The World Health Organisation recommends that children under five should spend no more than one hour of screen time per day. In Northern Ireland, nurseries are taking varied approaches, reflecting a wider debate among parents and professionals.

At St Teresa’s Nursery School in West Belfast, digital tools are used regularly to support learning. Principal Clare Evans believes technology can be transformative when used safely. “It isn’t about children sitting watching Peppa Pig all day,” she said, but about finding ways to help children engage and learn. She shared a story of a shy pupil who struggled to interact until he responded positively to digital learning tools like tablets and interactive whiteboards. Since the pandemic, more children have been entering schools with delays in development, particularly in speech and coordination. According to Evans, digital inclusion has helped address these challenges, particularly around communication, engagement, and self-regulation.

However, not all early years professionals agree. Aaron Ferguson, owner of Petite Feet Nursery in Newtownabbey, takes pride in offering off-screen environments. “When you leave your child at our nursery, they don’t have access to screens,” he said. Ferguson believes young children benefit more from physical play, peer interaction, and hands-on activities than from digital tools.

Professor Karen Winter of Queen's University Belfast, co-author of the Toddlers, Tech and Talk project, recognises the diverse approach nurseries take. While some use screens as part of the routine – such as music from Alexa or apps for documentation – she stresses that dialogue between parents and nurseries is essential. “There are benefits to using digital technology – and to avoiding it,” she said, highlighting the need for balance and informed decision-making.