toileting + diapering

DIAPERING

Regular and frequent diaper changing is part of the everyday routine at First Circle. To keep children comfortable and make hygiene a priority, we strictly follow the requirements and guidelines for safety and sanitation from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Department of Public Health (DPH). Specifically:

diapers are changed or checked every two hours or immediately after a child has had a bowel movement
teachers record in the child’s electronic record the time of each diapering, whether the child was wet or had a bowel movement, as well as any additional information
each classroom or program has its own changing table, which is sanitized after each use, and children’s and teachers’ hands are washed

Diapering is an important opportunity for one-on-one interaction and for modeling language, learning about self-care and personal hygiene, and building trust between caregiver and child. As children gain more control over their body’s movements, we encourage them to participate in the process by lifting their legs and bottom, holding their feet, holding the diaper in place, and then progressing to pulling up or down pants, and washing/drying their hands.

Families provide all of their child’s diapering supplies, including diapers and wipes, and creams and ointments as desired. Due to the aspiration and irritation risks, we do not allow talcum powder or cornstarch to be used. If your child experiences diaper rash, we suggest an over-the-counter diaper cream or petroleum jelly. Please note, as required by EEC [see Health + Safety section]:

Non-prescription topical ointments and sprays such as diaper creams, petroleum jelly, etc., can only be administered to a child with a signed Topical Medication Authorization form. The signed form is valid for one year and includes a list of topical non-prescription medications.
In order to apply topical ointments to wounds or broken skin, First Circle must have an Authorization for Medication form signed by the child’s healthcare provider.

Please note that enrollment in any classroom at First Circle is not contingent upon a child’s ability to use the toilet.

DIAPERING PROCEDURE

We strictly follow requirements and guidelines for safety and sanitation from EEC and the DPH. This step-by-step procedure is posted over every changing table and is followed without exception:

Prior to changing a diaper, the educator washes her hands and puts on disposable non-latex gloves.
Disposable paper is used to line the diaper pad.
After the child is cleaned, new gloves are put on to apply any creams or ointments.
After the child has a clean diaper and is redressed, the educator washes hands and the child’s hands.
The diaper table is disinfected, the educator logs the diaper change in the electronic record.

TOILET LEARNING

Toilet learning is a natural developmental milestone, best achieved through a supportive partnership between families and educators. We emphasize “toilet learning” over “toilet training” because children actively participate in the process rather than being trained by adults.

At First Circle, we help children:

Recognize when they need to use the toilet
Communicate their needs
Manage clothing for bathroom use

We follow research-based best practices, ensuring children are never forced or disciplined for accidents. Readiness varies—some children learn quickly, while others take more time. Our experienced staff provides guidance to make this transition smooth and positive.

GET READY

The most important part of successful toilet learning is to remember it starts with the child. Effective toilet learning doesn’t begin until the child shows signs that they are physically, cognitively, and emotionally ready. There is no standard or imposed “right” age or stage to start toilet learning. Just as each child learns to walk on their own timetable, each child becomes ready for toilet learning in their own time. There are also many cultural differences in handling toilet learning; therefore, it’s important that families and educators effectively communicate regarding these issues, so that they can best support the child in this process.

AVERAGE AGE

The medical fact is that the ability to control bladder and bowel functions is individual to each child. Some two-year-olds are fully using the toilet, and some are not. The average age of readiness varies among all children, and even differs between girls and boys. The physical maturity and readiness skills needed for successful toilet learning appear at the same time in girls and boys, typically between the ages of 18 and 30 months. The average age for girls to complete training is 29 months, and 36 months for boys, but these are just averages. The time is right when a child naturally begins displaying signs of toilet readiness, and their family is physically, emotionally, and environmentally ready for the learning to begin.

READINESS INDICATORS

Toilet learning should start when a child shows readiness and curiosity. Three key factors must be in place:

PHYSICAL: Bladder and bowel control
COGNITIVE: Awareness of the need to use the toilet
EMOTIONAL: Comfort and willingness to participate

Signs of readiness may include staying dry for at least two hours, following simple instructions, recognizing bathroom cues, asking for a change, or showing interest in underwear. The most important sign is that the child wants to use the toilet.

At First Circle, teachers foster early toilet learning by encouraging independence during diaper changes and making bathroom routines familiar and pressure-free.

GET SET

Once a child has shown most of the readiness signs, it is time to prepare the environment at home to best support the start of the process. As each child’s individual signs of readiness and curiosity about the bathroom emerge, First Circle educators begin encouraging toilet learning by:

walking into the bathroom together and then alone to see the toilet
helping them change a wet diaper while standing in the bathroom
having the child try to take off a wet diaper inside the bathroom
having the child practice pulling his/her pants down and up before and after diaper changes until it is routine. Mastering this step is an important part of using the toilet independently.
encouraging the child to climb up to try the toilet
giving the child a wipe to practice with

Educators are always nearby, providing supervision at all times.

AT HOME

Creating a comfortable, child-friendly bathroom setup is key. Choose between a potty chair or a toilet seat with a sturdy stool—letting your child help pick can boost excitement.

To prepare:

Let your child explore the potty seat fully clothed.
Encourage practice with flushing, pulling pants up/down, and sitting/standing.
Watch for cues that they need to go and talk about the sensation.
Model bathroom behavior to help them learn.
Use simple, consistent terms like “potty,” “pee,” and “poop.”
Start when life is calm and avoid stressful transitions like moving, a new sibling, or major routine changes.

In order to minimize power struggles, instead of asking “Do you want to go potty?” say instead, “It’s time to sit on the toilet now.” Never force your child to sit on the toilet; this can not only exacerbate a power struggle, it can make your child afraid of the toilet.

GO!

Once your child feels comfortable and confident that they have “mastered” some or all of these experiences, they are ready for the next steps. It can be helpful to think of toilet learning as a partnership with your child in which you both have your own jobs to do. It is the parent’s responsibility to create a supportive learning environment.

YOUR JOB IS TO:

Wait until your child has shown most of the readiness signals (First Circle teachers will share their assessment with you)
Proceed slowly and take signals from your child
Recognize your child is in control of his or her body
Teach your child words for body parts, and the process
Create an environment to ensure success (such as a potty seat or small potty, etc.)
Expect and handle “accidents” without emotion
Avoid punishment as well as too much praise around toilet use (it can make children feel bad when they aren’t successful)

YOUR CHILD’S JOB IS TO:

Learn their body’s signals for when they need to use the toilet
Use the toilet at their own speed

PROCESS

Children often have more success using the toilet at home than at school, where play can be a distraction. First Circle educators support toilet learning by encouraging regular bathroom visits, asking if children need to go, recognizing body language cues, and teaching proper wiping techniques.

At home, consistency is key. Ensure all toileting essentials are accessible and follow a step-by-step approach:

1. Introduce the toilet

Have your child sit on the toilet after removing a wet/soiled diaper. Flush bowel movements to show toilet use.

2. Establish a routine

Lead your child to the toilet 1-3 times a day, ideally after meals. Encourage sitting for a few minutes with a book or toy.

3. Praise and teach

Encourage cooperation, teach proper wiping, flushing, and handwashing habits.

4. Increase frequency

Gradually build up to routine sitting times (e.g., after meals, before going outside).

5. Transition to underwear

Once consistent success is achieved, celebrate the milestone.

Some children resist using the toilet for bowel movements due to fear, control, or discomfort. If constipation is a concern, consult a pediatrician and adjust their diet. If fear is the issue, ease them in by:

Allowing bowel movements in a diaper while in the bathroom.
Transitioning to sitting on the toilet with a diaper.
Gradually cutting a hole in the diaper before full toilet use.
Patience and consistency will help make the process smooth and positive.

OTHER INFORMATION

TRANSITIONING TO UNDERWEAR

Once a child consistently uses the toilet at home and school, they may be ready for underwear. Start by having them wear cloth underwear at home for a few days before transitioning to school. Pull-ups can delay progress since they feel like diapers, so direct transition to underwear is often best.

CONSISTENCY ACROSS ENVIRONMENTS

To support toilet learning, all caregivers (parents, teachers, babysitters) should follow a consistent routine. At First Circle, teachers take children to the bathroom regularly, provide reminders, and encourage independence. Establish a predictable schedule at home and school, including:

Regular bathroom times
Consistent verbal cues and responses
Step-by-step bathroom routines

CONVENIENCE + DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Avoid clothing that’s difficult to remove, like onesies, buttoned pants, and overalls. Instead, use elastic waistbands to promote independence. Keep extra underwear and clothing available at school.

HANDLING ACCIDENTS

Accidents are part of learning. Respond calmly by reassuring the child, helping them change, and avoiding shame. If a child continues to struggle for weeks or shows no interest, they may not be ready—pause and try again later.

MINIMIZING POWER STRUGGLES

Toileting gives children a sense of control. Avoid excessive praise or disappointment, as this can create resistance. Instead of asking, “Do you want to go potty?” say, “It’s time to sit on the toilet.” Never force a child to sit if they resist.

INCENTIVES AND MOTIVATORS

Rewards like stickers or small prizes can encourage success. Use a potty chart tailored to your child’s motivators, celebrating milestones like:

Sitting on the toilet
Urinating in the toilet
Having a bowel movement in the toilet

Avoid large rewards and never take earned incentives away. Encouraging phrases like, “That’s OK, we’ll try again next time,” help maintain a positive approach.

With patience, consistency, and encouragement, your child will master toilet learning successfully!

NIGHTTIME + NAPTIME

Medically speaking, the physical bodily mechanisms that enable a child to hold urine during the day are not the same as those used while sleeping. There may be a delay, sometimes a significant one, between when a child has mastered holding their urine during the day, and when their body is able to hold urine for the duration of sleep. Until a child can hold their urine consistently while sleeping, we suggest the use of a diaper or pull-up for rest time. By six years old, 90% of children do stay dry at night.

It’s best to think of nighttime dryness as a separate but related milestone on a toilet learning timeline. It’s completely normal for it to take months, or even years, longer for a child’s body to mature enough for reliable nighttime dryness.

WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS NO INTEREST IN TOILET-LEARNING?

If a child is over three years old and shows little interest in the toilet, you can encourage interest by working on self-help skills (like dressing and undressing), changing your child in the bathroom and talking excitedly about how to use the toilet. Modeling bathroom behavior and using phrases like “Let me know next time if you’d like to try the potty,” “Someday it’ll be your turn,” and “Maybe next time you can try the potty if you want,” can help increase interest, as well. It can also be helpful to offer a child a book to read or song to sing while he or she is sitting on the toilet.

GO AGAIN

Toilet learning is not always smooth, and setbacks are normal. Even after mastering the process, children may have accidents, often because they are too engaged in play to notice their body’s signals. It can take months for children to consistently recognize and control their bladder. Common reasons for setbacks include:

Fear of change: Some children resist using the toilet, preferring the comfort of diapers.
Toilet anxiety: Loud flushing or unfamiliar bathrooms can be intimidating. Acknowledging their fear can help.
Constipation: Discomfort or irregular bowel movements may discourage toilet use; increasing fiber can help.
Power struggles: Forcing a child to use the toilet can create resistance. Encourage rather than insist.
Stress: Life changes like moving, a new sibling, or starting childcare can cause regressions.

Toilet learning typically takes 3–6 months, but nighttime dryness may take until age five. Patience, understanding, and flexibility are key to long-term success.

The average timeframe for success in toilet learning is three to six months. It is common, though, for children to continue to wet at night until they are five years old.