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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:
Brieminewine · 11/01/2021 16:15

YABU, me and DD18M have just had a lovely time cuddling and watching Cinderella (original version obvs) this must make me a terrible parent, but it can’t be messy play and puddlesuit walks constantly especially in the middle of a pandemic!

I’d say lower your expectations or cancel your return to work and become a stay at home all singing all dancing anti screen time tuff tray loving mum because child minders aren’t Mary Poppins Grin

Beautifulbonnie · 11/01/2021 16:15

@BendyLikeBeckham

is this your first child, OP?
Ha. Bet my life on it!
nokidshere · 11/01/2021 16:16

The title "childminder" in itself doesn't imply they are offering anything in terms of education or particular activities, although I know some do.
They all do. It's an ofsted requirement.

Technically they are just "minding" children, which really just means that they are present as a responsible adult in place of their parents, making sure that they don't come to harm. They're not teachers.
Technically they really aren't 'just minding'. They have to follow eyfs, produce learning goals, next steps, reports, evidence of progress, learning journals, home journals, policies covering everything from nappy changing to children being radicalised and everything in between.

What activities they are doing during that time is really up to them to decide and up to you as a parent to find out if you are happy with it.
As long as those activities fulfil the ofsted requirements yes. Thankfully there is no specific curriculum to follow but there are very clear guidelines and rules about acceptable activities meeting the above criteria.

IncludeWomenInTheSequel · 11/01/2021 16:18

@frustrationcentral

I think as long as it's only sometimes (once a month??) then that's ok, as long as the film is appropriate then that's ok. As a nursery we put a film on occasionally but they're usually appropriate to the time (the snowman at Christmas!) , staff sitting with the children, discussing what we'd seen etc. Not just a time to dump the children in front of a screen for a bit of peace!
So in a nursery it's educational but a CM is 'dumping' the kids to get peace.

That's out of order.

toocold54 · 11/01/2021 16:23

It depends how often it was happening. I think a movie time is really fun for kids but if it’s all the time then id be disappointed.

My childminder used to always have adult programmes on like the news, Jeremy Kyle etc which annoyed me more as it wasn’t even for the kids but then I suppose her argument would be they would watch it less.

IncludeWomenInTheSequel · 11/01/2021 16:24

I love how these threads always boil down to: I want my childcare provider to offer less sweets/TV/junk food so that I can give them it with a clear conscience at home.

toocold54 · 11/01/2021 16:25

So in a nursery it's educational but a CM is 'dumping' the kids to get peace.

I don’t think the PP meant it in that way. she is saying that it’s ok for any child care establishment to do it as long as they’re doing it for the right reasons.

Buddytheelf85 · 11/01/2021 16:25

All depends how often it is, I suppose. Personally I wouldn’t be thrilled about it. My son watches TV at home, but he doesn’t at nursery.

That said, I was looked after a nanny when I was young and she used to let me watch Disney films. And I have very happy memories of it.

MimiDaisy11 · 11/01/2021 16:26

I used to envy the other babysitters who had parents who didn't mind things like that. The kids loved them. Not so much the lady who tries to get them interested in playing the piano, learning foreign languages or homework etc.
I think some tv time isn't necessarily bad. If that's all they're doing then it's not great. It's good to have a mix of study and fun things.

IdblowJonSnow · 11/01/2021 16:26

Most 3 year olds and under wouldnt watch a film for 2 hours.
I think up to 40 or 50 mins at a time is ok but right now when the weather is so limiting on top of lockdown... it's very hard.

Oreservoir · 11/01/2021 16:29

I was a childminder many years ago. The tv went on once a day after I’d fed the dc lunch. Just 15 minutes so I could have a cup of tea and get my act together for the afternoon ahead.

Blackberrybunnet · 11/01/2021 16:32

So long as it is once in a while, and so long as they are properly supervised, I think "active" watching is a good thing - by that I mean adult is interacting with children as they watch, talking about what's on screen etc. children should not, in my opinion, be plonked down in front of telly and left to zone out. Except sometimes, if it's my kids, and they're at home with me.

Serin · 11/01/2021 16:36

It really wouldn't bother me in the slightest. An afternoon cosied up on the sofa with some snacks, singing along to Disney....what's not to like?
But then I always put more emphasis on their happiness, rather than sticking to a cirriculum when they were toddlers.
Somehow they still all managed to get to uni.

Witchlight · 11/01/2021 16:41

Once in a while, I would consider it fine. Especially if she is discussing the film with the children. Consider this, the children have cold - they are not ill, but not well. They’ve been busy in the morning and are a bit Whiney/grumpy. snuggling down with an appropriate film is just right.

Childminder has a really bad cold - does not want to shut services down (nor would you) decides to snuggle down with the kids to watch a film. Still ok.

Used as a Tuesday and Thursday pm regular 2hr slot - not ok.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 11/01/2021 16:41

Honestly think that people have this magical, rosey view of nurseries, in that their children are being constantly entertained, stimulated with educational activities. That's really not the case.
CMs seem to be demonised and have assumptions made about them on here quite regularly. Its weird. If you don't want to send your child to a childminder, then don't, but don't make assumptions that they are all lazy and up to no good. Some people want a homely environment for their children, if you don't, then don't use a cm, but don't criticise the way they run their business just because you don't like it.
Honestly OP if your going to have a problem with a movie being out on for your child every now and then, then maybe consider staying at home and looking after your child yourself because most childcare settings have screen time.

ArnoldBee · 11/01/2021 16:43

My son only knew about Frozen from watching it at nursery. I wondered why he was singing Let it go as its not something I knew about! Under 5s are unlikely to watch a whole film - my 8 year old only manages a whole film with breaks and snacks. Its like many other things in life - everything in moderation!

randomer · 11/01/2021 16:45

Isn't a childminder supposed to be home from home? Perhaps the poor kids are worn out with learning coulours and numbers. Poor little things.
If she is kind to them, thats all that matters.

Rosebel · 11/01/2021 16:47

It's fine. My older children used to have a bit of TV after tea at nursery. They had more than that at home.
I really do wonder if parents who object to TV at nursery or childminders let their children watch it at home. I'm sure a lot of them do.

randomer · 11/01/2021 16:47

Especially if she is discussing the film with the children
With a tick list perhaps? Look for themes , motifs and the use of the zoon lense. Compare and contrast with other films?

infinitediamonds · 11/01/2021 16:48

My son's nursery used to have TV on every day. They were crap though so I wouldn't hold them as an example of anything.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 11/01/2021 16:49

Kids films are rarely 2hrs but if you don't approve , don't use her.

Bumblebee1980a · 11/01/2021 16:49

I think it depends on how productive their day is.

If it's a film at 3pm (ish) after having a morning walk, lunch, creative activities, play etc then a movie / programme on at 3pm is a good way for the children to relax. Maybe not so much the 10 month old but it wouldn't do them any harm if you're all relaxing together.

Starlightstarbright1 · 11/01/2021 16:50

I am a childminder . We watched the gingerbread man(10 munutes) but we have also baked and decorated gingerbread bread men. Played a game with a dice to draw various parts of him.

It can be a really long day in childcare. My earliest starts at 6.15 leaves at 5.30. If i have one who doesn't nap I barely don't get a single minute , but if I do it is soent tidying , organising for the afternoon, preparing snack so the children get more attention.

We are also doing an online activity class through zoom this week. More screen time.

I did though chuckle at the idea of a 10 month old sitting still for 2 hours,

I imagine the movie is on but the children woukd tend to dip in and out definitely not sit in silence.

Indecisive12 · 11/01/2021 16:54

@Starlightstarbright1 imagine the rates you could charge if you could get a 10 month old to sit still for so long though 😂

RubyFakeLips · 11/01/2021 16:56

Discussing the film with the 10 month - 3 year olds?! What's next a follow up with Mark Kermode's podcast before a review of the Palm D'or hopefuls?

Do they ever get time to just zone out? I am fully old and wanting to say the world's gorn' mad, I used to put my babies in front of the washing machine for longer periods. They've gone on to perfectly normal lives without developmental delay although the knuckle dragging teen to adult phase was challenging what with their eyes still being on the spin cycle.