Why are so many four-year-olds not potty-trained before school?
Summary
Many four-year-old children starting school in the West Midlands are not fully toilet-trained, which is causing concerns about school readiness. A charity called Kindred Squared is offering support and resources to help parents and schools with potty training, while experts say that readiness for school includes many skills beyond toileting.Key Facts
- Almost one-third of children starting school in the West Midlands last year were not fully toilet-trained.
- 42% of children arriving in reception were considered not ready for school by primary school staff.
- Kindred Squared is launching a potty-training scheme in Solihull aimed at helping children and parents.
- A pilot program in York included guides, workshops, and support through local health and community services, which cut non-toilet-trained children starting school by nearly half.
- Experts emphasize that school readiness involves other skills, such as talking, playing, and managing personal care like hanging up coats.
- Children develop skills at different paces, and it’s important not to pressure families or label children as failures.
- Some children may have medical or emotional issues, like withholding stools or trauma, affecting their toilet training.
- Parents may find potty training difficult despite their best efforts, and early support may not always be easy to access.
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