Potty training and the childminder

[Cupofteaplease]

Dd1 self potty trained at 20 months and within a week was dry night and day. I didn't have to do anything, just provide the potty and lots of praise! She just hated wearing a nappy and would pull it off all the time, so we bought a potty and hey presto, dry baby.

Now, I realise we were very lucky, and was expecting a huge struggle with dd2. However, she is 18 months and already asking to use the potty when she wants the toilet. I think watching her sister use the toilet and vocalising about her wees and poos has spurred dd2 on.

I mentioned to the childminder what has been happening at home, and she was quite abrupt wit me. Her dd1 potty trained at 3 and her dd2 is 2.5 and they haven't yet put the potty out for her to experiment with or get used to yet. She gave me a 'talking to' about how toddlers who trian early end up wetting the bed in the long run.

I felt she was being critical about my choices, when in fact I've only ever followed the dc's natural progress, if that makes sense. I'm quite happy to continue allowing dd2 to use the potty at home, but should I ask the Childminder to have one at her house, even though she clearly disapproves? Perhaps when her dd is 3 she will start potty training, but that's another 6 months and if dd2 is choosing the potty at home now, should she wait another 6 months at her house?

Or should I ease off and let her decide- she's the childcare expert after all?

Advice please!!

No!!! Don't think she's a "Childcare Expert", at the risk of being "slated" by CM's. She is obviously experienced in Childcare,but IMO if she was an "Expert" she would realise all children are different,and develop at different rates.

She should take your lead,and follow your wishes again IMO. Thats what Nurseries do,they will start potty training or weaning,or just follow your wishes when you start it.

I am doing this with my DD2,she has been telling me she is "weeeing or pooing" for a few months now,and have decided to follow her lead.My CM is happy to continue with it.

At the end of the day,she is "employed" by you,and if you wanted your child to be Vegetarian,you wouldn't expect your CM to feed her meat would you? She should follow your wishes.

when ds1 did the same thing- self trained at about25 months, i thought cm would not like it but after first week when he wet through all 5 changes of clothes, he realised that he could use the potty there too and was fine. Same stage now with dd2 who is 16 months and is dry /clean with me but obviously wasn't telling cm. i think you just need to say to her to give it a go, send them with 6 changes of clothes so cm is not worried about running out, give it a couple of weeks and i'm sure it will be fine. She needs to go with what you want even if it means a bit more work for a short time.

I am a CM and i am not "employed" by parents. I provide a service for a fee.

I have a training policy which means that toilet training starts at home with the parents anyway so the age would be irrelevant tbh.

I usually ask parents to wait until the next long weekend/annual leave and i will carry on the training when the child returns.