Three year olds unsupervised in toilets

[Yummymummy2020]

Just wondering, three year old (older end of three) is being left unsupervised in toilets at nursery. Had a few incidents of playing with water and getting soaked(other kids also the same in a group with no adult present) and also drinking from the toilet tap(as told by child) only found out today about the supposedly not supervised so will question on Monday but just not sure if this is the norm for this age or irresponsible? Also little girl in with little boys unsupervised and she said they told her to splash the water ect so feel a bit uneasy about the lack of supervision as obviously anything could go on. Going to work on her for not doing what others say as it’s an important lesson but also this is my first in nursery so not sure if I’m expecting too much by way of supervision! Thank you in advance for your opinions!

The tap water thing isn't great if it really isn't suitable for drinking.

I think taking themselves off to the toilet unsupervised is fine though. My daughter's nursery is the same, theres little toilets just off the main room so they can go whenever they need. It's same one for boys and girls but with individual cubicles anyway.

The notice said that it was a boil water notice- any water to be consumed must be boiled and cooled due to bacteria found in testing🤷🏼‍♀️

That would bother me far more than supervision. They need a plan to sort that.

If this is in the uk, then the nursery should be closed until the issue is fixed.

A nursery without drinkable water is much more of a concern, I imagine the kids are drinking from the toilet taps because they are thirsty and the staff can't boil and cool enough drinking water. Are you in the UK? If so I'm pretty sure it would not be legal for this nursery to remain open, or to give the kids contaminated water, even if boild (it would need to be tested and proved safe).

The unsupervised in toilet thing is absolutely fine. If they're nearly 4 now, they'll be starting reception in September, so it's good for them to develop a bit of independence. The staff will be aware of which children have gone, and will go investigate if they don't return in the normal time frame. Doors will also be locked, so the children won't be able to go further then the corridor/toilet.

The only fresh water in most UK homes is from the "rising main" usually the cold tap in the kitchen.
All other taps deliver water from a tank in the loft, which is fed from the mains but not guaranteed potable when it is drawn off.

In most UK homes in the UK 1960's maybe. It's a pretty unusual set up these days

If you are in UK and your child is going to be starting in Primary school in Srptember, then, now is exactly when your child needs to learn to be independent in toileting matters. The water situation is far more serious than the emphasis you are putting on kids messing about.

Yes, once DD went into preschool which is the final
Year of nursery, they go unsupervised. However she is in forest school so the loo is an outdoor loo.
I think a teacher is nearby because they have to do the final 'flushing' bit.
I'm not thrilled about the loo itself, going unsupervised doesn't bother me so much but I think the whole loo experience is a bit unpleasant for her. But she is old enough to use the loo by herself and given she is at forest school, getting wet from splashing isn't that big a concern for me. They don't leave them to get cold, if they do get wet they change her but she also wears a lot of layers.

'Also little girl in with little boys unsupervised and she said they told her to splash the water ect so feel a bit uneasy about the lack of supervision as obviously anything could go on. '

What exactly are you implying might 'go on' with girls and boys in the toilet in this sentence? Or am I misreading it?

I left most of my kids during about 3 and a half so they got used to it. But ofc kids develop differently so if you don’t think your child should be left alone maybe just say x

DS3 is never alone in the toilet (just off main room at nursery) because he and his best friend always go together like 19 year old girls in a club bathroom. I swear they time poops so they can chat together!

But no, staff only check periodically or if a kid is newly potty trained.

I think the point is they're meant to go by themselves, my 2.5yo can, at home he will even empty his potty in the toilet then pull up his stool to wash his hands

Chn in our primary mixed nursery and reception class go alone to the toilet but have to ask. We can’t supervise as staff ratio not enough (2 adults in a class of 15) but toilet is open to class and can hear any mischief. There are always some mischief makers that will splash or mess about but we know who to check on.

I work with this age group and independent toileting is one of our main self care goals. It's important for their self esteem and prepares them for school, but it can take time. Then the practical side of it, we have 10:1 ratio, 2 staff to 20 children so if one staff is in the toilet then that leaves 19:1 for those times. Our toilets are visible through a glass window and if one of us is in we can still call out. Likewise if kids are messing we can stick our head in and tell them to stop. Currently we have only 1 child who still needs help but started the year with 8 or 9 My colleagues in another room cannot see the toilet so children have to be trusted to go alone, 1 at a time as they will start messing otherwise.

But it’s common not to be able to drink water from bathroom taps. I can’t in my house. The only source of drinking water is the mains water to the kitchen sink. The bathroom water comes from the storage tank in the loft.

To add to the above, we know the kids. There are two who sneak in for a chat so we need to see that they don't take too long, another who likes to pull all the toilet paper and fill the toilet and cause a blockage so we are very closely supervising her. Many forget to flush. We pop in and out checking all is OK (low doors so we can see) but avoid actually entering the cubicle

Unless your house is a nursery, or other commercial property, that’s not relevant. There are different standards at play.

Additionally they have been sent a letter saying that water has to be boiled for drinking, which implies it is both a recent problem, and that it applies to the drinking water supply.

Most people don't have a water tank these days. We had one when I was a kid but never as an adult.

That was standard in school nursery, toilets were within nursery room and only shared with p1 class next door (Scotland equivalent to reception). I've never heard of water in a public building carrying bugs. Normally it's just places not connected to the mains trains, portaloos type places where water is stored for a while before use

Is there drinking water available at this nursery?