What is the new potty training guidance from Kindred Squared?

The new guidance offers practical tips for parents, including encouraging reading about potty training, involving toys, promoting fibre-rich diets, and ensuring adequate hydration.

Why are teachers concerned about children not being toilet-trained?

Teachers are losing over two hours daily assisting children with basic skills, which takes time away from teaching and supporting their development.

What is the ideal age for children to be out of nappies?

For children without medical conditions, the ideal window to be out of nappies is between 18-30 months.

Home / Education / Quarter of Kids Start School Untrained: Expert Help Arrives

Quarter of Kids Start School Untrained: Expert Help Arrives

9 Dec

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Summary

A quarter of children start school not toilet-trained.
Teachers lose over two hours daily assisting untaught skills.
New guidance promotes fibre-rich diets and early potty training.

Quarter of Kids Start School Untrained: Expert Help Arrives

A significant educational challenge is emerging as a quarter of children now arrive at school without being toilet-trained, a stark contrast to previous decades. This situation forces primary school staff to dedicate over two hours each day to assisting with basic life skills, diverting valuable time from core lessons and hindering overall student development. This trend underscores a growing need for parental support in early childhood development.

To address this, early years charity Kindred Squared, with backing from the Departments for Education and Health & Social Care, has launched a new guide for parents. It offers practical strategies, including encouraging children to read potty-training books or let their toys 'take turns' on the potty. The guide also stresses the importance of a diet rich in fibre, ample water intake spread throughout the day, and identifying the optimal age range of 18-30 months for toilet independence.