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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

MmeLindt · 29/06/2009 21:13

We lived in Germany while our DC were nursery age and I have never ever heard of a nursery/kindergarten there having a TV. There would be absolute outrage.

I feel that TV has no place in a nursery and would definitely be having words with the management.

It sounds like the new nursery philosophy is very different to your child rearing ideas and the TV is just a symptom of that.

Ripeberry · 29/06/2009 21:18

I think they are breaking the law by having it anyway, if they don't have a TV license or permission to show the DVD's in a non-domestic setting.
Maybe ask the other parents what they think and vote on it!

berri · 29/06/2009 22:01

YANBU, i'd be really annoyed - fair enough plonking your kids in front of the telly when you're trying to get something done, or you've got to occupy them for 20 mins, but the whole point of a nursery is that they have staff their to occupy them, regardless of whether it is quiet time or not.

It's not as if they've got to do the washing/cooking/tidying!!

If it was only one prog a day or something then it'd be fine, but it obviously isn't if they've already got it on earlier than it's meant to be.

berri · 29/06/2009 22:07

staff THERE

hocuspontas · 29/06/2009 22:08

You're right berri - it's the elves who wash the toys, surfaces, crockery, cutlery, paints and glue pots, put away toys, books, empty the water trays, lock away the outside toys, get ready any resources for the following day, sharpen pencils, check for broken or dangerous equipment, catch up with paperwork, etc etc

clemette · 29/06/2009 22:17

I would definitely not send my DC to a nursery that had a TV. They do watch TV at home but my children go to nursery for socialisation, active play and stimulation.
I think it is lazy childcare and if the staffing ratios are generous then there should be no problems with people having to do the practical side of the job (I don't imagine it is easy, don't get me wrong. NN must have the patience of saints)
It is a personal choice but you are paying for the service and if you don't like how it is being provided I would definitely switch.

Original poster

2cats2many · 05/07/2009 11:15

Well, I did something about it. I complained direct to the nursery manager and then put the complaint in writing (along with some other things that have been pissing me off about the place lately.

I also got in touch with the early years team at our council and am talking to them about interventions/ support/ training for the new providers tomorrow.

Unfortunatly, I've also been looking at other nuseries tho' because I think that things are going to get worse there before they get better

OP posts:

Spidermama · 05/07/2009 11:18

YANBU and you should refer the school in question to this excellently researched book which gives an inconvenient truth about how TV irreparably damages the brains of small children.

Radical as it sounds, it's true.

kylesmybaby · 05/07/2009 12:13

what did the nursery say?

CheeseCheese · 05/07/2009 12:14

I dont mind at all.

dilemma456 · 05/07/2009 12:26

Message withdrawn

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 05/07/2009 12:31

I would also think it is the worse time to have the tv on as that is the start of pick up time and the kids might want to stay and watch until the end of the program.

juneybean · 05/07/2009 12:31

I work in a nursery and I can imagine it's being put on so staff can clean up.

In my experience afternoon sessions miss out as staff start to close down activities by 4pm.

PeachyTheRiverParrettHarlot · 05/07/2009 12:35

YANBU if thats what you ant

Mind I am looking at a nursery with TV in hope for their after school club as its the only thing DS1 (ASD) will settle with!
ouldnt bea s happy at pre school age I think

katiestar · 05/07/2009 12:41

YANBU you are paying however much an hour for your DC to sit in front of a TV

Yurtgirl · 05/07/2009 12:45

Im with you 2cats - my dds preschool nursery did this - 30 mins every day, she was only there for 3 hours

They shouldnt be showing cartoons etc to kids at nursery imho

rowingboat · 05/07/2009 12:53

If you object to TV for your child then I think you should change nursery.
If you don't object to TV per se then, I think, it depends on how they are using the resource.
If they are paying the appropriate fees and have chosen something educational, entertaining and age-appropriate then personally I don't see the problem. It depends how it is done and how well it is controlled.
Our state nursery showed 'Dora the Explorer' under licence, but they do also teach Spanish and Italian to the children, so it's part of a fun way to teach the language.
Can you check daily to see whether the TV time is actually within the stated times and not creeping in?

EachPeachPearMum · 05/07/2009 19:37

YANBU- I would be furious tbh.

Sassybeast · 05/07/2009 19:41

YANBU - we had a similar thing at the first nursery DD went to. TV by stealth - I picked her up unexpectedly early one day - just after lunch and the TV was on. Soon after the Kwiksave crackers and value cheese spread started appearing at tea time. Every day.

FairyMum · 05/07/2009 19:51

They have tv in my childrens nursery and I cannot say I mind as its only a little bit. The staff watch with the children who can have a cuddle. As far as I know and have observed, its mainly used if heat or rain prevent them from being outside. It makes a very long day inside for children and staff. In this heat I don't blame the staff for wanting a break either. They are practically working in a sauna.

Qally · 05/07/2009 19:56

I don't think you're being unreasonable. Every parent sometimes needs a break, and the TV can provide that - but they aren't parents, they're childcare professionals. They can go home and have a break from childcare then. TV is a toddler off-switch in my experience, and I'd not be keen on such a passive playtime in a nursery for my child, either. You're paying for a decent level of care, and IMO that isn't TV.

Toffeepopple · 05/07/2009 20:08

I would be very, very unhappy.

Well done for complaining.

berri · 05/07/2009 21:48

See your point hocuspontas, but I don't think the TV should be used for the times when parents have paid for their kids to be cared for, no matter what needs doing before the next day - I'm sure when you sign up the carers don't say that part of the day is TV time when the nursery is cleaned up for the following day!

Rollergirl1 · 05/07/2009 21:58

I would be really pissed off. I don't pay £60 a day for my kids to be plonked in front of the TV. They already watch too much at home for my liking, but sometimes it's the only thing that ensures I get my house chores done. I like to think that at nursery they have the opportunity to do things that they don't get to do at home and watching TV is certainly not one of them. It's laziness, pure and simple.

Fennel · 05/07/2009 22:02

I wouldn't be impressed, once or twice a week, perhaps, but not every day. I use TV when I want free childcare at home, I don't want childcare settings using up my tv quota (the limit I think my children should watch, which isn't that much).

I wouldn't take a child out of nursery for that alone but I wouldn't be too pleased about it.

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