Access to toilet at nursery/preschool

[Notlostjustexploring]

What is the norm/best practice for access to a toilet for a preschool?

The nursery/Preschool my son goes to changed hands some months ago, and as such lots of changes were made. One of them seems to be that instead of the kids having free access to the toilets, they are now taken there/have to ask.

My son is 4, and he's been having occasional accidents since he began potty training as kids do. The staff are all really relaxed about it, "He's just distracted, he'll get there in his own time", etc. As hes got older, we've asked for suggestions and do being it up often about what they are doing to help/encourage him to have fewer accidents. I can't quite get out of him any information regarding his accidents, and I'm desperately trying to not make a big thing of it with him.
He has absolutely no accidents at home, and is 95% dry at night, and we've just been on holiday for 3 weeks with him and 100% dry, so it feels very much like a Preschool issue. I think it is partially/mainly caused by the fact he doesn't have free access to the toilet any more. He also doesn't seem to want to ask to go to the toilet, but he does ask some staff, so I don't know if that's a thing there too.

I'm trying to work out if it is worth kicking up more of a fuss when he's only got a few weeks left.

I'm also trying to work out how detrimental their removal of free access to the toilet for preschoolers actually is, as surely it's better for kids to learn when they need to go, than being taken every 20 minutes?

I will also add that the nursery has gone seriously downhill since the change of ownership, which may be adding to my frustration.

Hmm. I'd ask them about the reasoning. We had a period where DC was going by themselves and doing a poo before they were able to wipe properly, resulting in sore skin. There may also be kids whose parents need to know that they're going - those with chronic constipation etc.

As long as they can go when they ask I don't think it would bother me, but it sounds like it's a part of a bigger picture and you have a gut feeling. I wouldn't be getting overly worked up if it's only a few weeks though!

The children who are able to use the toilet or who are toilet training have free access to the toilets. They are in the main rooms so children can call if they need extra help. We usually have a staff member inside to help even if children come in from playing in the garden.

For most nurseries I know, children who are able to, are free to use the toilet whenever. The others who need support just ask and someone take them straight away.

In a way it may be preparing them for school in which they’d need to ask their teacher before going. It may help them to be able to control themselves better and learn to ask before they are desperate to go.

You could speak to the nursery and ask what’s brought about the changes.

Thanks for the advice. My understanding is that the changes are as a result of all the rooms now keeping their doors shut, and the kids can't open the doors.

I think I will wait it out, as its only a fortnight left, I think it was just the icing on the cake of many other annoyances over the past months.

If there's only 2 weeks left, it's probably not worth the argument. Our preschool the toilets are freely accessible within the room.