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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a childminder shouldn't have kids watching films on the telly?

396 replies

5footMama · 11/01/2021 14:32

A childminder in my village says she "sometimes" has a movie afternoon with her charges (age 10m-3yrs) and it's made me doubt whether to send DD (14m)

Is it just me, or should a childminder not be using the TV like that???
I mean, I'm not anti telly and if they were watching a bit of a program about penguins or something because they're learning about penguins,then cool. Bit to just put them in front of the telly for 2hrs when it supposed to be looking after them seems a bit crap. They wouldn't do this in a nursery or anything.

OP posts:
conjourbonjour · 12/01/2021 18:08

Wow mate you seriously need to get a reality check. Poor woman. If you’re that bothered out your LO in a nursery. I wouldn’t want you for a client anyway!

PandemicPalava · 12/01/2021 18:08

I used to put Winnie the Pooh on for mine when it was afternoon snack and nap time. It relaxed them. This was in addition to lots of EYFS planned activities. As long as there is a balance I don't see the issue

nokidshere · 12/01/2021 18:08

At my DD's after-school club they used to turn all the lights off and tell them that they were not allowed to speak on "movie afternoons" and this was quite frequent. Very few of the children wanted to watch the film. It was done entirely so the staff could do nothing.

What a shame your children went to such a crap after school club.

If any of my child minded children were watching a film it was because they wanted to see it. The ones who didn't carried on playing and I either played, or watched with them. Or I was cooking dinner for them all.

I'm not sure your description of your after school club even describes most after school clubs, let alone childminders.

LucilleTheVampireBat · 12/01/2021 18:09

Are there any other people out there, who have grown kids, and read these threads with their jaws on the floor? I can't remember giving any headspace to "free play, baking and crafting"?! Just me maybe 🤣

nokidshere · 12/01/2021 18:16

And this is why I have the utmost respect and admiration for childminders, having to deal with nit picking like this. Can you imagine having to prove every minute of every day with every child was spent in "worthy" pursuits? Jesus. An occasional film afternoon, especially now when 80% of usual activities are closed, is really not an issue that I can understand anyone getting worked up about.

I've been childminding now for over 20yrs and have had close to 80 children in and out of my home, some of them from birth till 11yrs and, thankfully, I don't recognise these so called nit picky parents. All of mine have been lovely. Not once in all that time has any parent quibbled about watching a film, playing on a tablet, going to the supermarket or anything else that weird Mumsnet parents think are out of bounds.

The majority of parents just want somewhere they can leave their child to be cared for, safe, fed and having fun so that they can work without the added stress of worrying about their child.

Toomuchtrouble4me · 12/01/2021 18:16

Bloody hell - at the moment it's whatever gets you through the day.
They won't sit for 2 hrs anyway but some programmes are great to have a little sing and a dance to. Films can stimulate the imagination and spark discussion. But if you don't fancy it - go elsewhere.

Toomuchtrouble4me · 12/01/2021 18:21

DENGREEN
Maybe once a fortnight would be ok but I’d want to know what they were watching and how long the film is. Plus details of any film related activities they might do. For example, learn about lions after watching Lion King

Grin Its a childminder - a home from home, not school, get a grip.

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 12/01/2021 18:29

@DENGREEN

Maybe once a fortnight would be ok but I’d want to know what they were watching and how long the film is. Plus details of any film related activities they might do. For example, learn about lions after watching Lion King.
Oh I bet the 10 month old would be absolutely enthralled by a presentation about lions.Hmm
B33Fr33 · 12/01/2021 18:34

If she called it 'popular culture appreciation' she could charge extra Wink

EvieandFlosMum · 12/01/2021 18:46

I’m a childminder and people always seem to forget that we have the same training as nursery and pre-school teachers.

We went to the park for 2 hours on Thursday and when we got home, made small hot chocolate and ate the biscuits (that we’d made in the morning and decorated in the afternoon ) and warmed up under a blanket on the sofa and watched Frozen (my 3 YO DD and her ‘best friends’ choice). We have since used this as a topic to explore seasons and the months of the year and talked about winter and freezing. They’ve put a leaf in water in a tray in the garden and have been checking each morning if it’s frozen over night (understanding the world). They’ve done colouring in Frozen colouring books with stickers (helping with fine motor skills). We’ve played the songs and danced (for physical development) and used the characters to role play. When a child is inspired, they will lead their own learning with support by their childminder. Research has shown this is the best way for under 5’s to learn.

To be fair, it’s a long day for us. I work 7.30am - 6pm then have to send diaries, tidy up, clean before then sorting our own families out. We don’t get a break in the day. It’s non stop. So please don’t begrudge the childminder sitting with the children to watch a film with them now and again. (I bet she didn’t even sit down with them, she was probably tidying up after the mornings activities or planning/prepping the afternoon activities or cooking dinner or playing with younger children who don’t sit still to watch a film.)

As a parent and a childminder I totally understand that screen time should be limited but wanted to explain more from the other side what a good childminder should be doing and believe this is completely acceptable. I talk about all the activities I do with the children with the parents, including any TV or film time and parents are more than happy with the balance.

If i were you, I'd ask how often they watch films and her thoughts on screen time. If she's a good childminder, she will no doubt explain her thoughts to reassure you xx

DENGREEN · 12/01/2021 19:03

Yes I often research films and analyse films after I have watched them.

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 12/01/2021 19:04

@DENGREEN

Yes I often research films and analyse films after I have watched them.
With babies and toddlers?
Original poster
5footMama · 12/01/2021 19:09

To repeat. I realise IABU now.

No, not my firstborn. Eldest didn’t go to CM.

We do watch tv etc.

I just didn’t this was normal, but now I know.

OP posts:
ImAllOut · 12/01/2021 19:10

@DENGREEN

Yes I often research films and analyse films after I have watched them.
Yes so do lots of people if the content seems interesting, but I can guarantee they're not 2 and watching cartoons Hmm
Starlightstarbright1 · 12/01/2021 19:10

Lol.. yes more like what does a lion say? Raaah

DENGREEN · 12/01/2021 19:10

Yes. Why not? Eg: did you like it? What colour is the lion? Let’s draw a picture.
That’s analysis. Doesn’t have to be deep.

Wheresmykimchi · 12/01/2021 19:12

@DENGREEN

Yes I often research films and analyse films after I have watched them.
You're not a toddler.
DENGREEN · 12/01/2021 19:12

Yes, I agree. What does a lion say? Raaaah!! That’s fine. It’s follow up work and involvement.

DENGREEN · 12/01/2021 19:15

But I was asked ‘Do you analyse films after you ever watched them?’
So I replied.

Callingallskeletons · 12/01/2021 19:22

Hate to break it to you OP but movie afternoons happen in schools quite often (particularly around end of term) 😂

saraclara · 12/01/2021 19:34

I wonder if all these picky parents fill every minute of every weekend day with educational activities too.

I know that when I was SAHM I put my kids in front of the TV for a little while when I got lunch ready. It was a lot safer than having them around my feet. And there were regular mid-morning children's programmes (this was back in the late 80s) that were part of their routine and gave us all some downtime.

fluffiny31 · 12/01/2021 19:39

Every nursery and school I have worked in have the occasional treat of watching a short film or half one day half another it isn't Every day or week but a treat. But most nursery's have some TV time Every day even for 10-20 minutes.

PortalooSunset · 12/01/2021 19:46

I sent dc to a childminder while I was working because we wanted a family environment. We had 2 (moved areas so couldn't keep on with the first unfortunately) and in both dc was treated as another family member. Sure they did all the required educational stuff but what mattered most to me was that dc felt secure and happy there, and part of their family dynamic. Them having occasional movie afternoons would just be part of that to me 🤷‍♀️

PortalooSunset · 12/01/2021 19:49

@saraclara

I wonder if all these picky parents fill every minute of every weekend day with educational activities too.

I know that when I was SAHM I put my kids in front of the TV for a little while when I got lunch ready. It was a lot safer than having them around my feet. And there were regular mid-morning children's programmes (this was back in the late 80s) that were part of their routine and gave us all some downtime.

I very much doubt it! I guess that's the reason for needing every waking minute filled with educational activities when they're at the childminder, to assuage the guilt at just plonking them in front of the telly at home..
Artesia · 12/01/2021 20:02

If a child is with CM say 8am-6pm, that's a lot of time to fill. Plus CM will need time to prepare food, tidy up, get equipment out for specific activities etc. I would have no qualms about the tv being on while those things are done, or having the odd movie afternoon.

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