Is it acceptable to use screen time as a child minder?

I only let my kids watch CBeebies, until they were old enough to search by typing. The ads blaring on other channels, and the programmes, put me right off. But using it to enable you to work should only be in an emergency - my work contracts have always said that WFH requires children under 11 to be cared for by someone else during school hours and all the time if under 5 (basically some work while kids are there after school is OK, but not for a whole day) Used to be, mums or nannies etc would chuck the toddler in a playpen or shut them in a room while they got on with some work. Before that, tie them to furniture or shove them in a hedge. Or they'd be slapped to ensure they shut it, or dumped on Granny who might do any of the above. The idea of a parent having time to care lovingly 100% of the time has never been reality for most people.