TV on at pre-school - is this normal???

[pregnabrain]

Hello
Have just started looking into pre-school options for dd. Went to see a place today and my general impression was really positive. But one thing bothered me. When I arrived I noticed that in one corner of the room the TV was on and that about half the kids were watching it.
I asked the main nursery worker what the TV was 'used for', thinking that maybe it was some sort of DVD designed for early learning, but she got really defensive and just said quickly, 'It's only on for 10-15 minutes in between activities'.
To be fair, they did switch it off after a short while and embarked on a seed planting activity but I couldn't help thinking it was quite weird.
I left wondering just how long it's REALLY on for, IYSWIM.
Does anyone know if this is common? Am I just being paranoid?
I'm quite strict about restricting access to TV at home and it seems a bit annoying that my hard work would be undone at nursery.
Thanks for all advice...

[bambino1]

I run a nursery and we have a tv. It goes on for 10 minutes after dinner time. This is so the children sit down and let dinner go down. One member of staff sits near by filling out day sheets, one does nappies before afternoon session, one washes up and the other cleans floor area, tables and puts out afternoon activity. It works well for us and I have never had any complaints. I only show educational material.

[pregnabrain]

I can totally see the value of it in the context you've just described. But having it on mid-morning when it's a period of 'free play' seems different to me.

And it was definitely more than 10 mins even just while I was there. I have no idea how long it was on altogether...

I think I'm going to call them tomorrow and talk about it with them. Maybe they'll reassure me. Seems a shame to discount the place completely without giving them a chance to explain it.

[LIZS]

At dd's playgroup they used to watch a Spot video or something like the Hungry Caterpillar after snack while the leader cleared the first phase of free play away and set up the more structured activity. tbh it never bothered me as they did a lot of creative stuff and as it was a small group had lots of social and individual attention too. If there are a number of members of staff I would have thought they could have an alternative group activity going on - story or discussion of the current theme.

If I were you , I'd drop by unannounced at a different time and try to gauge how much it is on and whether the children are distracted from other activities by it or if it is on at other times than you were told. What were the other children doing while the tv was on ?

The tv issue alone wouldn't put me off but if I felt they were being dishonest or lazy it would. How is the preschool run , wodul you be able to pressure the committee to change this for example ?

[SSShakeTheChi]

I wouldn't choose a nursery/pre-school that has a tv TBH

[twoisenoughmum]

He was only there for 2 terms. From age 2 and a half to 3 and a bit. He goes to school nursery now, 5 mornings a week, 2.5 hours per session. But he qualifies for school nursery very young because he is a September-born baby. Honestly, I was very sad indeed when he had to leave that place and wish he could have stayed a bit longer.

I think you should raise the issue of the tv with them and would be interested to hear what they say.

I went there lots of times a little bit later than session started and a little bit earlier than when it ended (because I have an older child to drop off/pick up from school a few miles away) so was often there at a time when they wouldn't expect parents to be there. And I always thought the staff were doing an excellent job. TBH, you are very unlikely to ever find the perfect nursery.

[pregnabrain]

I'll definitely let you know what they say. My husband's going to go and see it too, so maybe he'll see another side to it.

LIZS - not sure how it's run, other than that it's privately owned ie. not a school nursery. Think I'll just go and talk to them about it and, if i'm still not convinced, I'll make sure I let them know why I'm not putting her name down there.

[pregnabrain]

A quick follow-up.

Husband went to see the place a couple of days ago. It was one of the amazing warm days we had this week. Got there to find TV off and most of the kids out painting in the lovely garden. Totally impressed! Plus, he talked to the main nursery worker about the TV issue and she said that they do have it every day, but only to watch Ballamory. So, I'm softening...

Am planning a second baby soon so I expect, once that happens, the TV will become a lot more important in our lives anyway .

I'm going to put her down on the list...