Starting nursery or school is a huge milestone – and one of the most common worries for parents is whether their child will be fully toilet trained in time. You're not alone: a recent report by  Kindred  found that around one in four children arrive in Reception still in nappies, leaving staff to spend valuable classroom time on toileting rather than teaching! 

While it’s reassuring to know many families face the same challenge, it also highlights the importance of early support and planning. With a little preparation and plenty of patience, you can help your child feel confident and independent when the big day comes.

Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to make the process easier:

While many parents now wait for clear signs of readiness for potty training, some children, especially those with additional needs, may never show obvious signs. This is why the  Institute of Health Visiting  (IHV) encourages early “potty learning”, such as taking your child to the bathroom when you change their nappy, helping them understand that this is where we wee and poo, and offering short sits on the potty once they can sit up on their own – no pressure or expectations, just familiarity.

Before building toilet routines, make sure your child’s bowels are comfortable and regular. Constipation is one of the most common, and most overlooked, reasons for both daytime accidents and resistance to training. Hard or infrequent stools can press on the bladder and trigger wet episodes even when a child seems otherwise ready. 

Make sure your child is getting plenty of fibre-rich foods like fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains, alongside lots of water and regular physical activity. If stools remain hard or accidents persist, don’t hesitate to speak to your GP or health visitor. Tackling constipation early helps avoid frustration later. 

If your child prefers using a potty over the toilet, it’s a good idea to support the transition to the toilet before they start school. Begin by placing the potty in the bathroom so they become familiar with going to the toilet in that setting. Then, once they’re comfortable, introduce a child-friendly toilet seat insert and a step stool. 

The Potette® Plus 2-in-1 is a great option for this. It's a potty that fold's flat to double as a toilet trainer seat. So, if your little one is already familiar with using the Potette as a potty, continuing with it in this new way can offer consistency and reassurance during the transition. 

It’s also important that your child’s feet are flat on the step when using the toilet to help their body relax and encourage a full bowel movement. Most schools and nurseries have child-sized toilets that allow little ones to place their feet on the floor. If your child dislikes the splash of water in the bowl, show them how placing a square of toilet paper on the surface can stop this. It’s a simple trick they can use at nursery too. 

Have a conversation with your child about what to expect when they need to use the toilet at school or nursery. It can be helpful to show them images of small toilets, cubicles and handwashing areas to make the environment feel more familiar. If possible, ask the school if they can provide a photo of their toilet facilities in advance, although this may not always be available. It can be a useful tool to ease uncertainty.

Also let them know when and how they can ask to go to the toilet, and who they should speak to. For children who may not yet communicate verbally, it’s important to introduce a method that suits their individual needs, such as Makaton, Baby Sign or flash cards. Potette Potty Training Flash Cards can be a great way to support this process. Just make sure that school or nursery staff are aware of how your child communicates, so they know how to respond and offer the right support. 

Even children who are confidently toilet trained often still need support with certain steps, like wiping their bottom or managing their clothing. Show them how to wipe properly, encouraging them to keep going until the toilet paper is clean – wiping takes time to master!

Clothing is another area to work on. Pulling trousers and underwear up and down requires coordination and patience, so give your child the time and space to practice doing this on their own. Fastenings like buttons and zips can be fiddly for young children, so elasticated waistbands are often a more manageable option. It can be helpful to let your child wear their school uniform at home for a few days as this gives them a chance to get used to how it feels and practice dressing themselves confidently before the first day of term.

Also remember to go over the final steps of the toileting routine, such as washing and drying hands. If their school uses paper towels, consider getting some to use at home so they can get familiar with the process. Practicing in different bathrooms outside the home is another great way to prepare them for what they might face at school, e.g. loud flushes and automatic taps or hand dryers. The more familiar these experiences become, the easier and more comfortable your child will feel when managing their needs independently at school. 

Most schools and nurseries are understanding and will work closely with you to support your child in a way that meets their individual needs. Taking the time to communicate openly with staff can make a big difference. By working together, you can create a personalised plan that ensures your child gets the right support and feels confident as they adjust to this new routine. A collaborative approach often makes the transition smoother for both children and parents.

ERIC, The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity, is dedicated to helping children become toilet trained and ready for school by offering practical support through their website, email journey and helpline.

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