Potty Training at Childcare

My very first teaching experience was a classroom full of young toddlers 13 – 18 months old. I liked to call them “Waddlers”. I had hundreds and hundreds of classroom potty training toilet time encounters. I quickly learned to “breath and roll my shoulders”. Over the years I repeated that very phrase to many of my co-workers and employees. Though I did add to the phrase “then call me into your classroom so you can take a break”. Unlike at home, when you can squeeze in a few minutes of down time from your child’s potty training adventure, in the classroom it is ever present. Typically, a Waddler group consists of 10 – 14 children all grouped together and likely two teachers overseeing. I was very thankful that my first classroom involvement was with toddlers. It cultivated important teaching traits such as, patience and creative ways to engage in repetitive actions. I say all this, so that you can season your potty training classroom expectations with a bit of grace, compromise, and lots of thanks to your child’s teachers.

If your child is attending a licensed childcare facility the expectations for potty training will likely be outlined in the Center’s policy. Knowing the Center’s policy can be a great way to approach your child’s caregiver and/or teacher to start the conversation of potty-toilet training.

A few things to ask:

What verbiage will be used?
- Can you request your home verbiage choice?
What is the schedule?
- All students are on the same schedule?
- Is there flexibility for an individual schedule or requests?
What is acceptable?
- Pull-ups vs. underwear vs. diapers.
Potty props ok?
- Such as a potty chair, stool, incentives.

Practical clothing:

The key for clothing choices should be a QUICK change!

NO, overalls, belts, buttons, snaps, body suites.
YES, to elastic waist for pants or tights that can quickly be moved up and down.
Provide plenty of extra clothing.

Communication:

This is an essential key for successful potty training in the classroom along with the continuation at home. Always request feedback on the successful toilet deposits and the unsuccessful. If you are using an incentive program at home, such as Potty Time ADVENTures, you will want to follow through with the incentive rewards your child achieved while at school.

Praise and incentives what a great potty time team!

Wishing you many successful deposits,

-Mindy