I'm observing a preschool next week for Natalie to begin in the Fall. I feel very sure that she will go there, but I'm observing nevertheless. Anyway, potty training is required at this school. She's been potty-trained since shortly before her 2nd birthday, so that's not an issue, but I wondered what is expected of 3 yr.olds (she will be 3 in June) at preschool with regard to competence in the bathroom? Will she go on her own or will someone help the kids go potty?

I will ask these questions next week, but I wondered what experiences others have had. She can pull down her own pants and panties, but not very quickly to get to the potty. She doesn't pull them up well. She wipes pretty well for pee but still doesn't wipe for poop. She flushes and washes hands on her own as long as she can reach the sink/towels. Should we be working on pulling her pants down and up, and should I put a stool at the sink and toilet all the time for her to climb up herself? I usually hold her up to the sink (a safe stool still will not reach for her to turn the water off completely at my sink) and I usually sit her on the potty.
The class has a teacher and an assistant all the time.
TIA

By Debbie on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 10:02 pm:

When my ds was in preschool, at age 3, they used the bathroom by themselves. This was a small class with 6 students, a teacher, and aide. He only went 2-1/2 hours at a time, and I don't think he ever had a BM there. In fact, he rarely used the bathroom there. I always made sure he went before we left the house.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 10:16 pm:

The preschool my oldest DD attended had short potties and sinks in the classrooms. And honestly, the two schools the kids have attended for elementary have short potties and sinks in the lower grades... Full size restrooms near the 4 and 5th grade's.. I would work towards more independence in case she needs to go while at school but my kids (all four) try to make a habit of not using the restrooms at school. They all actually will avoid public restrooms at all cost, if possible..

By Dawnk777 on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 11:35 pm:

Some of the kindergarteners, at the school where I work, still have trouble with the snaps on their pants and need help. Some of those are because the pants are getting tight and it's hard to snap the snap. Most are independent, though.

By Vicki on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 09:45 am:

When dd went, they had a specific time they all went to the bathroom and washed their hands. (it was right before snack time) We were told that she needed to be able to do it ALL on her own. That if she didn't know how to snap pants, don't send her to school wearing pants with snaps. LOL I am POSITIVE they would not have helped her wipe. I know this all is because of legal reason. What if someone helped her "clean up" and she told someone that Ms. so and so touched my private parts...

By Kittycat_26 on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 10:13 am:

At 3, they will probably all still go together and the teachers will do lots of coaching and assistance. Although Natalie has been potty trained for some time most probably haven't. So it will become part of their everyday activity.

It wasn't until Timmy went into the 4 year old room that they started stressing independance. In fact, they are the ones that have taught Timmy to wipe himself.

She'll be fine.

By Breann on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 10:29 am:

For my kids, it was an "on your own" situation. Of course if they needed help with buttons or whatever, the teacher was more than willing. And, she would always help them remember to wash their hands. But, as for wiping and stuff, it was a solo process.

We used the flushable wipes, and they were great for toddlers learning to wipe.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 11:27 am:

I often had to snap pants as a K teacher! LOL I know I wouldn't wipe butts as a K teacher (although I've been asked before by my principal), but I thought it might be different in a preschool situation. I did wipe butts when I worked at daycare 100 years ago.

They probably *will* all go together I would guess. Thanks for the info and reassurance. Regardless we're starting to work more on doing the pants by herself. I'm anxious to get in there next week! Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure what to expect.

By Jjb on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 10:08 am:

From my experience with preschool the teachers will be very flexible the first few months. In each of my DS's classes there were a few kids that were not potty trained. The teachers will probably focus on getting the kids used to the routine of school and encourage them to use the potty on their own, fully knowing that some kids will need help. They have a wonderful way of know who needs help and who doesn't. The teachers did wipe butts (poor teachers!). They're still very little and the teachers recognize this- especially the beginning of the year.