Smartwatch at Daycare

[daycarediva]

Nope. No electronics.

I do allow toys from home on share days, but no movies/ipads/electronics at all. (and for those toys with batteries, they get taken out or turned off).

[CityGarden]

A child came to daycare wearing a kids smartwatch. I took it away and the parent asked why their child couldnt wear it. I said its because I dont allow toys from home, its distracting hearing the beeping alll the time especially while trying to teach and read stories. I also thought it was common sense, no daycare or school i know of would allow electronics.
If it were a regular, no sound no games, watch then it would have been fine. But why would they need to wear a smartwatch to daycare? Would any of you allow it?

I would not allow it in my preschool / daycare. The first reason that comes to mind reading this post is liability - which is likely the reason I would share with the parents. The children independently wash hands, paint, make play dough, play with clay, go to the park daily, dig in sand, etc. we have plenty of toys and activities at school so there is no need for items from home and I assume no responsibility for items from home. For this reason, I do not allow toys from home other than a small stuffed animal to sleep with and their lunch which are given to children at controlled times.

I wouldn't allow it for a young child, like preschool age. I don't feel they would be responsible enough to keep it from getting broken, plus its too much of a distraction.

I do have a SA (a 10 yr old) who got one for Christmas. I don't think much of it because he's a really responsible kid, and doesn't spend much time playing with it when he's here, which is only about 40 minutes after school. He's going into middle school next year, and his mom got it for him so he can message her when he gets home, as he won't be coming here anymore. So, he's been practicing with it when he gets here to let her know when he arrives.

So it would just depend on the situation and how old the child is if I would allow it.

Do you mind sharing what kind of watch the 10 year old has? Is it an apple watch or something else? If something else will you check and share what it is?

I ask because my dd (11) will be in middle school next year, walking home from school, going to friends sometimes after, etc. she uses a "family" flip phone but once she enters middle school I want something that we can talk and text (she cannot easily text with her flip phone) but not something that makes the internet user friendly. Her grandparents are considering giving her an iPhone and I am looking for alternatives....

[Josiegirl]

I cannot wrap my head around the fact that a 3 yo would have or need a smart watch.
Instead of worrying about specifying toys or jewelry you could also say no electronics are allowed. Why would parents send such an expensive little item on a 3 yo wrist anyways?? I've had a dcb, might have been around 4-5 at the time, who used to have the worst temper tantrums when told no and he used to throw his laptop or whatever his electronics of the month were. Kids need to prove they're responsible enough for something like that, in the first place.
I'm sure I must sound like the technology dinosaur that I am but really... smart watch for a 3 yo?

[Blackcat31]

I cannot wrap my head around the fact that a 3 yo would have or need a smart watch.
Instead of worrying about specifying toys or jewelry you could also say no electronics are allowed. Why would parents send such an expensive little item on a 3 yo wrist anyways?? I've had a dcb, might have been around 4-5 at the time, who used to have the worst temper tantrums when told no and he used to throw his laptop or whatever his electronics of the month were. Kids need to prove they're responsible enough for something like that, in the first place.
I'm sure I must sound like the technology dinosaur that I am but really... smart watch for a 3 yo?

Most adults aren't responsible enough for that.. ::

Of course, I'd be willing to bet most parents would keep better track of their phone than their child though...

[hwichlaz]

I would not allow it in my preschool / daycare. The first reason that comes to mind reading this post is liability - which is likely the reason I would share with the parents. The children independently wash hands, paint, make play dough, play with clay, go to the park daily, dig in sand, etc. we have plenty of toys and activities at school so there is no need for items from home and I assume no responsibility for items from home. For this reason, I do not allow toys from home other than a small stuffed animal to sleep with and their lunch which are given to children at controlled times.



Do you mind sharing what kind of watch the 10 year old has? Is it an apple watch or something else? If something else will you check and share what it is?

I ask because my dd (11) will be in middle school next year, walking home from school, going to friends sometimes after, etc. she uses a "family" flip phone but once she enters middle school I want something that we can talk and text (she cannot easily text with her flip phone) but not something that makes the internet user friendly. Her grandparents are considering giving her an iPhone and I am looking for alternatives....

I'd let her grandparents get her the iphone. It has amazing parental controls on it. You can disable EVERYTHING except for calling mom if you want to.

[Homebody]

I would not allow it in my preschool / daycare. The first reason that comes to mind reading this post is liability - which is likely the reason I would share with the parents. The children independently wash hands, paint, make play dough, play with clay, go to the park daily, dig in sand, etc. we have plenty of toys and activities at school so there is no need for items from home and I assume no responsibility for items from home. For this reason, I do not allow toys from home other than a small stuffed animal to sleep with and their lunch which are given to children at controlled times.



Do you mind sharing what kind of watch the 10 year old has? Is it an apple watch or something else? If something else will you check and share what it is?

I ask because my dd (11) will be in middle school next year, walking home from school, going to friends sometimes after, etc. she uses a "family" flip phone but once she enters middle school I want something that we can talk and text (she cannot easily text with her flip phone) but not something that makes the internet user friendly. Her grandparents are considering giving her an iPhone and I am looking for alternatives....

He won't be coming today, but I will try to remember to ask tomorrow.

[Homebody]

I would not allow it in my preschool / daycare. The first reason that comes to mind reading this post is liability - which is likely the reason I would share with the parents. The children independently wash hands, paint, make play dough, play with clay, go to the park daily, dig in sand, etc. we have plenty of toys and activities at school so there is no need for items from home and I assume no responsibility for items from home. For this reason, I do not allow toys from home other than a small stuffed animal to sleep with and their lunch which are given to children at controlled times.



Do you mind sharing what kind of watch the 10 year old has? Is it an apple watch or something else? If something else will you check and share what it is?

I ask because my dd (11) will be in middle school next year, walking home from school, going to friends sometimes after, etc. she uses a "family" flip phone but once she enters middle school I want something that we can talk and text (she cannot easily text with her flip phone) but not something that makes the internet user friendly. Her grandparents are considering giving her an iPhone and I am looking for alternatives....

Its called a GizmoGadget watch by LG...I think its only offered by Verizon

[CityGarden]

I'd let her grandparents get her the iphone. It has amazing parental controls on it. You can disable EVERYTHING except for calling mom if you want to.

Its called a GizmoGadget watch by LG...I think its only offered by Verizon

Thanks Homebody! Sadly we do not have Verizon that watch looks like what I would want for dd.

hwichlaz I do understand like the ease of locking down apple devices. Thanks for mentioning that I forgot about the aspect.

Still pondering....