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Parenting

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Original poster

Bottom wiping at preschool

10 replies

Mala · 21/03/2006 10:54

My dd started at a preschool a few months ago. Prior to this she was at a daycare type nursery. I wasn't very happy with the place, so I decided to move her-however the one thing they did do was clean childrens bottoms.
At her present pre-school the children go unsupervised to the toilets and a couple of times she's come back with streaky(and once really quite mucky)pants. I've been told it's policy for pre-schools not to clean children's bottoms, as the teacher can't being doing it for all the children in her class.
My dd is almost 4 and I am getting her to practice everyday at home, however she is only young and I really think it's a bit much at this age. Do I say anything to the teacher or just leave it and hope she improves? At what age do they get completely adept at cleaning their bottoms?
It is a lovely preschool apart from this one issue and we are very happy with it.
Has this been a problem for other people's children? I was thinking of maybe asking if she can take wet-wipes in, but don't know if that would be allowed or even if my dd would use it(prob. not if they weren't conveniently to hand). She has had a urinary infection in the past, so I am concerned about this, just don't know whether to say anything of not.

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Angeliz · 21/03/2006 10:56

Personally i would leave her to practice on her own and eventually she'll get the hang of it.
Just make sure that you check her and wash her at home.

Angeliz · 21/03/2006 10:57

By that i mean i wouldn't complain.

Feistybird · 21/03/2006 10:57

My dds only went to a private nursery and they do clean bottoms. We were asked by the school (as all parents were) to try and ensure she was fully adept at wiping her bottom before she started and she was - but she was nearly 5 then.

I thi nk it's a bit much to ask of a 3 yo imo.

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MerlinsBeard · 21/03/2006 10:59

ds is neal;ry 3 and at his playschool they will wipe them, they have specified times to go to the toilet where they all go and wash hands b4 a snack and they also take them if they need to go inbetween times too.

Thats vert odd imo that they refuse to do it imo and i would question not only that, but why they let them go unsupervised in the first place

Kelly1978 · 21/03/2006 10:59

I'd mention it but be prepared that they will prob tell you that it is up to her to learn to do it, and put in lots of practice at home. My dd learned once she went to preschool at 3, it did take a little while, but she didn't get any infections.

MerlinsBeard · 21/03/2006 11:00

sorry, just re read ur post and realised that what i wrote wasn't appororiate. i hadn't read the age of ur dd

puddle · 21/03/2006 11:03

My dd is 3.5 and she goes unsupervised for wees at home and at nursery. I think it's quite common and good to encourage independence. She is not great at wiping herself yet though so I have told her to tell someone if she's going for a poo and have mentioned this to the staff - they have agreed to check her or the time being.

I think if your dd has had UTIs it is reasonable to raise this with the staff to be honest.

corblimeymadam · 21/03/2006 11:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Mala · 21/03/2006 11:10

I guess in a way it is my fault, as it is only recently that I have let her wipe her own bottom at home, even though she has been toilet trained for a while. Another thing is that I always tell her to roll up her sleeves before she wipes, which I'm sure she forgets. I do feel guilty as even though I knew what I was getting myself(or her) into regarding having to be more independent at this pr-school, I still think that it is alot to expect of three/four year olds(and some not yet 3 yr olds).
At the moment I'm thinking not say anything and just keeping practicing and hopefully she will get the hang of it soon. Don't know.....

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Moomin · 21/03/2006 11:16

i've got the same problems at the moment with dd at pre-school and with her childminder. she's 4. after worrying about it initally i've decided that it's not the end of the world. sometimes she does it better than others but it's important that she has a go herself and doesn't always rely on me or dh to wipe her bum for her. at home we encourage her to use the toilet wet wipes so that she doesn't get too sore a bum! i can see that it's not practical for the pre-school staff to be checking her so i'm just hoping it'll be ok eventually. i spose it's all part of learning to be independent

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