Toilet learning is a big step in independence and it is
something that we will focus on in Our Nest. Children who have no
experience with the toilet prior to entering Our Nest will wear
pull-up diapers the first few weeks. Once they are comfortable in
the classroom, we will begin toilet learning. In other words, from that
point on, they will wear thick underpants at school (even if they
arrive in diapers). The
staff will assist with diaper changes and clothes changes as needed
always working towards independence. Teachers will model how to
put on and take off diapers, underpants and pants and they will
guide children through the process with verbal commands. The teachers will also
remind children to utilize the toilet at different intervals in the
day.
The bathrooms in Our Nest will be equipped with wipes,
disposable gloves for the adult, bags to place soiled diapers in and
clean clothes. With the
child standing, the soiled diaper will be removed by the teacher
with the aide of the child (working towards independence so that the
child removes it himself as he’s ready). The child will be asked to
clean himself with the wipes.
The teacher will assist as needed. In the first few weeks, the
child will then put on a pull up diaper and pants and the teacher
will help through modeling and verbalization. When the teachers feel the
child is ready for toilet learning, they will put on underpants
rather than diapers.
Early on in toilet learning, the children wear their
underpants without pants during the work period to ease the toilet
learning process.
Families are encouraged to keep at least one change of
clothing at the school at all times. If a child has wet or soiled
clothing and no change of clothes is available, clean clothing will
be borrowed from either the “extra clothing” box or from another
child of comparable size.
The bag with soiled clothing will be sent home with a note
stating what happened and request clean clothing is returned to
school.
