Toileting Expectations

ASM POTTY TRAINING EXPECTATIONS

The Early Childhood Center: K1, K2 and K3 programs at ASM are based on our belief that an effective education for young children incorporates the principles of child development that will help the child succeed in school and in the future. To ensure a positive first school experience for your child, it is important for parents to understand the need for all children to be potty trained by the time they begin Kinder 1, or first-year ASM students beginning Kinder 2 or Kinder 3.

Why do children have to be potty trained before they begin K1?

Our school does not have the staffing to potty train our students. If a teacher is spending time on potty training with a particular child, s/he is not able to support your child and the other children during routine daily activities.

We have strict health and safety guidelines regarding changing children and disposing of wet or soiled clothing. Additionally, classrooms are not equipped for diaper changing.

We do understand that even potty-trained children will occasionally have toilet accidents. By definition, “accidents” are unusual incidents and should happen infrequently. In these instances, the teachers or a nurse will help children change the child’s clothes, encouraging independence as much as possible.

A POTTY TRAINED CHILD IS A CHILD WHO CAN:

Communicate to the teachers that s/he needs to go to the bathroom.

Alert himself/herself to stop what s/he is doing to go and use the bathroom.

Pull his/her clothes down and get them back up without assistance.

Wipe himself/herself after using the toilet, including after a bowel movement (with minimal assistance for 3 year olds).

Get on and off the toilet by himself/herself.

Flush the toilet.

Wash and dry hands.

Awaken during nap time should s/he have the urge to use the bathroom.

It is not uncommon for a child who is fully potty trained to have a setback when she or he is in a new environment. Kinder teachers are aware of this and will assist the children when necessary. For this reason, teachers will ask you to send a change of clothes that will be left at school in case of accidents, and returned at the end of the school year. Parents will be notified if a child has a bathroom accident.

We understand that each child arrives at this milestone differently. However, if the situation is not manageable within the classroom environment, we will discuss the issue with parents and create a plan of action. Additionally, if we find that a child’s potty needs require more support than we can provide, we will ask parents to take a break from school to work on this important developmental milestone before returning.

ASM STAFF ROLE / RESPONSIBILITIES WITH TOILET SUPPORT

• If a child calls for help with wiping when on the toilet, a teacher or TLA will go into the bathroom, stand outside the stall, and instruct for proper hygiene.

• If a child has an accident, a teacher or TLA will help the child get his/her change of clothes from the locker and move to the bathroom area. The child will change him/herself to the extent possible. The teacher or TLA will assist as necessary.

• In every case, the teacher or TLA will ensure another adult is present in the area. No child or teacher will be alone when a child is changing.

If a child is struggling with toileting independently, the teacher, counselor and Lower School Director will reach out to the family to determine a plan of action. If needed, the school reserves the right to require parents to seek medical support and/or to modify attendance in order for the child to become fully toilet trained before rejoining a classroom.