AIBU to expect that my child doesn't watch tele at nursery?

[Ralph871]

My almost 3 year old has been attending the same nursery since we moved back to the UK from Australia last year. I'm happy with the nursery and he really likes it there, his wee brother who is 18 months started going a few months ago and I've had no complaints however tonight when I picked him up he was sat with 5 other kids watching cartoons on a large computer monitor, this is the third night in as many weeks that this has been the case.

He watches Tele at home of course although we do try to be on the stricter side but regardless of that Am I being unreasonable to expect that he doesn't watch tele at nursery?

I'm currently paying £1200 per month for them both to attend three days each as I work full time nightshift, kind of pisses me off to pay over a third of my salary to childcare and then find him sat watching tele.

What is Tele????

@OldTinHat

What is Tele????

Like you don't know or couldn't guess fgs.

What were they watching specifically? Some things, like Numberblocks, Alphablocks nursery rhymes and the like, can be educational.

*@OldTinHat You really can't work out what 'tele' might mean in the context of, 'He was watching tele'?

Are they just watching it at pick up time. When mine went to nursery the only time they watched TV was at pick up time so kids could get taken out when their parents arriving without them being in the middle of some activity or other.

Yanbu. One staff member used to do this at my kids nursery and it p@ssed me off no end. Always the same person, who obviously could not be arsed

When my DD was at nursery they watched things on the tablet sometimes. Wasn't too bothered as they did so many other activities during the day. And to be honest by 5pm they probably needed a bit of downtime.

If I was otherwise happy then no I wouldn't say anything. But if it was one of a number of things then may be look to change providers

I think it’s ok for the end of the day while staff are cleaning or tidying toys away. Sometimes the kids just need a little break from being on the go all day

@OldTinHat

What is Tele????

You must, surely, have heard of the medium of television? Tele is simply an abbreviation of television, the same as telly and TV are.

Sorry I had moved this to the AIBU thread as posted here by mistake.

They were watching crappy cartoons which I try to limit at home so I'm even more annoyed

Ds used to watch peppa pig at nursery at the end of the day. I didn't mind.

our childminder has the TV on in the mornings until the last child has arrived. I dont mind as everyone else is so good.

I'd be raging. You need to speak to management.

If the kids need downtime they usually have free reign to play or read books etc.

Wouldn’t bother me if they are there 9-10 hours a day

On the basis that you have said "when I picked him up tonight" and not at 3pm, I think you are being quite unreasonable.

There's a witching hour with small kids when they get overtired and clumsy and/or hyper and a total pita.

Kids need to unwind at the end of the day a bit like an adult sits down with a cup of tea or a cocktail. For the staff it's a very safe way to hold their attention while keeping them clean (post meal) and occupied while they clean up, gets stuff together to hand over to parents, complete any forms and get ready to go home, for both staff and kids.

Most kids will look forward to it as a treat. Don't be a killjoy.

For what it's worth this is also common in private fee paying prep schools where kids are spending 30 mins waiting for an older sibling to finish while they go home.

I'd much rather their teacher had to listen to Peppa pig or whatever than I did 😂

I'd be raging

Really? You'd be raging at kids watching a bit of telly at the end of a 10 hour day?

But the OP is paying for a service. The nursery staff are not parents trying to work/run a house etc. This is their job.

I'm sure the op can't turn on peppa pig while working

But the OP is paying for a service yes to look after her child which they are.

I think it depends, have you asked nursery why and for how long? If they’re there for long days it’s going to be quite difficult and ultimately make the children unhappy if it’s constant activity/play/learning. They need to wind down too.

Calm down. They're not watching a horror film. If it keeps them quietly occupied at pick up time when staff are tidying up and speaking to parents, I can't see the harm.

There is so much to do at the end of the day, paperwork, handing over children, maybe discussing an injury, collecting up belongings, having a chat with a parent etc etc. A bit of TV probably allows the staff to safely handover without the children needing much attention. I was a childminder and quite often we finished the day with a cartoon and a snack. They loved it and often chose Winnie the Pooh.

Relaxation time is important for kids too. They don't always have to be super stimulated, it's exhausting.

I have two DC in full-time nursery and I'd be very unimpressed with this.

I wouldn’t be impressed. Neither nursery we have used would have done this. My kids are always playing outside when I come to pick up, which I would always prefer over tv

My son always watches telly at home after nursery. He's a zombie and needs to unwind. You can't talk to him as he's done in. Sometimes he quietly plays on his own but the TV clearly helps him relax before bed. I really don't see it as a problem.

I worked in EY for years and not once had to resort to using a TV, and the majority didn't even have them. Yes pick up times can be crazy, lots to do etc, but if there's adequate staffing shouldn't be too hard to manage. Just as easy for one staff member to be reading a group story or song session etc. If it's been put on for a reason, to support a relevant topic or whatever then ok, but no I wouldn't be pleased with just mindless watching either. (Obviously different for childminders when there's only one adult just to add)