Early years insights

Why we keep our nurseries screen free

13 July 2026

Limiting screen time supports children’s language, development and school readiness.

We know that screens are part of everyday life for many families, and navigating that balance can feel challenging. That’s why at Ark Start we focus on providing a screen‑free nursery day that helps create a healthy balance overall.

New government guidance is clear about the importance of limiting screen time in the early years. It recommends avoiding it for children under two and keeping screen use to no more than one hour a day for children aged two to five. This comes at a time when 98% of two-year-olds are already watching screens every day.

Learning and play without screens

At Ark Start, our nurseries are screen free. That means there are no devices on site for children to access. Instead, we focus on rich play, communication and connection, giving children time and space to explore, talk and learn through real experiences.

As Molly Devlin, Director of Early Years at Ark Start, explained in a recent Channel 4 News feature:

“We encourage our staff and our children to go and learn and play together through speech and interaction. We know that that’s the most important thing for young children.”

Limiting screen time supports early development

This approach is grounded in how young children learn best. Around 90% of brain development happens before the age of five, shaped through warm, responsive interactions with adults. Everyday moments – sharing stories, playing together and having back‑and‑forth conversations – help children build language and learn how to relate to others, even before they can put those experiences into words.

Research has linked high levels of screen time to negative impacts on young children’s health and development, including language, social and emotional development, sleep, eyesight and healthy weight. These effects are most likely when screen use replaces everyday activities such as active play, interaction and rest.

At Ark Start, we believe these early foundations matter. By keeping our environments screen free, we help children build communication skills, confidence and strong foundations so they’re ready to thrive in school and beyond.