Toilet training
How to support babies and young children with toilet training in your early years setting.
This article was written by the Department for Education (DfE) in consultation with senior health professionals in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID).
Using the toilet is a new skill that children need to learn. You can play an important role in supporting children and their parents or carers with toilet training.
When to start toilet training
Most children are ready to start toilet training from around 18 months, but the process of introducing children to sitting on a potty can start from as young as 6 months.
Children should stop using nappies between 18 and 30 months. Research shows this is best for children’s bowel and bladder health.
Some children will learn to use the toilet quickly, while others will need more time and support. Waiting to start toilet training until after 30 months can make it harder for them to learn this new skill. Most children should be out of nappies before starting Reception year in school. The only exception should be children with a diagnosed medical need, such as a bowel or bladder condition.
Skills children need to use the toilet independently
For children to be able to go to the toilet completely on their own, there are a few skills that they will need your help to master.
Children will need to be able to:
- pull their underwear down and up
- pull their trousers/skirt/dress up and down
- sit on the toilet
- wipe themselves
- flush the toilet
- wash their hands
Working in partnership
It is vital that you work closely with parents, carers and specialists to give children consistent messages about toilet training.
You should help parents and carers understand the importance of toilet training in the early years. This will help children in your care get ready for the transition to school. You can share the Potty Training Guide with parents and carers.
Where a child is struggling with toilet training, it would be helpful to encourage parents and carers to talk to their GP or health visitor.
You could also discuss concerns with your:
- supervisors, managers, or senior leaders
- local authority
- Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo)
When getting external support, make sure to engage parents and carers in the process at all stages. This includes involving them in:
- sharing their thoughts
- assessing their child’s needs
- planning next steps
- reviewing their child’s progress
Toilet training challenges
It is not uncommon for children who are toilet trained and reliably clean and dry at home to start having accidents when they begin at an early years setting.
To support children in your care you can review the information ERIC has on potential solutions for toilet training problems.
Support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Almost all children can learn to be clean and dry, including children with SEND. Some children may find toilet training more difficult. These children need extra time and effort with toilet training. You don’t need to wait to start toilet training children with SEND. The older children are, the harder it can be for them to learn the new routine and feel confident without nappies.
To support children in your care you can read the following advice and share it with parents:
- ERIC: toilet training children with additional needs
- Dingley’s Promise: supporting with toileting – a family guide
- Down Syndrome UK: toilet training
- CBeebies Parenting: potty training children with additional needs