Since 1 September 2026, paragraph 3.93 of the EYFS for childminders says you must have regard to the Department for Education's guidance, Help for early years providers: Screen use, published in July 2026. "Have regard to" means you have to read it, take it into account and be able to explain your approach. It doesn't set a fixed number of minutes.
The guidance builds on advice for parents published in March 2026. Read the setting guidance itself on GOV.UK before writing your policy, because it's the document an inspector will expect you to know.
Deciding your approach
Start with what actually happens in your setting. Plenty of childminders don't use screens with children at all, and if that's you, the policy can be two sentences. If you do use them, think about which children, how often, what for and who chooses what's on.
Screens in a home setting include more than a television. Your own phone, a tablet used for photos, a smart speaker and older children's devices all count, and parents often worry most about the adult phone in the room.
What a screen time policy should cover
- Whether children use screens with you at all.
- If they do: for what, how long, and how you choose what they watch or play.
- How you use your own phone and devices while you're caring for children.
- What older children who bring their own devices can do with them.
- How you share your approach with parents and fit in with what they do at home.
How it looks in your contract
GoChildmind asks whether children use screens with you, and writes the policy from your answer.
From a GoChildmind contract
Screen use. Children only use screens occasionally, for a short activity I choose and watch with them, never to fill time or at mealtimes. I have regard to the Department for Education's guidance, Help for early years providers: Screen use, and I keep my own phone use to what I need for the setting while I am caring for children.
Put your own details in, freeRead the full sample contract
Photos overlap with this, and most childminders take them on a device used only for the setting. My phones and cameras guide covers that.
Questions people ask
Is there a screen time limit for childminders? The EYFS doesn't set one. It requires you to have regard to the DfE's screen use guidance and be able to explain your approach.
Do I need a separate screen time policy? The EYFS doesn't say it must be separate. A short section in your health and wellbeing or phones policy is enough, as long as it covers how you use screens and devices.