Understand
Why are so many four-year-olds not potty-trained before starting school?
Overview
A survey by the charity Kindred Squared reveals that almost a third of children starting school in the West Midlands are not fully toilet-trained, with experts pointing to a range of challenges including busy working schedules, lack of timely support, income inequalities, and underlying developmental or emotional issues. While pilots such as the one in York have successfully reduced non-toilet-trained rates through targeted resources, specialists warn against blaming parents and call for better funding and support for both families and schools.
Key points
- Almost a third of children starting school in the West Midlands last year were not fully toilet-trained, according to Kindred Squared.
- A pilot scheme in York sent potty-training and school readiness guides to parents, cutting the number of non-toilet-trained children starting reception by almost half.
- Early years specialists note that toilet-training delays can be linked to underlying issues such as constipation, anxiety, or neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD.
- Working full-time and lacking the traditional 'village' support network make it difficult for many parents to find consecutive days for potty-training.
- Income inequalities affect access to resources, with lower-income families having less access to paid guidance and expensive parenting books.
- School governors and teachers emphasize that schools also require increased funding and resources to support children with broader needs rather than placing all pressure on parents.