Toilet training can be a daunting process for parents, but if a child is developmentally ready it should be a relatively easy process.

If, on entry to Explore & Discover Toddler group, your child is not yet toilet trained; please understand that we do not have the staff resources or time to start a toilet-training schedule with your child. Instead, we will do our best to support you and your child to ensure that this important transition in their life is as smooth and as positive as possible. Toilet training will need to be done at home for at least a two-week period before it is introduced at school.

​

When your feel your child is ready for this phase, we would suggest the following:

• Discuss your child’s readiness for toilet training with your child’s directress and agree on the way forward.

• Please do not send your child with ‘pull-up’ nappies. These nappies give your child a false sense of security, and they require all clothes to be removed (including shoes) when a nappy needs to be changed.

• Please do not revert to nappies after school and over the weekends or holidays, as this confuses the child and makes it more difficult for them to understand the process.

• Provide your child with proper underwear.

​​

​Requirements for toddlers who are toilet training:

• Please pack at least 4 changes of clothes. For example, 4 pants or skirts, 4 shirts, 4 pairs of socks. An extra pair of shoes is also good to have at hand, just in case they get their shoes wet as well. Please label each piece of our child’s belongings clearly.

• The Montessori Method encourages the development of independence, so clothing should be easy for the child to put on and take off.

• Dress your child in clothing that is easy to put on and take off. ( i.e. pants and skirts with elastic waistbands instead of belts, buttons, dungarees and jeans).

• Dungarees, once-piece outfits, tights or lace-up shoes are not recommended for toddlers.

• Your child needs to arrive at school with their underwear on.

• Your child needs to go to the bathroom as soon as she/he wakes up in the morning, as this is a great time to have a successful experience. If you child does not want to go at home, we ask that they visit the bathroom with you as soon as you arrive at school.

• Be consistent! Once you start toilet training your child, don’t stop for even one day. It’s confusing for your child and sends them mixed messages.

• If there are more accidents than not, we recommend that all training stops for 2 weeks with no mention of going to the toilet. Then start over again.

• Lots of verbal praise will go a long way to encourage the child to use the toilet.

• Allow your child to choose their own underwear when purchasing it. This is a great incentive for them to wear it and they usually don’t like to get it dirty.

• Be encouraged! Even if it takes a while for your child to learn, be patient. This is a big step for them, and together we will make it through.

​

Watering the Garden

When boys are toilet training, especially when they get older, parents should resist the temptation to allow them to urinate anywhere but in the toilet. It quickly becomes a habit to pull their trousers down and ‘water the garden’. It is also a health hazard and it is unpleasant for the rest of the school when the outside areas or favourite tree becomes a urinal.