How much TV time should nanny give kids

[yadayadaa]

When watching a three year old and one year old ?

I am a nanny and I’m pretty strict that tv is only on very rare occasions. I don’t have anything against tv but the parents aren’t paying me to sit the kids in front of a screen all day.

If kids are really unwell, not just a wee cold but lying on the sofa not feeling well enough to do anything type of days.

And if I happen to be working later then after tea/baths they can have some tv time

A few previous families the kids used to moan that they didn’t get tv but parents were in agreement with me on the limited tv so all good.

Couple of other examples are:

we had ended up in the local hospital for stitches. (I needed 10mims to myself to calm myself down from the stress of the afternoon)
And the day one of them was sick everywhere so they got tv to keep them in one place whilst I cleaned up the mess.

I see absolutely no problem with the children watching TV for an hour while the nanny has a break and a cup of tea.

Attitudes to TV are very odd on Mumsnet. Anyone who thinks more than 30 minutes TV a day for a 3 year old is too much and has to be 'narrated' by an adult, is completely delusional and doesn't live in the real world.

😂😂😅 oh dear

Here are the WHO recommendations. If it's a joke then the WHO are in on it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-48021224

Why do you need to supervise your child watching tv? Why only for 15 mins? Why do you need to narrate what’s going on? Why specifically only Thomas and Fireman Sam ONLY SEASONS 1-4?

I think they were refering to the fact that you are suggesting constant supervision and narrating/commentating on an episode of Fireman Sam.

When did I say constant? I mean you watch with your child, answering any questions they have. Instead of just plonking them in front of the telly which is the norm. Early 3 year old has a fairly limited understanding of what is going on even in a simple show so it is important to add some interactive help.

I've reread this comment and it's even more batshit the second time.

So the nanny, who's meant to be concentrating on her tasks, is also meant to be listening in to the show then think if appropriate conversation she can give to 'enhance' the experience?

😂😂😂

🦇 💩

but only for 15 minutes mind

Oh wait I confused this with the ‘narrating’ one. Can’t believe there’s another person who thinks a child can’t just watch paw patrol in peace 😂

’well dear, Mayor Goodway has lost Chickaletta ONCE AGAIN because she’s careless and inept. HOW she managed to be voted in is beyond me!’

If anything I'd expect her not to need to use the TV at all if she's literally just watching the kids and you're doing all the cooking and cleaning! You need to be clear with her about expectations e.g. the kids get taken out at least once every day to the park or a stay and play etc, she needs to clean up all their lunch, toys need to be tidied away by the time you come home. Tell her that if there are any resources she needs for activities you'll order them (I'm thinking paper, glue etc etc) so she knows that she needs to be getting creative.

@Dilemma19 I remember your thread! The absolute cheek of her! Have you found someone else or gone for a cleaner and a nanny?

I would be worried if she’s letting them watch that much TV whilst you’re around what she’d be like when you’re out? She’s new to the job and you’d expect her to be showing her abilities to the full.

Unless agreed otherwise the TV should really only be used to compliment learning - if the book of the week is Room on the broom, they can read it, make potions, make wands, do matching games with the animals in the book, colouring etc etc and then maybe watch it on iPlayer on the Friday afternoon of that week as a treat after a morning activity & lunch. Or if she is cooking/cleaning etc whilst youngest is napping and eldest needs quiet time where their nap would have been.

kids should be out at the park/ playground/ library/soft play yada yada every morning without fail before downtime is even needed or considered. She can do better.

Never used a babysitter / nanny but I'm guessing you get what you pay for. If I had to use one I'd want the Mary Poppins variety. The research suggests that lots of telly is really not very good for toddlers.

It depends on the quality of tv and if it's structured tv time.

I'm a single sahm and DD has three episodes of ms Rachel most days and bloody hell she has learned so much. There are 24 hours in my day.

Surely if you employ a nanny rather than nursery you want a home environment rather than a nursery?

Never. I can't understand why a nanny couldn't be more creative in getting her downtime or supporting the children with theirs. TV is such a recent invention, how on earth did people cope beforehand?

By drawing on the wall with stones or beating the shit out of each other.

Both of which are excellent ways to learn about the world!

I disregard all job descriptions that say they want a ‘Mary Poppins’ straight off the bat, FYI 🤣

And so do all the nannies I know 😅

To be fair I probably wouldn't put it in the job advert!

I'd be OK with the 3 year old having half hour/an hour tv after lunch while the 1 year old naps so the nanny can have a lunch break.

I'd also be fine with it on for the odd emergency eg. children get paint/mud/beads everywhere and the nanny needs to plonk them somewhere safe for 10mins to tidy up.

To the posters suggesting I am a nightmare employer, maybe I am. I only suggest that when you next interview for a nanny position you make it clear to the family:

• you feel entitled to a paid break of longer than 45 minutes every day (despite having chosen one of few careers that has no legal entitlement to any break, let alone a paid one). Please specify how long out of interest, I've already noted that my 45 minutes is laughable.

• that doing light household tasks including folding children's laundry and tidying up after children is beneath you and the suggestion deeply outrageous.

• that you find children exhausting

• that you will be using the TV as and when you see fit, even for children under two, regardless of the parents own parenting preferences (also take this opportunity to explain why you know better than the WHO and NHS).

• that you particularly need a break, paid for by them, because of (checks notes from PP) your commute and your own responsibilities at your own home.

Also make it clear that you think all your employers have leisurely desk jobs that enable them to have long walks and relaxed lunches every day and they cant possibly understand hard work. They also have NO idea what's it's like to look after children all day (ignore the fact that they are responsible for the very same children every minute you aren't being paid to do so)

Emphasise that failing to immediately agree with your point of view basically means they are a Dickensian nightmare and you don't know whether to laugh or be terrified.

Imagine the commentary of a Peppa Pig show.

"Darling, Peppa Pig just walked into the scene. Peppa is a spoilt little bitch and you must never be like her, do you hear me?"

You're being ridiculous.

@Sortyourlifeout I am literally referring to the comments I received on here and frankly feel the same about you.