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Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

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Original poster

Watching TV at nursery - what should I do?

12 replies

graciewoo · 16/03/2006 16:46

Hi all.

My ds started nursery about 6 weeks ago (he's 30mths). He goes for two afternoons a week. I'm full-time at home with him and baby dd and thought it would be a good opportunity for him (and give me a bit of a break!!) He seems to be settling in well and is becoming quite attached to the staff and other children.

Thing is, the last few times I have picked him up they have been watching television - i think they are Disney videos. Is this normal? The staff are not trying to cover it up but I was somewhat surprised. I mean I am paying £12 a session and watching the television is something he can do for free at home!

I was really keen for him to go to a local pre-school instead but there were no spaces. However they have contacted me to let me know he can start with them after Easter so long as he is potty-trained (which I am doing at the moment).

Sorry for rambling on but I don't know what to do. I'm really not happy about this tv thing at nursery and would prefer him to start at the pre-school after Easter but am concerned about the effect this might have on him?

Any advice/comments would be much appreciated.

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starlover · 16/03/2006 16:48

have you asked what else they do?

it might just be a wind-down thing at the end of the day so they're not tearing around like mad things at picking up time

juliab · 16/03/2006 16:50

Hi graciewoo
I don't think this is that uncommon actually.
I think the staff put the videos on at collecting time to distract the ones who haven't been collected yet from seeing the others trotting off home with their parents/carers.

alexsmum · 16/03/2006 16:51

ds used to go to a private nursery for a couple of sessions a week.I was in the same position as you.And they also used to put a video on for them for the last hour or half hour.It was to chill them out and occupy them while they were all being picked up at different times.
Didn't bother me hugely.It bothers me more now when he comes home from school and says they've been watching videos-really gets my goat!
i'd send him to the state nursery- it'll probably be more of a preparation for school.

Original poster

graciewoo · 16/03/2006 16:55

Hi starlover,

he does do lots of other activities during the session. I haven't asked them how long they watch the television for but you may be right about the winding-down thing before collection - I hadn't thought of it like that.

OP posts:

Hulababy · 16/03/2006 16:57

DD's first nursery had a TV and they did use it most days, as part of quiet time after lunch and tea. They would show a programme and keep pausing it, and do Q&A type things witht he children. So it was used in an educatioal way, whilst allowing some of the staff to be busy tidying away the food/plates etc.

I would ask how it is used, when and how long for, and the purpose of using the TV.

Hulababy · 16/03/2006 16:57

I would ask how it is used, when and how long for, and the purpose of using the TV.

FrannyandZooey · 16/03/2006 17:03

I think this is a really shoddy lazy habit of nurseries. The fact that it seems to be a common practice does not mean that it is ok. They could just as easily read stories to distract the children at home time. I would speak to them about it and let them know you don't approve. If parents don't give feedback they have no reason to change anything.

Original poster

graciewoo · 16/03/2006 17:09

Thanks for all your responses.

Its put my mind at rest that its not all that unusual though I have to agree with you, FrannyandZooey, that reading to them would have the same effect.

I think I would still prefer to go down the pre-school route after Easter.

Any advice welcomed on how to deal with a change in childcare.

OP posts:

Pinotmum · 16/03/2006 17:10

The pre-school should take him in trainer pants tbh. If he soils they may insist you return to change him if they haven't got adequate changing facilities but they can't exclude him if he isn't potty trained. I work in a pre-school and we change soiled nappies as we have adequate facilites - some pre-schools don't (if in a church hall for instance). However most of the children in trainers don't poo at pre-school so it's not an issue .

Original poster

graciewoo · 16/03/2006 17:19

Thanks, Pinotmum. He is doing really well with the potty training - started last weekend and he seems to have got the hang of it now with only the odd accident every few days. Hopefully he will be ok to go in his big boy pants after Easter.

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Tommy · 16/03/2006 17:26

My DS1 was in a nursery/day care place for a short time. He started after half term in the November and left after half term in the following Feb. I was very anxious about moving him but TBH wasn' t happy with the place so knew it was the best thing to do. I told him that the nursery school he went in the Feb was for big boys and he was too old for the daycare place now. He was absolutly fine and loves his nursery school 9and more importantly, so do I )
Moving really wasn't an issue for him at all
Good luck

Original poster

graciewoo · 16/03/2006 17:32

Thank you so much Tommy that has really reassured me. Great idea about selling it to him as a "big boy" thing as this is what I have been doing with the potty training and ds loves being referred to as a big boy especially now he's got baby dd!

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