by Cynthia Stodolka

Created on: February 21, 2011   Last Updated: July 09, 2011

Deciding on a potty training agenda for a toddler, or young preschool age child, who spends time in day care, will be more successful if a plan is designed for your child, which will meet their specific needs.

The first step will be to inform your child’s day care or preschool that you are going to begin a potty training agenda. Discussing your plans with the daycare facilities director, teachers, aides or assistants, as well as any persons who are responsible for the daily care of your child is imperative for your child’s success. Your child will most likely be potty training with other children his or her age in the day care environment.

Taking the children all at one time by gender will enhance the chances for success of your child’s potty training agenda. Your child will learn by example, seeing what his or her peers are doing, and learning from the children who are more advanced. Your child will associate the urge to use the potty with the actual mechanics of how it’s done, following what the other children are doing, such as sitting on the potty.

Most children who are toilet training in the daycare environment are taken to the potty at specific times. They might be taken in the morning, before lunch, after nap and other scheduled times to help them along. Most children who are training wear a disposable elastic waist training pant.  These are easy to pull up and down and can be thrown away when soiled. They can be purchased at any supermarkets or discount store, and come in styles designed for a boy or a girl.

Clothing your child wears to day care during the potty training time should be free from zippers and buttons. Elastic waist pants and shorts are the easiest for little hands to manage. Little girls can wear skirts or dresses to help them along. Pants that have elastic waists are quick and easy to take down, and can help prevent accidents.

Care givers can reward children when they have a successful visit to the potty with praise, or by letting them wash their hands with a special animal shaped bar of soap, or ringing a bell. If the child has an accident, the child should not be scolded or humiliated, they should be given reassurance and encouragement that they will do better next time. When the child who is being potty trained, is picked up at the end of the day, the daycare provider should inform the parent how the child did and any problems can be discussed.

With the right techniques and encouragement both at home, and at daycare, your child can be potty trained successfully.

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