Toileting in nursery

[Mumtoprem]

Hi,

Our daughter is now in the 3-5 year old room and wondered whether it was normal for other nurseries not to supervise toileting at this age and to allow small groups of children into the toilet together. Also what would your reaction be to your child coming home with a dirty bum as they hadn't wiped it properly and no one supervising?

Is this a private nursery?

ratios for this age group are 1 adult for every 8 children, so 24 children have 3 adults looking after them. Unless there is a teacher or a Early Years Professional in the room when the ratio changes to 1 adult for every 13 children. So 26 children could have only 2 adults looking after them. There are not enough staff to take the children to the toilet and wipe their bottoms, although the nursery will probably tell you that children need to 'develop independence'.
If you are not happy, then take it up with the management, in writing preferably, as they have to keep written records of complaint to show to Ofsted. If they fob you, then you can always complain to Ofsted.

The children of this age in the setting I work in are allowed to go to the toilet on their own but we do keep an eye on them and if it is a child we know we will go and help them. They are also encouraged to let us know if they need help.

Yes it's a private nursery. I understand children need to develop independence before starting school. However, our daughter has speech and language delay (about a year behind) and is on Early Years Action Plus. I am not feeling really impressed and did tell the Manager who didn't really reply to my point at all.

At a private nursery I would expect more supervision

If they are aware of her additional needs and the manager hasn't responded well then perhaps you need to take things further or find a new nursery?

I would expect 3-4 year olds to use the toilet independently, in state or private nurseries. If your child needs particular assistance the staff should be made aware and she should get it.

I work with 2-3 year olds and most of the children use the toilet independently.