Potty Training Success

Collaborating with Child Care to Help Your Child Gain Toileting Success

Did you know?

While policies may differ between programs, there are no licensing regulations preventing children from attending care or moving classrooms due to their toileting status.

Learning to use the toilet is an important milestone in your child’s development. For many families, it can also be challenging. For children who share time between home and child care, how do you manage toilet training in different settings with different people?

Potty training can be positive and successful when parents, teachers and caregivers work as a team. Child care providers can help children with this process by being encouraging, knowing the signs of toilet learning readiness and keeping toileting routines as consistent as possible.

Starting the Toileting Journey

When and how to help your child learn to use the potty depends on how ready your child is, as well as your own beliefs and values about toilet training. There is no “right” way or “right” age to learn. Children typically show signs of readiness between the ages of 2 and 4, with most using the toilet independently by kindergarten. When you start seeing the following signs at home, schedule a time to talk to your child care program about toileting.

Readiness Signs for All Children:

• Notices when diaper or clothing is wet or soiled.
• Shows interest in self-care (e.g., dressing, handwashing, toileting).
• Shows interest in other’s toileting behavior.
• Stays dry about two hours at a time.
• Has bowel movements that follow a regular and predictable pattern.
• Has the balance to sit on the toilet for 2-5 minutes.
• Follows a few simple directions (e.g., sit down).
• Indicates a need to go to the bathroom through facial expressions, postures, gestures, pictures or words.

Supporting Toileting Between Home and Care

If you think it is time to begin potty training, develop a plan alongside your child’s caregivers. Talk about when to begin, how everyone can help and ways to handle accidents while your child is learning. Agree on the words you will teach your child to tell you when he or she needs to use the toilet. The following are ways to make the learning process as smooth as possible:

Talk with your child care program about their routine. Does the program have a potty policy? What is the daily potty schedule? Do all the children go together at set times or do they follow each child’s individual needs? Do potty training children wear underwear during the day, or do they stay in a diaper? Ask yourself if the program’s policies align with your plans and goals at home. As you proactively look for care for a toddler, these are considerations for child care long before you transition to underwear.

Be prepared with the right materials. Bring in at least three or four changes of underwear and clothing, including at least one extra pair of shoes, in case of accidents. Dress your child in easy-to-manage clothing, like elastic waistband pants. Ask how potty training is handled at naptime and if diapers will be needed (the answer is likely yes!).

Pay attention to cues that your child needs to go. Children just learning to use the toilet may not know to tell you they need to go. Some will use the words they have learned, but you may have to rely on behavioral cues. Watch for signs like wiggling, crossing their legs, pulling your hand or tugging at their diaper. As soon as you notice these behaviors, take your child to the bathroom. Share these signals with your child’s caregivers so everyone is looking for the same cues.

Communicate often. When a child is potty training both at home and at child care, communication between caregivers is key. Successful potty training happens when parents and caregivers work as a team. Let caregivers know how things went overnight or over the weekend. Explain any new signs you have noticed your child giving when they need to use the restroom. Alert the teachers of any concerns you have.

Prepare for accidents. Accidents are a normal part of the process and should be handled as such. Never punish for accidents. Punishments may delay the process. You might say something like, “You forgot this time. Next time you will go to the bathroom. No worries,” and clean it up right away.