What is your daycare's policy on tv?

[Anonymous]

We use an in-home daycare, and it seems like the tv's on for at least some time every day. I had been told that the kids watch just a half hour on Fridays as a treat of sorts. That seemed reasonable. But now, it seems like the kids fall asleep during naptime with the tv on every day (maybe other times, too?). This seems like a big deal to me, but I want to make sure I'm not overreacting. We are otherwise happy with the daycare.

We aren't 100% against watching tv, but we do like to limit it, and I'm not paying for the daycare to plop my kid in front of the tv, even for a little while. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Personally, I wouldn't like it. We were pretty strict about no tv under age 2 and even now DD only gets 30-60min per week of tv. Daycare would occasionally bust out the laptop to put on some Spanish childrens' music videos on YouTube and then teach the songs to the kids to sing and dance. I was fine with that.

[Anonymous]

Personally I see no reason it should be used at all. ONLY possible exception is if it is a home daycare with just 1 person who needs to prepare lunch for the kids. Unless that's the case, I see no reason why it is reasonable.

[Anonymous]

I run a daycare. We have a television in a room the children aren't allowed in.

[Anonymous]

I would be pretty upset about this. A Friday movie would be fine with me, but that's it.

[Anonymous]

the TV was one of the main reasons we left our in-home daycare. it seemed like it was on all the time. when we toured our current daycare, i asked about their tv policy, and mentioned our situation and the daycare director mentioned that the women could lose her license. i can be understanding if the provider needs to prepare food or run to the bathroom, but the TV was on when we arrived and when we picked him up.

[Anonymous]

the TV was one of the main reasons we left our in-home daycare. it seemed like it was on all the time. when we toured our current daycare, i asked about their tv policy, and mentioned our situation and the daycare director mentioned that the women could lose her license. i can be understanding if the provider needs to prepare food or run to the bathroom, but the TV was on when we arrived and when we picked him up.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for confirming my instinct. What's the best way to handle it? Any ideas on how to bring this up with the daycare provider?

[Anonymous]

This would be a big deal for me. Honestly, I would look for a new daycare. Our center has no TVs. Have you looked into centers? I always thought a home daycare would be better but I love our daycare because there is so much oversight.

[Anonymous]

Honestly I think you'll end up having to move your DC, but it's worth a shot before you do....I'd say to your provider that you've noticed that the TV seems on pretty frequently and you're not happy with that- you would like to see it revert to the the policy you were told when you started - a 1/2 hr on Fridays (or whatever it was). It may help if you know a few of the other parents so it's not just you complaining but others too - I cant imagine any parent thinks that is just hunky dory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly I think you'll end up having to move your DC, but it's worth a shot before you do....I'd say to your provider that you've noticed that the TV seems on pretty frequently and you're not happy with that- you would like to see it revert to the the policy you were told when you started - a 1/2 hr on Fridays (or whatever it was). It may help if you know a few of the other parents so it's not just you complaining but others too - I cant imagine any parent thinks that is just hunky dory.

Seriously, i think it is a crock those parents who come in and complain about the tv being on. And those who claim to never watch tv while their child is awake. etc etc etc. I grew up with a tv, my kids, my grandkids. I have a policy in place where the kids watch tv when they first come in (while I am getting breakfast), and sometimes during the time I am getting lunch ready. Whats funny is I have parents who want tv limited, yet their kids are the very ones coming in telling me how they saw this at home, or we watched this. Or mommy lets us watch this, etc etc etc. So before proclaiming to your provider how you are a tv free home, be sure the kids dont spill their guts. I see right through these families.

[Anonymous]

I think it is a very bad quality daycare where kids watch TV. Maybe laptop or PC where to use for songs or educational. But let kids watching TV while someone preparing breakfast, lunch is not the best practice, kids need to supervised all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is a very bad quality daycare where kids watch TV. Maybe laptop or PC where to use for songs or educational. But let kids watching TV while someone preparing breakfast, lunch is not the best practice, kids need to supervised all the time.

My kids ARE supervised at all times. My kitchen is maybe 10 feet from where they are sitting. What do you propose? The kids come stand next to a hot stove/oven while I cook? Parents want it all, there has to be some kind of compromise. If the kids cant be left 10 feet from me to watch an EDUCATIONAL show on tv or GULP mickey mouse club house or Dora, so I can cook, maybe the parents should then bring the food in so I dont have to be away from the kids. I DO hope you dont think I should take them into the bathroom with me while I do my business. Thank god not all my parents are like this. I have others who wouldnt care if their child have tv time or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly I think you'll end up having to move your DC, but it's worth a shot before you do....I'd say to your provider that you've noticed that the TV seems on pretty frequently and you're not happy with that- you would like to see it revert to the the policy you were told when you started - a 1/2 hr on Fridays (or whatever it was). It may help if you know a few of the other parents so it's not just you complaining but others too - I cant imagine any parent thinks that is just hunky dory.

Seriously, i think it is a crock those parents who come in and complain about the tv being on. And those who claim to never watch tv while their child is awake. etc etc etc. I grew up with a tv, my kids, my grandkids. I have a policy in place where the kids watch tv when they first come in (while I am getting breakfast), and sometimes during the time I am getting lunch ready. Whats funny is I have parents who want tv limited, yet their kids are the very ones coming in telling me how they saw this at home, or we watched this. Or mommy lets us watch this, etc etc etc. So before proclaiming to your provider how you are a tv free home, be sure the kids dont spill their guts. I see right through these families.

Ok, but I'm paying for this service. I could have hired someone way way cheaper if I was ok with this. And OP was told TV was only for Fridays, so she does have that expectation.

[Anonymous]

We do not allow the computer or TV on more than 2 hours a week and we did not tolerate computers or TV at preschool or daycare either. That includes smartboards. We practice what we want our schools to follow. This is why we've never gone with a daycare with only one person running the show.