Tips for Potty/Toilet Training

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Hi Everyone,

I am doing an advice sheet for parents on potty training and would love to dip into the pool of vast experience and knowledge amongst the professionals for some hints and tips, especially from a childminders point of view. I definately need some pointers on the following:

• How do you know when a child is ready to train?
• What do parents expect from childminders?
• Are there anywebsites or books you would recommend?
• What are everyones thoughts on pull ups?

Any stories or anecdotes on what has gone really well or really wrong (with children or parents) would be great.

TIA

oooh right

let me think

Is a child ready - this is a hard one; the child indicating that they are aware they are weeing or pooing by body language or speech, the evolving of dry nappies at change time, being interested in the potty, or others using the loo?

Parents would expect the CM to follow their wishes as far as practicable ie being vigilant in ensuring regular trips to potty/loo, staying close to home for the initial period to cut down on denting child's confidence by expecting success out and about, using the same kind of rewards for sitting (I am always reluctant to reward actual wees/poos, I prefer to reward the effort IYSWIM) NB I reward by whooping, clapping, praising, etc, not keen on choc buttons. be prepared for the Cm to say nah, child not ready, try again in 3 months

This cuts both ways of course as the CM would expect the parents to be understanding about the volume of wet/soiled clothing going home and for outings to be curtailed a bit for the initial period

eric is a marv website

Pull ups - up to the parent. I have wooden and ceramic floors, easy to swab, I don't mind puddles. If I had carpet I might well lean towards pull ups

Stories - none really, they do all get there in the end. Ages - I've had a just 2 yr old boy dry, and a nearly 4 yr old girl nowhere near plus all ranges in between. All children are different and stereotypes (girls are early, boys are lazy etc etc) to be avoided

Sorry for ramble

make sure parents have started to train over a holiday period or over a long weekend if possible, i wont start from scratch with any child as have carpets and its my home.. obviously accept the usual accidents but expect parents to estsblish and me to carry on ont the other way round.

and dont start too early or when mil says or sil kids do!! each to own

yes, good point - basically reinforcing the communication aspect

so, no, don't rock up on Monday morning producing your child in pants without discussing it with the CM first of all; plans may have to be adapted/abandoned