thst all used on a daily basis. They only thing they don't do with the equipment is play games or sit unengaged watching someone else playing.

ApplesTheHare · 27/04/2017 20:28

We use technology on a daily basis. That's the world our children are growing up in. Don't pretend otherwise and take the opportunity to educate them about technology in a safe environment.

Trifleorbust · 27/04/2017 20:39

Nah. There is simply no need for it. I don't mind parents sticking the TV on for a bit to get a break, but if children are around other children then they can engage in so many forms of play, I don't see why looking at a screen needs to feature. I wouldn't be happy with it and would take my business elsewhere.

Sammysquiz · 27/04/2017 20:43

Playing pacman is not "educating them about technology"! Sitting down with them and helping them use an educational learning game I could understand, but even then I would want it to be limited at this age.

Natsku · 27/04/2017 20:50

YANBU, I wouldn't be happy about that either. There are no computers, tablets etc. and its only once in a blue moon that they watch a film on the telly at my DD's Finnish nursery. The focus for under 7s is hands on learning by playing with actual 'things' not computer games as playing with objects develops so much more than playing with a screen.

Cagliostro · 27/04/2017 21:00

YANBU

Jeffstar79 · 27/04/2017 21:11

It depends on the hours the children are there. When DD2 was at nursery she did two full days a week in preschool usually 7.30am to 6pm. I wouldn't have expected her to have spent all that time doing educational activities. Playing on the PC or watching a film in the afternoon/evening was a bit of downtime.

User2468 · 27/04/2017 21:14

I've seen them using it to watch songs on youtube at my Son's nursery but as he now knows the names of all the characters in Pepper Pig I can only assume it's on quite a lot. He only attends one day a week and will be moving in a few months so I let it slide, I would be fuming if he was in full time as we limit screen time as it turns him into an angry Cebeebies demanding shit!

Natsku · 27/04/2017 21:16

Playing on the PC or watching a film in the afternoon/evening was a bit of downtime

How about just playing? Like children naturally do? No need for screen time for downtime, especially in a nursery setting where they have friends to play with and lots of toys.

Fuxfurforall · 28/04/2017 11:26

I think it is perfectly reasonable to request your child spends no time on a computer at nursery.I can't think of any benefit at that age.

Craigie · 28/04/2017 12:05

I'd ask how the nursery manages the children's time on the computer before making up your mind. When my kids went to nursery (10 years ago, no computers), they were allowed a maximum of about 10 minutes on any given activity.

MoreThanUs · 28/04/2017 12:09

Absolutely no need for a screen at nursery and I wouldn't be happy.

EpoxyResin · 28/04/2017 12:37

Genuine question; in what way is it a myth that it's good for hand/eye co-ordination? What does it matter that it's a 2D game?

Having the fine motor skills to use the controls quickly and accurately in response to your brain's signals is surely a real thing. I'm terrible at the fine motor control needed to play video games - literally TERRIBLE at it - I just never got the digit control.

Not saying that makes computer games a great thing in a nursery, I literally have no opinion on that if they're used for short periods, just that if you're 3 you're probably getting something out of it from a co-ordination perspective, surely?

katronfon · 28/04/2017 12:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CherryBlossomPink · 28/04/2017 12:40

Have you actually asked the nursery about their policy for use of technology and how long per day the children have access to it? I would be checking this before going in all guns blazing that my child isn't allowed any screen time! I think there is a place for technology in a child's daily routine as long as it is in a structured manner.

Doglikeafox · 28/04/2017 12:40

I wouldn't be happy.
I'm a childminder so have more of a 'home from home' atmosphere, but there is absolutely no reason for a group of children to be on a computer for more than half an hour at a time.
The EYFS curriculum does state that children need to have an understanding of technology etc, and even specifically mentions children needing to understand how information is retrieved and stored on computers (something like that), but even that I think is pushing it a bit far.
30 mins is far too long to be playing one mindless game, which is what it sounds like they were doing. There are no computers in my setting, however I do allow TV time for older children straight after coming in for school, or whilst I'm settling another child for nap time etc but any more than that is just uneccessary in my opinion. It sounds to me more like the computer was being used to entertain the 4 boys, rather than as a learning tool.