We Work With You, Not Against the Clock

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to toilet training and no set timeline for when a child will be ready. That said, we do aim to support every child in becoming fully toilet trained before they move on to their chosen primary school.

Some parents come to us and say, “We’ve started trying at home, can we do the same here?” Others haven’t started yet, but we might spot the signs that their little one is nearly ready.

No matter who starts the conversation, you or us, we treat it as a shared plan. We’ll talk through what’s been working, what hasn’t, and what we can try together.

Our goal is always the same: to build your child’s confidence at their own pace, in a calm and positive environment.

In Our Toddler Room

This is often where it all begins. When toddlers start staying dry for longer, showing interest in their friends’ toilet habits, or telling us when they’re wet or dirty, that’s our cue to gently introduce the idea of using the potty.

Here’s how we support them:

• Keep potties visible and accessible
• Build toilet time into their daily routine
• Celebrate effort, not just success
• Encourage, never pressure
• Communicate with parents every step of the way

And of course, we share everything with you,  from “He had a little sit on the potty today!” to “Oops, an accident, but we’re proud of the try!”

In Our Preschool Room

By the time children move into Preschool, many are starting to become more independent. Our focus here is on building confidence and supporting those final steps.

We:

• Help children pull trousers up and down independently
• Promote handwashing after every visit
• Encourage them to listen to their body’s signals
• Stay calm and positive, because accidents still happen!

How You Can Help at Home

Toilet training works best when your child feels supported both at nursery and at home. Here are a few tips to help things along:

• Keep it consistent: If we’re trying it here, try it at home too
• Choose easy-on clothing: Elastic waistbands make things easier
• Celebrate the little wins: Every step counts
• Build toilet time into routines: Like after meals or before going out
• Reassure, don’t rush: Progress looks different for every child

Using Holidays & Bank Holidays to Get Started

We also encourage families to make use of holidays or long weekends to introduce toilet training. A few quiet days at home, with no big outings or distractions, can make a real difference. It gives your child a chance to focus on toilet times without the busy stimulation of nursery.

Term-time-only children often find this especially helpful. We see more success when children have had a bit of practice at home before trying it in our learning-packed nursery day.

When They Begin Toilet Training at Nursery

Once they start training with us, our staff gently guide them through the process. We often take them to the toilet every 30–60 minutes at first, even if they’re not showing signs, this helps reduce accidents and creates a habit.

We also ask that parents send in plenty of spare pants and trousers. It’s completely normal for children to need a few changes while they’re learning – and that’s absolutely okay!

What About Poo on the Potty?

This can feel like a big step and it’s not unusual for children to feel unsure or avoid doing a poo on the potty or toilet.

Some of our favourite tips for this include:

• Distractions: Sitting with a book while they wait can help
• Bubbles or party blowers: These help children engage their stomach muscles naturally, which can relax their bodies enough to go

This can take time, and that’s perfectly normal. We’re here to support, encourage and make the experience as relaxed as possible.

Let’s Chat About It

If you’re unsure whether your child is ready, or you’d like to create a toilet training plan together, just speak to your child’s Key Person. We’re always happy to chat and work together in a way that feels right for your child and your family.

You can also find great guidance from the NHS here: How to potty train – NHS