Screen time at childcare: what do the guidelines say?
You know the feeling: at home you keep your child away from screens as much as possible, but at the daycare center you suddenly spot a tablet in the group. Or your toddler tells you they 'watched videos' at the after-school care (BSO). What is and isn't allowed when it comes to screen use at childcare? And how do you make sure the rules at home and at the group are aligned? In this article, you'll read about the concrete guidelines that apply, what to look for in the pedagogical policy plan, and how to start the conversation with your childcare provider.
What do the Dutch guidelines say about screen use in young children?
The official guidelines from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) and the RIVM are clear: for children under 2 years, no screen time is recommended. For toddler care children aged 2 to 4, the limit is a maximum of half an hour per day. For children aged 4 to 12, the boundary is set at a maximum of 1 to 2 hours of recreational screen time per day.
These guidelines apply to the entire day, so home and childcare combined. That makes it extra important for you as a parent to know what's happening at the group. Half an hour at the daycare center (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) means there's no room left for television or a phone at home.
For babies, there's an additional consideration: their eyes and brains develop best through direct interaction with people, not through moving images on a screen. The sensitive responsiveness of a childcare professional – responding directly to your child's signals – is much more valuable at that age than any educational app.
What about screen use at the daycare center (kinderdagverblijf/KDV)?
At a daycare center for babies and toddlers (0-4 years), screen use should ideally not occur at all. The Childcare Act (Wet IKK) and the basic pedagogical goals emphasize emotional security, personal competence, and social interaction – things that come into their own best without the intervention of a screen.
Yet in practice, you'll see differences. Some locations use a tablet for music or a digital child tracking system, while others deliberately have no screens in the group at all. The difference often lies in the pedagogical vision. A Montessori or Pikler location will generally be much stricter than a regular daycare center where digital learning is sometimes integrated into activities for the oldest toddlers.
What you want to know as a parent:
- Are screens used in the baby group? (This should really never happen)
- At what times and for what purpose are tablets or computers used?
- Is there a written policy on media education?
- How is sufficient attention given to alternatives such as outdoor play, crafts, and reading aloud?
And at after-school care (BSO)?
At the BSO (4-12 years), the situation is different. Children are older, the guidelines are less strict, and the care often coincides with free time after school. Here, screen use is more accepted, but still with boundaries.
A good BSO makes conscious choices: gaming might be allowed, but not all afternoon. Some locations have a 'screen-free day' or limit screens to certain time slots. Others use technology specifically as a reward after homework or outdoor activities. The most important thing is that there is structure and balance.
Ask specifically during a tour:
- Is there a maximum amount of screen time per day?
- May children use their own phones, or are these handed in?
- What do the childcare professionals themselves do: are they on their phones during supervision?
- How are children encouraged to do other things as well?
What does the pedagogical policy plan say about media education?
Every registered childcare facility is legally required to have a pedagogical policy plan. It must state how the location approaches children's development – and that includes media education. Not every policy plan explicitly mentions screen use, but at a quality childcare provider, you will find something about this.
Look for terms such as 'media education', 'digital literacy', 'screen time', or 'technology'. Is there nothing about it? That's not in itself a reason to panic, but it is a good conversation topic during the intake interview. A childcare provider that thinks about these themes usually makes that explicitly visible in their policy.
You can also consult the GGD inspection report. Although the Municipal Health Service (GGD) does not specifically check screen use, they do look at the pedagogical climate and whether the daily program fits the developmental goals. It's best to combine the GGD report with your own impression during a tour.
How do you start the conversation with the childcare provider?
The biggest frustration for many parents is the feeling of inconsistency: strict at home, relaxed at childcare. Or the other way around. To prevent this, open communication is essential. Here are concrete steps:
- Make your expectations clear during the intake interview. For example, say: 'We don't use screens for our baby at home. How does that work here?'
- Ask about the daily program. A busy schedule with lots of outdoor play, crafts, and music naturally leaves less room for screens.
- Discuss what your child brings. Some BSOs ask children to hand in their phones, others don't. Know what you're getting into.
- Indicate if you do things differently at home. 'Our toddler never watches television at home, so we'd appreciate it if that's the same here.'
- Check in regularly with your child. Ask in a neutral tone what they've done: 'Did you do anything with the tablet today?' Not accusatory, but involved.
Keep in mind that childcare locations make their own pedagogical choices. You can't dictate everything, but you can look for a location where the vision aligns with that of your family.
Pedagogical visions and screen use: where do you see differences?
Not every childcare provider looks at technology the same way. A Montessori location will usually avoid screens because the emphasis is on concrete, sensory materials and independent action. At Reggio Emilia, creative expression is central; technology can sometimes be used as a documentation tool, but not as a replacement for interaction.
A regular daycare center without a specific vision sometimes makes more pragmatic choices. A tablet with an educational game can be a handy tool to create some calm, for example during pick-up time. Or not – that varies by location.
The question you need to ask yourself: what do I find most important for my child? Do you want a childcare provider that completely excludes technology, or one that uses it consciously and in moderation? Both are legitimate, but you do need to find one that suits you.
Practical tips for home and at childcare
- Be consistent: if you don't have screens for your toddler at home, then look for a daycare center (KDV) that maintains the same approach.
- Make agreements about bringing devices: at some BSOs, children may bring their own tablet. Discuss in advance what you think about this.
- Look at the big picture: half an hour of screen time at the BSO is less of a problem if your child then plays outside for another two hours.
- Trust your instincts: if you notice your child at home only talks about 'watching videos' at childcare, it's time for a conversation.
Conclusion: choose a childcare provider that fits your media education approach
Screen time at childcare is not a black-and-white story. The guidelines are clear – no screens under 2, maximum half an hour for toddlers – but the implementation varies by location. As a parent, you're wise to explicitly discuss this topic during your search, check the pedagogical policy plan, and regularly evaluate how it works in practice.
On Kiddie.nl, you compare childcare locations on more than just price and distance. Also look at the pedagogical vision, the daily program, and the way locations approach themes such as media education. This way, you'll find a place where your child can develop optimally – with or without screens.