Early Years Toileting Policy and Practice
Early Years (PreK, KG, G1) Toileting Practices and Procedures (Updated: Nov.2020)
Young children entering ISB have just started to develop and practice the skills needed to use the toilet independently. Through working as a team and providing a consistent and patient approach, we can continue to support children with taking ownership of this aspect of their development. Transitioning to a new environment can also be challenging even for those children who have already learned or were making progress with toilet training. Most children who are ready for the Early Years program will, with support, be able to consistently use the toilet in the first few weeks at school with only occasional accidents.
When children are learning to toilet independently, frequent and regular accidents may happen. Teachers can record to assess how a child is coping and whether they need a little more practice at home. We are able to keep the child’s place open at school until their return. This flexibility is supported by our administration.
If there is a change in toileting behavior for children who are confident and skilled at toileting, or if a student is having regression and more frequent accidents than is typical for that student, or if there are concerning behaviors surrounding personal care, report to an administrator or counselor immediately.
Resources and Facilities
Whenever possible, the existing toilet areas within our Early Childhood Piazza should be used. The disabled toilet outside the Piazza entrance is also an option in certain situations. At the start of the year, we will provide regular opportunities to encourage children to use the toilet in line with our daily routine.
Safeguarding toileting procedures:
It is important to treat each individual child with dignity and respect, especially during a time when they are still learning the toileting process. Expect the child to make mistakes and encourage them while teaching appropriate toileting behaviours.
Recall that cell phones are prohibited from the toileting area.
Urine Accidents:
In the case of a small wetting accident, place paper towels on the floor to mop up spillages. This prevents other children standing or walking across the wet floor. Staff will inform B&G about the body fluid spill for proper cleaning and staff will keep children away from the area until it is properly cleaned.
Please let your team know where you are going and then support the child to get their changing bag from their backpack. Walk with them to the Quad bathroom and support them with changing by providing verbal directions and instructions from outside the cubicle. Please remember that our goal is to help the student be as independent as possible in a caring way.
If a student needs greater levels of support, such as the teacher looking/reaching over the cubicle to assist or going inside the cubicle to physically help, seek permission from the student first.
You will have access to cleaning materials in the cupboards inside the Quad bathroom - wipes (hypoallergenic), gloves, recycled bags.
Dispose of used wipes and gloves in the designated clinical waste trash can with red liner.
Document the accident using the Google Sheet for your class. Please notify the Health Coordinator and/or ES Counselor if patterns are emerging that might require medical and/or social-emotional consultation.
Notify parents of the accident
Soiling Accident:
Let your team know where you are going, and contact B&G for body fluid spill clean up if needed.
Get the changing bag from the child’s backpack or access spare supplies of ISB shorts and t-shirts.
Use the cleaning materials from the cupboards inside the Quad bathroom.
To support the child with changing clothes and cleaning, choose a private and safe location such as the first two cubicles on the left as you enter the bathroom.
Our goal is to help the child be as independent as possible in a caring way. Provide verbal instructions to the student to support them with cleaning and changing.
If a student needs greater levels of support, such as the teacher looking/reaching over the cubicle to assist or going inside the cubicle to physically help, seek permission from the student first.
If necessary, it is permissible for us to provide 1:1 personal care as stated in our ISB Personal Care Policy. In this instance, please inform an available adult in the Early Childhood Center before you begin.
For more significant or concerning soiling accidents, please call the Health Center to see if support might be available.
Dispose of used wipes and gloves in the designated clinical waste trash can with red liner.
Document the accident using the Google Sheet for your class. Please notify the Health Coordinator and/or ES Counselor if patterns are emerging that might require medical and/or social-emotional consultation.
Notify parents of the accident.
Managed by ES admin & safeguarding committee - Revised November 2020