Childminders and television

[reddaisy]

We are seeing a childminder tomorrow and I wondered whether it is reasonable to say I don't want DD (18 months) to watch television during the day? Or do childminders not have the television on during the day anyway?

I use a CM so I don't know what the professionals will say. I think it will depend on the ages and needs of all the chidlren she looks after. If she only looks after your DD during the day then fine, but if there are older children who are at home before and after school, I don't think you'll get very far imposing this sort of restriction and might need to look at a nanny or nursery.

IME, CMs rarely use the television but do have it to let children have some down time eg after lunch/ after school when energy levels are low.

Thanks Azazello. It would just be my DD and the childminder's child who is the same age for now.

She has shown no interest in watching television and I am quite happy to keep it that way for now. I suppose I could say I'm not keen on television watching for now.

I am a CM and I hardly ever use the television ... that is 'hardly ever', so I do have it on occasionally. This is usually when we are watching a programme on a theme, but also occasionally when we have spent the last 5 hours playing, climbing trees, jumping in puddles, walking miles, etc and the children just want a bit of quiet veg out time. The children rarely if ever ask to watch it and don't all watch it if it is on. It is only ever one for very short periods of time and for a specific reason (not just so I can have a cuppa in peace, or make lunch, or to keep the children quiet).

But I guess there would always be the chance that she might take on some school age children.

My DS1 will be starting full time school the week after next. He is very likely to be very tired after a day in school and I will be asking her to let him sit on the sofa and watch some tv after school if he asks to.

I would be a bit annoyed if said no because another parent doesn't allow their child to watch tv. Some cm's may have their tv ina different room to the play room I suppose. so may be able to cater for all requests.

DS goes to a CM and they are really, really good. I would never want to rock the boat but have become aware recently that the CM uses tv possibly quite a lot. This is because DS1 now comes home (aged 2.4) and talks about tv programmes he has watched there (which he doesn't watch at home). We get a daily diary detailing what has been done that day (and they do loads of great stuff) and it has never mentioned the tv.

If I was you, I would discuss it - it never occurred to me that it would be an issue and I've decided not to make it into one now, but I would have liked clarity at the start. In fairness, I think it's probably a good way for the CM to have a break, to which I assume they are entitled, as long as it's not on too long/all day etc and is monitored..

Thanks for the replies. I don't want a blanket ban that affects other children (the childminder is new and I'm sure she will take on more childre soon)

I accept that dd will definitely get interested in it as she gets older - in fact I'm sure it will be a happy day when she can watch cartoons on a Saturday morning and I can stay in bed .

But I just wondered whether it was worth mentioning how I feel about it.

BethyLou that is exactly the situation I am trying to avoid - sorry I really don't mean that to sound smug by the way!

But your son sounds very happy with his CM so I suppose there always have to be some drawbacks somewhere.

I will definitely mention it when I see the CM then.

ask for their television policy - i bet the poor things have to have one of those

Each minder will be different but I only ever have the tv on for approx 20/30 minutes after lunch during our rest/winddown time. i watch it with them and its always age appropriate.

We occasionally might have a cinema afternoon and put a dvd on, again watching it together.
As far as possible I would respect what the parent wants but in a household of 3 of my own kids and several minded children then I could not completely guarantee or agree to.

all of my mindees are avid tv watchers at home and know all the songs, characters etc.

I do allow very limited tv watching usually if we have finished a long activity, say an all day picnic..

too much tv is obviously a bad thing but a little is fine..

I was amazed how much tv my dd watched in her reception class so you might get a shock at school..

I I dont really see the point in blanket bans of tv or sweets etc. it usually makes the children want it more like forbidden fruit..

tbh I have a friend who banned both for her dd, now 11, and the kid gets off the school bus every day and gorges on sweets before she goes home, also avid tv watcher at friends houses, very overweight child.. bit sad..

I am a CM and I use the TV in the same way that i use my other toys and resources. All things in moderation is my approach and a good balance between TV, DVD's videos etc and physical play, art and craft activities and trips out etc are ok in my book.

As far as school age children go - they do tend to want to veg out in front of the tv for some of the time but i am lucky that i have two rooms that are used for minding and i can provide that for the older ones and other activities for the younger children at the same time.

I would be very happy for a parent to discuss TV watching - as with all things communication is usually the answer.

I am a CM and I put the telly on sometimes, normally if a child is upset (which undoubtedly has a knock-on effect to the rest of them) so I let them calm down watching telly. We also watch Something Special occasionally if it's to do with a topic and I also have some DVDs of The Wiggles that we dance to with scarves etc. The telly is on in the morning when the first mindee comes as I have my own DD and I think it's only fair that she gets to watch a bit of TV but generally we're not really in the house for much of the day so they don't watch much. Everyone I have is under 2yrs.

FWIW, my DD showed no interest at all at 18m but now at nearly 2 she will watch Peppa, Ben & Holly, Something Special and Timmy Time but absolutely nothing else! I found that she has gained interest more since I've become a CM, maybe it's because of her age, but I think she's just shattered once all the others go and she's more interested in sitting still and watching something. Kinds find nursery/CMs very tiring compared to 'normal' life so you may want to try and find something that she can do that isn't too taxing come the evening time.

As I have only after schoolers come September, I have asked all the parents, how they would like me to use the time their children are with me, 2 out of 4 have said they would like them to be able to chill out after school, TV is fine. (3rd parent would rather the child didnt,as he doesnt at home and have a meeting next Tuesday with 4th parent so will ask her then)
So have decided TV will be on after school (I also have an 9 & 11 boys myself) But we will also have some sort of activity to do in the dining room for those that dont wish to watch tv.

I'm the same as Gluggy. I see the TV as a resource to be used or abused and I see it as part of my job to teach the kids in my care how to use the TV properly (i.e. that that the "ON" button will also work as an "OFF" button when the programme - singular - has finished!).

I don't see anything wrong in using the TV so long as the programmes themselves are carefully vetted and use is controlled.

We go out on lots of trips, but I can't take them to see a rocket launch, or to watch a whale singing, or a fisherman catching fish. The TV can show them all that and more.

I use a CM and love her to bits. If she chooses to use TV from time to time while the kids are being picked up so she can talk to each parent, or for some down time for the 2 year olds who've just dropped their naps, I am totally OK with that.

However, OP it's your daughter and I don't see why you shouldn't raise it if you're concerned about it. We've always monitored the amount of TV our kids get quite strictly but I do find it means that when it is one they're very focussed on it, where other kids might be a bit less bothered by it...