Potty Training: When to start?

One of the questions we hear most often from families is, “When should we start potty training?” The answer is different for every child. Potty training is a journey, and every child develops at their own pace.

Some children are eager to get started, while others need more time. Looking for a sign of readiness can help you recognise when your child is ready to begin. By following your child's lead and offering gentle encouragement, you can help your child feel confident and supported throughout the process.

Most children start learning potty and toilet skills from around 18 months, although there is no perfect age to begin. Starting when family routines are settled can make training your child easier and less stressful.

Some children, including those with SEND, may benefit from visual supports, adapted equipment or extra time to build confidence. Potty training is not a single event, but a gradual process of preparation, practice and growing independence.

Small skills that build confidence

When people think about potty training, they often focus on using the potty itself. In reality, there are lots of smaller skills that children develop along the way, all of which help build confidence and independence.

Developing these skills is an important part of potty training and helps children prepare to learn to sit on the potty with confidence.

These skills include:

• Pulling trousers, leggings, skirts or dresses up and down
• Pulling underwear up and down by themselves
• Sitting safely on a potty or toilet seat
• Knowing where the potty or toilet is located
• Understanding simple words such as "wee", "poo", "potty", "toilet" and "wash hands"
• Telling an adult when they need help
• Learning to wipe themselves with support from an adult
• Flushing the toilet
• Washing and drying their hands
• Recognising body signals such as wriggling, hiding, pausing during play or holding themselves

Building these skills gradually helps children develop independence and confidence long before they are consistently using the potty.

A step by step approach to potty training

Step 1: Talk about it

Use everyday language around toileting.

For example:

• "You've done a wee."
• "Let's change your nappy in the bathroom."
• "Mummy is going to the toilet."

Normalising these conversations helps children understand what toileting is and why it happens.

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Step 2: Read books and play

Stories, role play and toys are wonderful ways to introduce potty training before you begin.

Children learn through play, and seeing familiar characters use the potty can make the experience feel much less daunting.

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Step 3: Practise sitting

Encourage your child to learn to sit on the potty or toilet for short, relaxed periods.

No pressure and no long waits, just gentle practice.

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Step 4: Build a routine

Offer opportunities to use the potty at regular points during the day, including:

• After meals
• Before leaving the house
• Before naps
• Before bath time

Consistency helps children learn what to expect.

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Step 5: Use positive encouragement

Using gentle encouragement helps children build confidence and understand that learning takes time.

Focus praise on effort rather than results.

Try saying:

• "Well done for trying."
• "You listened to your body."
• "You sat on the potty, that's brilliant."
• "Accidents happen. Let's clean up and try again later."

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Step 6: Work together with nursery

Sharing information between home and nursery can make a huge difference.

Let us know:

• What is working at home
• Which words your child uses
• Any routines you've established
• Any challenges you're facing

Consistency helps children feel secure and confident.

How books can help with potty training

Books can be a brilliant way to introduce potty training before you begin.

They help children understand what the potty or toilet is for, what happens during the process and how other children learn these skills too.

Stories make potty training feel normal, fun and far less scary. They also introduce useful words around toilets, flushing, handwashing, pants and accidents.

Reading the same book again and again helps children understand the routine before they practise it themselves.

How to use books effectively

• Read potty books before training starts.
• Keep books near the potty or bathroom.
• Choose books with simple illustrations and positive messages.
• Encourage your child to ask questions.
• Use stories to reassure children that accidents happen.
• Look for books that reflect different families, cultures, abilities and experiences.

Types of books to explore

• Simple potty training stories
• Picture books about bodies and routines
• Books featuring diverse characters
• Stories about confidence and trying new things
• Social stories with clear step-by-step pictures

Helpful items for potty training

Having a few useful resources ready can make the experience smoother and less stressful.

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Potty Training Checklist

✅ Potty or toilet training seat
✅ Step stool
✅ Easy-to-pull-down clothing
✅ Plenty of spare pants
✅ Training pants
✅ Spare trousers, leggings, socks and shoes
✅ Wipes and nappy bags for outings
✅ Waterproof mattress protector
✅ Travel potty or foldable toilet seat
✅ Handwashing visual prompt
✅ Sticker chart (page 8)
✅ Bubbles
✅ Books
✅ Timer or visual routine card
✅ Social stories or picture cards
✅ Reward stickers
✅ A small basket of favourite potty books

Try This: Bubbles

Blowing bubbles can help some children relax their tummy and pelvic muscles, making it easier to release a wee and support healthy bladder and bowel habits.

Keep a small bottle of bubbles nearby. If your child is happy sitting on the potty but finds it difficult to wee, gently blowing bubbles gives them something fun and calming to focus on.

Keep it playful and pressure-free.

Our top tips

• Keep your language positive and simple.
• Choose clothes your child can manage by themselves.
• Avoid asking "Do you need a wee?" repeatedly.
• Instead, try: "It is potty time."
• Encourage sitting after meals, before naps and before outings.
• Praise trying, not just successful wees or poos.
• Expect accidents. They are part of learning.
• Avoid showing frustration.
• Keep routines consistent between home and nursery.
• Do not compare siblings or other children.
• Watch for signs of constipation, withholding or discomfort.
• Celebrate every achievement, no matter how small.
• Look for signs that your child is ready, such as staying dry for longer periods, showing interest in the toilet or recognising when they need a wee or poo.
• Remember that staying dry at night often develops later than daytime potty training and may take extra time.

Remember, pulling pants down by themselves or remembering to wash hands are important successes too.

What if potty training doesn't go to plan?

Potty training rarely follows a straight path. Many children do brilliantly for a few days and then suddenly start having accidents again. This does not mean you have failed, and it certainly does not mean your child cannot do it.

Setbacks are a normal part of supporting children as they learn new skills and build confidence.

Accidents often happen when children are:

• Tired
• Deeply engaged in play
• Feeling unwell
• Constipated
• Settling into nursery
• Adjusting to a new sibling
• Moving house
• Experiencing changes to routine

What should parents do?

• Stay calm and matter-of-fact.
• Avoid telling your child off.
• Clean up and move on.
• Return to regular potty reminders.
• Check clothing is easy to remove.
• Look for patterns in accidents.
• Speak to nursery so everyone can support your child consistently.

If your child seems distressed, constipated, in pain or is regularly withholding wees or poos, seek advice from your health visitor or GP.

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Do we need to start again?

Not necessarily. Sometimes children simply need more practice, a short pause or less pressure.

If your child is becoming overwhelmed or resistant, it can help to step back, continue reading books, keep using potty language and maintain familiar routines before trying again.

A helpful phrase to use is:

"Your body is still learning. Let us get changed and try again later."

Remember...

Potty training is not a race. Every child develops at their own pace, and success comes from patience, consistency and gentle encouragement.

By recognising each sign of readiness, celebrating progress and supporting children through setbacks, families can help children develop confidence in managing their bladder and bowel needs.

By working together at home and at nursery, celebrating small wins and keeping expectations realistic, you can help your child build the confidence they need to take this important next step in their learning and development.

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Download Our Free Potty Training Guide

Looking for extra support with your child's potty training journey? Download our free Potty Training Guide, created by our early years experts to help families understand when to start potty training, recognise signs of readiness and build confidence every step of the way.

Whether you're just beginning potty training, looking for practical toilet training tips, or managing common setbacks and accidents, our guide is packed with advice to help make the experience positive and stress-free for both you and your child.

Inside you'll find:

• Expert potty training advice from our early years specialists
• A simple step-by-step potty training approach
• Signs your child may be ready to start potty training
• Practical potty training tips for toddlers
• Advice on managing accidents, regressions and setbacks
• A printable potty training sticker chart to celebrate progress
• Helpful resources to support independence and confidence
• Tips for creating consistent potty training routines at home and nursery

Our downloadable guide is designed to support parents through every stage of potty and toilet training, helping children develop the skills and confidence they need at their own pace.

Download your free Potty Training Guide today and keep it handy throughout your family's potty training journey.