Watching tv/films at daycare

[Moo31]

DS who just turned 3 started a new daycare at the start of Sept. He goes 2 days per week and they have 3 weeks off due to covid. He has also had a couple of days off sick so all in all he's been there approx 15 days. We know of at least 4 times where they have sat them in front of a TV to watch a movie in the afternoon. Today's was Arthur Christmas which is approx 1hr 40min long. We pay almost £50/day for care from 8.30 to between 4.30 and 5.30. Aibu to think they shouldn't be putting them in front of the TV for almost 2 hrs a day?

He is in the preschool room and they say they run a high scope curriculum but we aren't seeing any evidence of that!

You’re right. They shouldn’t. Have you asked them why they are doing this? Are they short staffed ? Over ratio?

I’ve never heard of that happening at nursery.

That does sound strange are they following.EYFS or any other standard? Whats the ofsted rating of the nursery?

Our nursery most definitely did not use TV. I don’t think this is normal.

They aren't short staffed I don't think. There are always 2 staff in the room at drop off and pick up - its always the same 2 for the whole day as they don't have staff mixing between rooms / bubbles.

They post pics on the app of all the water bottles etc lined up and there's usually between 10 to 15 bottles. The ratio (we're in NI) is 1 adult to 8 kids.

That's way too much.

I was expecting 20 minutes of Cbeebies at the end of the afternoon while staff clear up, and I was all prepared to tell you to chill, but no you're right to question this.

What reason have they given for so much tv ?

Its part of a chain. He was at a different branch but it closed permanently due to covid so we transferred him to this one. It was one of the questions we asked when we looked round the first branch and they said they didn't have a TV (and he never did watch TV there as far as we know). So we didn't expect them to have one at this one as we were told everything was exactly the same as the other branch except the building and the staff. They said they ran the same activities, daily schedule, themes, etc.

Its a private day care so I am not sure it would have an ofsted (or NI equivalent) rating? But I will look into this.

I think it would be ok if it was half hour watching something educational like CBeebies so they could chill out for a while. But I don't think a proper film for that age group is necessary. My DS would have found that really boring.

@Moo31

If your in the UK all settings taking children for more than 2.5 hours will be Ofsted inspected but nurseries can change ownership allowing them a fresh inspection even if staff haven't changed and its a transfer of ownership.

I used to think TV etc was OK. But it is really bad for their listening and attention. First of all I would ask to see their media policy. Then I would clarify just what he is watching and for how long. I would be looking for more information on the situation.

Thank you all for your advice - so helpful.

I did some investigating and they are subject to inspection by the Department of Education's Early Years Team - I spoke to someone there today who said to ask the nursery for the report in the first instance. I also told them my concerns (there are more than just the TV) and they said to put it all in writing to the nursery first and if I am not satisfied then I can use DE's formal complaints route.

How do you know they are watching this much TV? Are staff saying this or your child?

It would be very unusual for a nursery to put on a whole film but they might use snippets of a film for discussion or a project? It’s worth asking the manager to clarify.

@Tumbleweed101 twice they have put pictures on the app of them sitting watching TV with a caption "afternoon treat watching [name of film]" and the other times they have told us when we picked him up "we watched [name of film] this afternoon"

I know 17month old Ds watched the gruffalo today, at nursery, but they did say it was a one off for Xmas and wasn't the only thing they did today.

At least the gruffalo is only half an hour long @bellaphant

He has watched 2 movies since I last posted including the grinch (which I'm not sure is appropriate for 3yos but he absolutely loved it). They have addressed some of out other issues so things have improved. If the movies continue in the new year we will raise it though.

@Moo31, I clearly need to watch the gruffalo!

That does sound super rubbish though: as you said, what are you paying them for!

Fair enough if they are telling you. No, we wouldn’t put on whole films during preschool sessions. We do use clips as talking points such as Halloween, firework night, Xmas etc. Check what they are watching is U rated too.

Absolutely not okay! We watch a film once a year at Christmas.