Just found out DS's pre-school has a TV ... WHY?

[Twiglett]

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Perhaps they also watch 'educational' videos there too ? Have you asked the nursery how often the tv is used and in what context ? If it bothers you, then ask !

DD's nursery has too, had did the last one. Not seen new nursery use it yet, but last one did - It wasn't on much though.

They had some telly time between coming in from playing and going into dinner. They watched some children's TV and then during it kept pausing it and doing a bit of Q&A (that's in the older class from 2yo up).

In the walking - 2yo class it was used with singing and action videos, and the children joined in. It was used up there before food time again - whilst one of the nursery nurses was busy (in same room still) getting table set for dinner.

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BTW, TVs are used throughout education,. When used appropriately TV and videos/DVDs can be very educaional and great sources of information, just like books, personal experience, and the computer.

Really don't think that is necessary either. My ds's nursery definitely doesn't have one. My ds2 who is 7 sometimes watches the tv in 'big' school but only if its raining outside during break time or after school time and the tv is kept out of the classroom - they all sit in the big hall/corridor outside the classroom to watch it.

Maybe you could ask to talk to the teacher to see when the tv is used i.e to allow them to tidy up. However my ds's nursery lets them all sit down to have a story whilst the other helpers etc tidy up.

I would definitely want to know when they were being allowed to watch it and I am of the same mind as you as regards watching tv at home.

They had one at ds's nursery. It was kept out of the way but was used a couple of days a week for the children who were there all day as a wind-down period after lunch. I think it was quite useful in that context for the children who had outgrown nap time (but only just). Presumably pre-school is only for a few hours though, so it is a bit odd. I would ask them how often it's used, I can completely see your point.

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My dd's nursery school has one, they sometimes use it to show videos instead of having a story as a wind-down at the end of the session. I did complain when I found them showing Shrek one rainy day instead of sending them out to play as I personally didn't feel that Shrek is appropriate for a 3 year old and they haven't done it again.

My pre-school has a TV and they use it 'appropriatly'!! It is in the aged 2 - 3 room and is often as 'quiet time' around lunch. My dd aged 3.5 gets to watch it occassionaly for special stuff (unsure what!). I would just ask! They wouldn't use it to watch Hercules vids though (I hope)

I'd ask when they're allowed to watch it. They are probably using it in a controlled and limited way... one would hope!

My ds' (state) nursery has one - but they reassured us it was only ever used occasionally - primarily to help with Sing-Alongs (it's actually in the "Music" Room).

Ds (4) rotates between the 4 "play" rooms of the nursery, plus has break times outside in his 2.5 hours there - I doubt he would ever have TIME to watch it!

Our nursery has one - like tamum it's mostly used for "quiet time" after lunch, for those who are there all day and don't sleep then. Also sometimes in the last half an hour of the day when some have already left and others are being picked up, if it's too wet/cold for them to be outside then. I don't have a problem with it in that context - IMHO it's not realistic to expect ds at 3 to be doing "educational" things every minute of his day.

at ds' nursery they watch a disney film between 4pm-6pm when the parents are coming and going to collect children. i dont mind it at this time as it would be hard for them to concentrate if people keep ringing the buzzer to be let in and the children start leaving for the day.
id be concerned if they were sat there all day watching, but i know from ds' progress in his letters/numbers etc that they do do a lot of pre school work in the day.
as for watching a disney video, i have no problem with that- he is only, 4 not a teenager sitting his gcse's , i dont want education rammed down his throat constantly, i want him to enjoy nursery.

hhhhhmmmmmm my ds's pre-school have a tv too and tbh i felt the same as you intially twiglett

But...I can see the need for it on occassions

God DD would refuse to go to a nursery or house without a TV I think!!

DS Nursery has one as well and they do watch some things on it, usually during quiet period for those not having a nap and for when it is raining.

I am quite happy with it...we shouldn't expect 3 years old to be able to cope all day with constant stimulation and interesting activities....sometimes they need a little bit of time to sit and relax and chill out as well.

I do think 'we' sometimes (and I include myself in this) get hung up on the fact that they should be doing educational things that are good for them all day.

ds's nursery has a TV. Mainly used to picking up times and not every day. I don't mind at all. They seem to watch a mixture of stuff- from didgy 80's nursery rhyme type tapes to Shrek. I'm not fussed. I quite liked ds1 watching disney films as it gave him some cultural references that I could then try and use to get him interested in toys. He wouldn't sit and watch them at home (too fast I think).

Like others I don't really expect my two to be stimulated all the time- not even at nursery- a bit of time out can work well I think.

Our nursery has one - and "TV time" was for the last 20 minutes or so of a session when parents would be coming in and out, the children would all be in one area and kept away from the door.

They also watch TV in the afternoons in Reception - DD2 started 2 weeks ago and I would say she has watched TV every day since! Programmes revolve around "Numbers, Letters, All about Me, Starting School" etc with a bit of "Come Outside" thrown in

It has never bothered me in the slightest TBH. I think TV can be excellent tool in children's education.

I have no problem with my child's nursery showing videos and so on which are not "educational", I want her to have an enjoyable time wherever she is. My problem was that her nursery were showing a film which I had decided was not suitable viewing for my three year old in terms of being too intense and frightening in places. I know a lot of parents wouldn't have a problem showing their child Shrek but knowing my dd's reaction to such things, I do.

Perhaps you think I ought to get a life and relax, and perhaps you're right, but I believe that it is up to parents, not schools, to decide the amount and type of television which their children watch.

Yes, TV can be excellent in education and yes, it's great that they have the chance to "chill out". But I would prefer it not to be films which parents might feel uncomfortable with.

Errrr - I take it that message wasn't directed at me???!!!!

I'm replying to Twig's original message - haven't read the other messages!

No, Slinky, just a general message in response to people who seem to think that we were expecting our children to have educational stuff "rammed down their throats" all day! Sorry if it seemed a bit sharpish

Ahh - no probs

Ds's nursery had a TV and I was told that it was one for tellytubbies and tweenies as most of the 2-3 year olds liked to watch the tubbies and found it comforting to reatin that part of their home routine(!). I was told that most of the children were not interested in the tweenies but they were allowed to watch it if they wanted to.

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