Potty training a two year old who attends nursery

Karma1387 · 2026-04-14T14:59:45+00:00

Just looking for some experiences with potty training when child attends nursery. We are planning on attempting potty training soon with our 2 year old. He attends nursery 3 days a week so I'm looking for experiences on how you go about it in nursery. Will he have to wear pull ups until hes 100% trained or will they accept accidents? I have emailed the head of the nursery to ask but thought I would see what others experiences are.

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CheeryOchreCat · 14/04/2026 16:16

Ours have been very accepting of the fact that DD hasn’t fully got the hang of it yet. They just say to send in lots of changes of clothes, especially trousers & socks!

We’re sending her in training pants rather than pull ups.

Original poster

Karma1387 · 14/04/2026 16:20

CheeryOchreCat · 14/04/2026 16:16

Ours have been very accepting of the fact that DD hasn’t fully got the hang of it yet. They just say to send in lots of changes of clothes, especially trousers & socks!

We’re sending her in training pants rather than pull ups.

Training pants is what I would like to use as I know pull ups arent suggested. Hopefully ours will be accepting and willing to work with us!

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Looneytune253 · 14/04/2026 16:26

Most childcare providers will have a policy about potty training, I assume the manager will
send it in response to your email but you also may find this on their website or in a pack they would have given you when you started. Some providers would expect parents to have a decent block of a try at home to see how they go. If your little one only attends 3 days a long weekend may be enough. Some places might insist on a full week at home (annual leave) so be prepared for that. They will absolutely expect some accidents and shouldn’t insist on pull ups. That’s absolutely innapropriate and I would challenge it if that’s what they say. If child hasn’t had a lot of success in your long weekend/week off maybe they’re not quite ready and try again later. Unless your child is over 3 and I’d say still go for it lol.

Original poster

Karma1387 · 14/04/2026 16:34

Looneytune253 · 14/04/2026 16:26

Most childcare providers will have a policy about potty training, I assume the manager will
send it in response to your email but you also may find this on their website or in a pack they would have given you when you started. Some providers would expect parents to have a decent block of a try at home to see how they go. If your little one only attends 3 days a long weekend may be enough. Some places might insist on a full week at home (annual leave) so be prepared for that. They will absolutely expect some accidents and shouldn’t insist on pull ups. That’s absolutely innapropriate and I would challenge it if that’s what they say. If child hasn’t had a lot of success in your long weekend/week off maybe they’re not quite ready and try again later. Unless your child is over 3 and I’d say still go for it lol.

Little one is only 2 so not a huge hurry just keen to do it before he gets too strong willed 🤣

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PeatandDieselfan · 14/04/2026 16:43

I think it varies a bit from nursery to nursery.

With mine, I did an intensive patch at home (also around age 2) then I brought lots of changes of clothes and some nappies, explained to the staff that he was in pants, but if it was a nuisance, I didn't mind if they put him back in a nappy. They were extremely supportive, kept him in pants, and reinforced everything I'd been doing. They were really pleased - less work for them.

Maraudingmarauders · 14/04/2026 17:46

We did a week at home over Xmas (2yr 3months) then sent in with lots of changes of clothes - don’t forget spare shoes if they’re outside/wear them inside as it goes down their trousers into their shoes! He had a few accidents the first couple of days despite being very good at home because he was too busy playing/staff weren’t quite as hot on him as they had other children of course to look after, but by day 3 with them he was barely having any accidents and they were super pleased with his progress. We still get the odd accident now where he forgets or is too far from the loo (or forgets to pull his trousers down!) but it’s been relatively easy for us and then. We requested no nappies unless napping once we’d started as didn’t want to confuse him

Original poster

Karma1387 · 14/04/2026 17:55

Maraudingmarauders · 14/04/2026 17:46

We did a week at home over Xmas (2yr 3months) then sent in with lots of changes of clothes - don’t forget spare shoes if they’re outside/wear them inside as it goes down their trousers into their shoes! He had a few accidents the first couple of days despite being very good at home because he was too busy playing/staff weren’t quite as hot on him as they had other children of course to look after, but by day 3 with them he was barely having any accidents and they were super pleased with his progress. We still get the odd accident now where he forgets or is too far from the loo (or forgets to pull his trousers down!) but it’s been relatively easy for us and then. We requested no nappies unless napping once we’d started as didn’t want to confuse him

I hadn't thought about spare shoes. I had best order him some more pairs 🙈

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hockityponktas · 14/04/2026 18:02

Karma1387 · 14/04/2026 17:55

I hadn't thought about spare shoes. I had best order him some more pairs 🙈

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If you can bear to put him in crocs (unless the nursery has policy against them!) they are great just while toilet training!
our nursery will support parents to train and we definitely advise against pull ups or going back in a nappy.
The only time we have insisted on going back is when a child has really not been ready (either physically or emotionally) which hasn’t always gone down well initially but once they saw the difference in how easy it was once their child was actually ready I think they realised!

Original poster

Karma1387 · 14/04/2026 18:05

hockityponktas · 14/04/2026 18:02

If you can bear to put him in crocs (unless the nursery has policy against them!) they are great just while toilet training!
our nursery will support parents to train and we definitely advise against pull ups or going back in a nappy.
The only time we have insisted on going back is when a child has really not been ready (either physically or emotionally) which hasn’t always gone down well initially but once they saw the difference in how easy it was once their child was actually ready I think they realised!

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Lots of people say my DS isnt ready but hes so angry and strong willed that I worry if we put it off until hes older he will just be stronger and more angry and strong willed. I don't want a 4 year old in nappies because he refuses to cooperate.

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hockityponktas · 14/04/2026 18:15

Karma1387 · 14/04/2026 18:05

Lots of people say my DS isnt ready but hes so angry and strong willed that I worry if we put it off until hes older he will just be stronger and more angry and strong willed. I don't want a 4 year old in nappies because he refuses to cooperate.

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The people saying he’s not ready, have they got experience of trying to potty train him personally? If not then I would just nod and smile😂
it’s worth a try, better to give it a try than miss the window of easy opportunity and leave it too late!