NDNA was interested to read recent reports that an increasing number of teachers are reporting children are starting school not fully toilet trained.
Many reports focused on how changing soiled children is not in the job description of either a teacher or a teaching assistant. As a result of queries, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers has published guidance for members.
However, rather than asking if today's parents are 'too busy' to properly toilet train their child, if modern nappies make children 'too comfortable' or if teachers should change soiled children, we should question whether children are ready to start school.
Over recent years there has been a real shift to children starting school earlier and earlier. Summer-born children may start school in September, when only a few weeks before they were aged three. In addition, the recent proposal made in the Rose review that all children start school the September following their fourth birthday was accepted by Government.
Children develop at different paces and the simple truth is that some are not ready for school at four. NDNA believes there is a link between this and teachers reporting more children struggling to use the toilet.
Nurseries work in partnership with parents to help a child through the toilet training process, with keyworkers playing an important role. In addition, with higher staff:child ratios, nurseries can offer a supportive caring environment to help children during this time.
Teachers cannot often leave the classroom for extended periods of time to help a child change, or deal with the upset they may feel having had an accident. NDNA welcomed the recent decision to allow parents to continue to receive early education and learning at a provider of choice, such as a nursery, if they feel their child is not ready for school. NDNA believes we must take a serious look at whether a child is physically and psychologically ready for a school environment at four.
Every child is different and it is important that they are not pushed into an environment they are not fully prepared for. Parents should be encouraged to decide when their child is really ready, and to understand that staying at nursery longer can offer real benefits.
Purnima Tanuku is chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association
