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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to consider changing nursery because they've just introduced TV at quiet time?

56 replies

2cats2many · 29/06/2009 20:09

I don't know whether other people will think I'm precious or not, but I'm so upset about this.

My dd has been at this nursery since she was a baby. Its always been a bit scruffy, but I loved it for many reasons, mostly because the staff have always been so loving towards her, its so small and cozy and their philosophy has suited mine. My ds now attends the same nursery.

The nursery has recently been bought by another company and there's been a massive change in staff. Overall, I'm still quite pleased with the staff, but the new ownership has brought with it a change in vibe, IYKWIM. Signs have gone up warning of late fees being enforced, etc.

Well, today I picked them up at 4.45pm and they were on the mat with other children watching TV. This is the first time that I've seen a TV in the nursery. Usually at this time they are ready stories, doing puzzles, etc on the mat.

I was a bit shocked and said to two of the staff: 'I don't like that TV. Why is there a TV there'. And they said it was for after 5.30pm for quiet time. I pointed out that it was only 4.45pm and they said: 'Oh yes. It shouldn't be on now'.

To be honest, that's the whole point. I don;t think they should ever be in nurseries anyway, but when they are, there is definately TV-creep and they are often switched on outside of the designated time to suit the staff. I also think its introduction is a sign of a changing approach at the place that I don;t really agree with.

If they'd had a TV when I first looked at the nursery for my DD I wouldn't have chosen it. Now that they've introduced one after the fact, am I being unreasonable to consider disrupting them by pulling them both out and settling them in somewhere else?

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 29/06/2009 20:10

occasional TV is fine

anything else would tick me off

unreasonable for it to be on at 4.45 pm - smacks of laziness

Geepers · 29/06/2009 20:11

wouldn't bother me to be honest. All things in moderation and all that, so long as they aren't watching anything unsuitable.

nickytwotimes · 29/06/2009 20:13

I get what you are saying about it being indicative of a general change, in which case perhaps you should check out a few others. I do not have a problem with tvs in nurseries for quiet times as I put it on for a wee while when ds is knackered and can't be at peace. If they are in all day it is reasonable imo. But if the place isn't good enough any more then go.

PotPourri · 29/06/2009 20:13

Why not tell them that you are not willing ot let your children watch tv, what other alternative arrangements can they make for them. I think you are probably over-reacting a bit, everything in moderation is ok, but it's up to you if you want your children watching TV. And like you say, you would not have chosen a nursery who have TV on.

If they agree to have an alternative activity for your two, make sure you check with them each day if they watched TV, the older one will definately be able to tell you

Thunderduck · 29/06/2009 20:13

It wouldn't bother me at all if they watched the occasional programme.

CMOTdibbler · 29/06/2009 20:14

I wouldn't blame you. DS gets to watch TV now he is in the preschool room for 'special occasions' or if they want to show them something specific. So they had 20 minutes at their party for a staff leaver, and about 10 minutes of the Lion King when they were making african masks.

This is at the upper limit of what I'm happy with at nursery

littleducks · 29/06/2009 20:14

It might be worth considering other nurseries, perhaps having a tour of other places and see how the situation settles and if it doesnt inprove change nurseries

Occassional TV is fine but i assume you are paying ££££ for your kids to go to nursey so it would be better if they were played with as previously and they can watch tv at home if you want five min peace rather than if the nursery nurses do

bigTillyMint · 29/06/2009 20:14

I would be very unhappy about this. They are paid to look after your children, not shove them infront of the TV (leave that for you to do )

If it's quiet time, they should be doing quiet activities like reading.

I don't think that my DC ever watched TV at their daycare nursery.

RumourOfAHurricane · 29/06/2009 20:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MatNanPlus · 29/06/2009 20:23

But they seem to have made a policy and then discarded it Shineon and not by a few minutes but by 45 minutes +.

Original poster
2cats2many · 29/06/2009 20:24

The thing is, I don't think TV-time every day counts as 'occasional TV' in a nursery setting. That counts as regular TV in my book. And I'm not paying the nursery to put my children in front of the TV.

There were two staff members sitting on the mat with the children while they were watching TV. They could just have easily had some quiet games and books out and been looking at them with the children.

OP posts:
MummyDragon · 29/06/2009 20:26

I agree with shinoncrazydiamond.

I don't think there's anything wrong with TV in moderation - and in a nursery setting, the staff may well be discussing what's on screen with the children, or using it as a basis for a story the next day, etc (that's what they do at ours). Kids do need time to switch off their brains and do something mindless sometimes - just like adults

But you are, of course, entitled to tell the nursery that you don't want your kids to watch TV.

wolfnipplechips · 29/06/2009 20:28

YANBU i took my daughter out of a nursery for many reasons but this waqs one of them, i do not excpect them to be watching tv at nursery, its lazy IMO. Storytime is quiet time.

JudyBlume1019 · 29/06/2009 20:28

YANBU!
I wouldn't tolerate it, they don't need tv, the carers need tv so they can have a bit of quiet time, not the children. I know this because my dc watch tv because I need them to. I would be hacked off if the people whom I paid to look after my dc were relying on tv to help them through the day!!! I would consider moving nurseries, or at least talking to the nursery about it. Stink would be kicked up if it were my dds nursery/

MarthaFarquhar · 29/06/2009 20:31

Watching TV at nursery was one of the reasons I changed my DD's nursery. I prefer to moderate her viewing myself.

I'm not really bothered if this is perceived as being precious. He who pays the piper and all that (especially given the Piper's not inconsiderable remuneration).

Ripeberry · 29/06/2009 20:34

Why even have a TV in the nursery? If they are watching DVDs they have to get special permission and if they are watching broadcast stations they will have to get a TV license, which is a lot of money for half an hour a day.
These two things should be enough to discourage them!
Our pre-school years ago was told that as the premisses were not domestic then showing even a DVD was a 'public performance' and we were given a price list to get the relevant 'right to show'. Far too expensive!

Acinonyx · 29/06/2009 20:35

I would not use a nursery that used TV (my CM hardly uses it at all). We watch some TV at home - but that's my choice and I police that use. I don't pay childcare to have my dc watching telly.

wolfnipplechips · 29/06/2009 20:35

Judy is right its lazy on them, kids don't need quiet time as such they can manage without, its the for the staff. I doubt ofsted would be impressed should they knock on their door.

Thunderduck · 29/06/2009 20:38

Well when I was at nursery,many moons ago, we watched Dottaman every day,it's Gaelic kid's programme, in order to help us learn Gaelic, one nursery teacher was very keen on that and it wasn't a Gaelic speaking nursery.

I don't think it did the slightest bit of harm, though I can't remember a single word of the Gaelic we learned now.

oliverboliverbutt · 29/06/2009 20:39

YANBU - that is just lazy.

Ripeberry · 29/06/2009 20:41

Have a look at this www.nurseryworld.co.uk and look under 'PVS film screening' Print it off and show it to your nursery, would you bet that they have paid the relevant fees?

hocuspontas · 29/06/2009 20:43

A change of management might mean that the staff are now only getting paid till the children go home with no extra time afterwards to clean and tidy up. (like us in schools ) Maybe the TV allows some of the staff to clear up in advance so they dont have to do unpaid overtime. I'm not sure how I feel about the TV in general. But they should at least get their story straight!

pointydog · 29/06/2009 20:44

When you have lots of kids all together in one place, it can be hard to get 10 to 20 minutes of quiet and I think everyone needs some quiet in their day.

Telly is good for quiet. I wouldn't mind but it's your choice innit

FrannyandZooey · 29/06/2009 20:46

yanbu

MIAonline · 29/06/2009 21:06

YANBU, but I don't think you should just take your child out of the nursery without talking to the manager about it first. They need to be given the chance to be aware of a problem if they are able to solve it. Everyday is a bit much imo. There can be a time and place for TV in nurseries, but it should be limited.

Nurseries should be promoting best practise and whilst I have got nothing against TV as such, there should be a weealth of opportunities available in a nursery that would mean there was very little time for TV