Starting Nursery -- before or after potty training?

[eversomuch]

We're thinking about starting our 2yo at nursery soon. She's 26mo now and I was originally thinking of starting her in September and tackling potty training this summer, before she started.

I'm now considering starting her sooner. She's extremely shy and DH and I wonder if it might be better to get her socializing with other kids sooner rather than later. This would mean potty training while she's at nursery.

I'm curious about what others' experience has been having nursery staff help with potty training. How does it work? Would it be better for me to do it myself and then put her in nursery, or might seeing other kids using the potty actually motivate her to try it herself?

Arguments for or against?

In my experience so far with ds (2.9), deciding you are going to potty train at a certain time, doesn't necessarily mean it'll happen. I've tried twice with ds & its not happening!!! He already goes to nursery & they have recently started encouraging use of the potty. I do think there is an element of peer pressure - he is more willing to sit on potty at nursery because his friends are doing it. He starts pre-school soon & I'm hoping that seeing most of the other kids use the loo might encourage him to want to do it too.

What I'm trying to say is you can't really pre-plan when it'll happen as it'll only happen when she is ready. That may be before summer, during or after. If you want her to start nursery I wouldn't delay it just for that, if she is reluctant to train she could be a long time before she starts.

Oh & the nursery staff should work with you to make sure you are both using a consistent approach. Hth.x

DS has been at nursery since he was nine months. Our nursery has been brilliant in just following what we do at home.

I agree that potty training has to be when DC are ready, not when you decide you want to do it. DS showed a real interest in the toilet and watching his slightly older cousin use the toilet before we even attempted it.