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Daycare Screen Time Guide 2026: Policies & Guidelines

Complete guide to screen time at daycare in 2026. AAP guidelines, program policies, and what to expect.

DRT
DaycarePath Research Team
Media Specialists
December 27, 2025
1 min read
Daycare Screen Time Guide 2026: Policies & Guidelines

Screen time policies vary among programs. Understanding guidelines helps you find aligned care.

Table of Contents


AAP Guidelines

| Age | Recommendation | |-----|----------------| | Under 18 months | Avoid (except video chat) | | 18-24 months | Limited, high-quality | | 2-5 years | 1 hour/day maximum |


Program Policies

| Policy Type | Description | |-------------|-------------| | Screen-free | No screens at all | | Limited | Occasional, specific use | | Educational only | Learning purposes |


Questions to Ask

| Question | Why | |----------|-----| | What's your screen policy? | Know expectations | | How often are screens used? | Frequency | | What content? | Quality check | | Can I opt out? | Your preference |


Resources


Last updated: December 2025

#screen time#TV#tablets#media policy#AAP guidelines
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