ofsted and the use of computers at playschool

[eastendgirl]

Yesterday I discovered that my ds some mornings spends 2 1/2 hours playing with the computer at playschool. I told the play leader that I was not happy about this, and she said that ofsted says that children at the age of 3 should be free to choose what to play with, they can encourage him to do something else but if he wants to be on the computer then according to Ofsted that's fine. As far as I am concerned they should not have computers in the class room at all at 3. What do you think?

most pre-schools will have a computer now, but as a general rule they shouldnt be on it for the whole time, the leader is right in that ofsted state that children must have free play, however, if its a pre-school as opposed to a playgroup, i would assume that they are doing basic key working etc as well?

I don't have a problem with PCs in playschools, but I would be concerned that they weren't encouraging your DS to do other things as well. It would be just as bad if he did nothing but lego for 2.5 hours!

Yes, even our nursery has one, they have suitable software which teaches the kids basic skills, how do you know it is 2.5 hours.

If dd was playing with something that interested her for 2.5 hours I would be pleased with that, rather than have her marched off to do something that a) she doesn't want to and b) that she will learn nothing from because she's not interested in it.

Ofsted actively reccomend the use of computers in pre-schools, it's all about developing knowledge and understanding of ICT. ICT is now a recognised subject in schools, up there with maths, english and science so I would be happy if a pre-school I chose provided this resource for dd (and the other children). Think of all the learning you lo is doing on the pc, learning how to work with technology, not to mention the physical skills, hand-eye coordination (mouse and typing). That's not including all the specialised programs these settings have on pc's, numeracy, literacy etc.

loopylou - most people send their children to preschool to "socialise". Sitting at a computer for the whole time does rather limit the child in the OP from doing this.

Usually computers are so popular that a 10 or 20 minute limit is imposed on them so that everyone can have a go.

I know he did 2.5 hours because i was there on the parent-rota. All my ds did in those hours is shout "Teletubbies" and switch the computer on and off, he was looking at the teletubbies site. He certainly wasn't learning about numbers or letters. Totally mindless I think. I send ds to pre-school to socialize and play, I would be happier if he run around endlessly, I don't expect the workers to force him to do letter/numbers.

free play is the new thing the government has brought it. i'm surprised that you son can spend 2.5 hours on it though, it's usually very popular!

That sounds very odd.

Ofsted does indeed like computers and 'programmable toys', but in every pre-school setting I've ever seen, computers were an additional feature that wasn't part of the free-choice part of playgroup.

At our playgroup we get our computer out every couple of weeks. Children get maximum of about 15 minutes on the computer before it's someone else's turn - we try to make sure all children get a turn over the course of a few days.

Same with our programmable robot - we take it into another room with 2-3 children and they have a short go before rejoining the other children.

While I think computer skills are very important, they are only a minor part of what a pre-school should be about in my opinion and I would actually object if my child was on a computer for 2 1/2 hours - even my 13 year old isn't allowed to do that!

What does he do on the computer? I don't think OFSTED aims to encourage 3 year old to spend 2.5 hours on a computer per day. I believe the recommended TV exposure for a 3 year olds is only 1 hour a day.
I've this book in front of me called, "The Little Book of ICT" written by Andrew Trythall (publisher is Featherstone Education). Activities they suggest include: Make you own books, using paint programmes, using a computer to support role-play, making live music, enquring and researching. If he's doing these sorts of activities then it may be understandable. Making your own book would take some time. I'm puzzled as to when the other children get the opportunity to go on the computer if you son seems stick to it!

To be honest the other kids were not that interested in the computer. I will have words with the play leader tomorrow.

Hi eastendgirl, I volunteer at ds's nursery to teach the children computer skills BUT I have their computer on for half an hour/an hour (depending on number of children) at the most. I wouldn't (as an ex-IT person!) like to hear that ds was sat in front of a computer for that long either.
I understand that children have to select their own play etc but I think they can control it by simply turning it off after an agreed time. hth

I think it is important for children to become familar with computers in this day and age. 2 and a half hours does seem a long time though. I don't approve of computer games and play stations though but it is important at this age for them to have free play and at my son's nursery they are encouraged to try lots of different activities within the free play time slot. It is important for this generation to be able to navigate there way around a computer. I let my son go on mine and we look at the cbeebies website etc.