As exciting as starting school can be, it can also bring challenges and anxiety. Ensuring your little one is setting in well is important, and that includes making sure they feel confident with their toilet training and using school toilets. 

Most schools expect children to be toilet trained before they start, but ERIC, the children’s bowel and bladder charity, reported recently that one in four children that were due to start school in September 2024 were not toilet trained.  

 Being toilet trained means your child can: 

- focus more on learning. 

- integrate more easily with other children. 

- gain confidence in their ability to look after themselves. 

 

The advice below may help families with young children adjust to their little ones using the toilet at school. 

 

Practice independence at home 

Practice and talk through the process at home or elsewhere. Walk your child through the process – show them how to wipe themselves, flush the toilet, where to wash and dry their hands, how to pull their underwear up, put their new school uniform bottoms back on, and ask a teacher for help if needed.  

These may seem like small tasks, but they’re big steps towards building your child’s confidence. 

 

Discuss the school toilet routine 

Talk to your child about their new school routine. Help them build their confidence by asking the teacher when they need to go during class and encourage them to “try” at break times where possible. This can help prevent accidents and teach them to listen to their body. Reassure them that it's okay to ask the teacher at any time if they need to go urgently. 

  

Address potential concerns 

Your little one may have anxieties about using their new, unfamiliar toilets, particularly in a busy school environment – this is common. Talk to your child about any concerns they might have, such as getting locked in a stall, or embarrassment about asking to go to the toilet. 

Try to offer solutions to any concerns they have, practicing locking and unlocking doors, or role-playing how to ask the teacher to go to the toilet. Be careful about expressing your own anxiety – although it is normal to feel this way, it’s important to try and not let your child pick up on any of your own concerns. 

  

Create a more school-like routine 

Establish a toilet routine at home that loosely mirrors their school schedule. For example, you could encourage your child to use the bathroom after meals, or at specific intervals during the day. This will help them get used to the idea of going at set times, like how they do at school. 

  

Prepare for accidents 

Accidents are a normal part of the learning process, especially in a completely new and unfamiliar environment like school. Explain that it’s okay to have an accident and that they shouldn’t feel embarrassed. You could always pack a spare set of clothes in their bag and let them and their teacher know where they are kept. 

 

Communicate with teachers 

If you have specific concerns, ensure that you discuss them with your child’s teacher. They are experienced in helping children adjust to life at school, so any information you can give them to help them get to know your child a little better will allow them to help your little one settle in more easily.   

 

And if they haven’t started school yet, or start next year... 

Familiarise your child with school toilets 

One of the best ways to help your child adjust to using toilets at school is by familiarising them with the school toilet setup before they start. Some schools offer orientations where you and your child can explore the facilities together. If this is an option, take advantage of it! 

 

Transitioning to school is a big step, but with the right support and preparation, your child can handle it with confidence. Remember, every child adjusts and does things at their own pace, so be patient with them and offer plenty of encouragement along the way.  

If your child is not yet toilet trained, and you would like further guidance or information about how to support them, visit ERIC – The Children's Bowel and Bladder Charity. They have lots of advice and information on their website on potty training and children's bowel and bladder conditions. 

https://eric.org.uk/potty-training/toilets-and-school-readiness/