How much TV do your mindees watch?

[LuckyC]

DD is 20 months and is currently the only mindee for her CM. Her CM has started turning on the TV for 30 mins a day while she prepares lunch. She also turns on TV when her own DD (4) gets back from pre-school and is tired. I understand that, but CM has small house, big TV, and TV dominates the room in which she cares for DD if it's on.

So - what are your thoughts on what's normal for mindees and TV?
Any recommendations for suitable TV programmes if TV is on?

My TV goes on at about 5 o'clock when the older kids get in from scool.
The amount you say certainly doesn't sound excessive to me. It can be useful when you're trying tp prepare a meal, and as long as it's not Jeremy Kyle for 8 ours I wouldn't ave a problem as a parent or CM.
WHat time does she turn it on when her daugter gets home and is it then on for the rest of the day?
When talking about TV., we all like to think our lo's are being stimulated all day, but TV is also put on in the vast majority of reception classes ( and I remember watcing TV at primary school nearly 40 years ago ). A little does no harm and can be vital to get stuff done / go to the loo/ let small person relax if they won't sleep.

I tend to have the TV on for a short while after lunch for mindie aged almost 4, whilst I clear up. She rarely has a sleep now but is usually exhausted and needs a rest. She will normally chooses a Disney or similar DVD or CBeebies, particularly things like 'I can cook', 'Come outside' or 'Something special'. My house is open plan so I can see what she is watching & interact with her. Children who nap rarely have any TV during the day as they are usually asleep at 'TV time' lol. However after school my own DD likes some chill time with TV but she is restricted to CBeebies or certain CBBC programmes (eg Roar, Junior Bake off, Arthur etc) that I consider ok for under 5's. I try to find a balance and also note that if the TV is not being actively watched it goes off. I do warn parents that children who attend after 3.30 may be exposed to some TV but that it will be age appropriate.

Suitable programmes... Numberjacks is fab. my ds learnt his number recognition from half an hour of this every day. Remember though, you could mention a programme you like, but as in schools, what your CM chooses to put on the TV is up to her. Don't risk spoiling your relationship by appearing too dogmatic or controlling over tv.

I am currently making lunch for my charge (4) whilst he has 10 minutes of tv (he's watching a tv show about railways and train journeys - an adult show) seeing as we left the house at 7.40 for pre-school and have only just got in and will be going out at 12.30 for the rest of the day (until 6.30 at the latest)

I allow him about 40 minutes over the period of the day usually 20 minutes before or after lunch and then about 20 minutes around 4.30 as he starts to get tired.

DC can take or leave tv usually when I'm in charge he won't ask for it as we are too busy - going to groups, playing with toys etc but I don't see it as a problem when we have it on as it's usually Nina, Aunty Mable or other "educational" shows. And even if it isn't an educational show I don't mind the odd bit of tv as we cuddle up on the couch and just chill out - I know I get worn out with our "schedule" and like to just chill

moogster TV will go on when her DD comes back from school at 3 and then stays on for rest of day, which is either til 4.30 or 5.30. It's a big loud TV in a small room. It's the main activity.

childrenatheart good idea about the 'if it's not being watched it goes off'.

I used to put tv on for a short while - maybe 20 mins in morning as one mindee would only sleep in his buggy with tv on to go to sleep to (his apents did it that way and it was the only way that worked) and then after lunch for 30 minutes, or a dvd.

My 2 dcs are older (nearly teenagers) and we ahve tvs in their rooma nd sky in our room,s o if it does go after school for mindees then they go upstairs and watch it.

For after schoolies sometimes I put it on or a dvd, if they are really tired, or cold and we have a blanket and sit under it

Sorry, so just to be clear, TV is on for 2.5 to 3 hours a day. This seems to be more than you're all suggesting you offer.

I think it depends a lot on the child. the 2 full timers I had were brought up in a house where the tv was on all the time even in teh background and they sued to want mine on, but then we'd sit and draw or play or read in the room with tv on but low in background and TBH they never really watched it then.
I would switch it off then, I think you need to ask what's happening int eh afternoons when her own DD gets home, perhaps your child and mindees are in a different room doing something else?

I would think that was too much however when I p/p DC I have been known to have it on for that long during a 13 hour day but in odds and ends.

Nope, there is only one room where they all are, so she is exposed to a loud TV for that length of time, even if they are doing something else.

Right, well maybe you need to ask her.
like I said in my psot above, the mindees I sued to ahve were exposed to a lot of tv at home,a nd always wanted the tv on at mine but hardly ever paid attention to it.

Is your DD sitting watching it too, or is she doing the activities with the childminder?

I will ask CM about it. Thanks everyone, very useful.

Sorry about the spelling mistakes it's a flare up day today

i am a childminder and when my daughter gets home she tends to watch tv. only childrens programmes. find that the younger children 16months and 2 years dnt even bother with it and her to busy playing or taking part in an activitiy. since my daughter started school she isnt as interested in getting involved in activities as shes been busy at school all day. your dd may not even bother with the tv as long as its not on to loud as to be distracting.

My mindees don't watch Television but we have the radio on all day and they love it.

We have tv on after the 5.00 tidy up time. About 30 mins but sometimes this is longer. Not often though.This way they are rested and ready for their parents to pick them up but not all days. We normally sit with them to watch the programs that have been selected for them. Peppa pig, Roary the racing car, Fifi, Noddy etc

During the day we sometimes have the radio on. We listen to Fun kids it doesn't have adverts and it teaches them stuff etc.

If they are playing with toys with music in them or sounds I tend to turn the radio off as there is conflict with the different music etc.

occasionally and tbh a lot less that they watch at home as some come from the families that have the tv on all day regardless if its watched or not.

like numberjacks and come outside but tbh we are usually out and about and if in doores we are reading, dressing up or creative play.

my dd has tele on when she gets in from school but its in her room and thats out of bounds to mindees anyway for her privacy.

The only time I put it on for them is when we watch a Christmas DVD or the like... never watch TV.