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Okay, so every teacher’s nightmare is the toilet accidents in the EYFS. Anyone who has come from other than Early Years asks the same questions…. What do you do when they wet themselves and most importnatly – how do you prevent it?
Well, here’s the back up plan…
Toilet Area (EYFS) – Introduction
Now, its always advised that on the first few days to show children where the toilets are in the EYFS. There is a bigger reason then just settling in! Its to show them where to go when they need the bathroom – put simply right? BUT! If you want to save yourself from some easily avoidable toilet accidents make sure you do this! If you’re interested in how to start the EYFS Year then you can get some advice here.
Toilet Area (EYFS) – Prevention of Accidents
First few weeks of school: Now, only in the first few weeks of school should you remind the children to use the bathroom. They become really excited in a new environment and bodily functions is sometimes the last thing on the mind.
It’s a simple roll call to remind the little ones they have bodily functions aside from needing to play. When they come in from play outdoors simply ask. ”Does anyone need to use the toilet?” or when they’ve been playing for an hour do the roll call again.
If a child responds – waaay to quickly ”No” then do a double check. ”Are you sure?” About two times they’re usually the ones who are reminded at home and do need the bathroom. Usually on the third ”Are you sure” they surrender to their bodily functions. Don’t force EYFS children to usethe toilet fear and anxiety causes MORE toilet accidents not less.
How to prevent toilet accidents in the EYFS on a trip: My beloved teacher, please, plan your toilet breaks. Here is a rough scheduale for you. I mean tolietting accidents suck but they suck 1000x more on a trip.
- Before you leave for the trip – Make sure EVERY CHILD GOES (There’s a trick for the reluctant ones if you keep reading)
- When you arrive at the trip
- After snack time on the trip
- After lunch time (Another time every child goes)
- Just before you leave to go back to school (Every child should use the toilet,again for good measure)
How to prevent toilet accidents in the EYFS during the year:
- The forgetful: The forgetful child needs a gentle reminder and sometimes I give them special rules, such as ”You must use the toilet before you play outside.”
- The fearful: Who doesn’t hate the toilet used by 3 – 5 year olds? The least hygenic place in the world! ~ probably. However, I dont wanna have to clean up the mess OUTSIDE the toilet. Here is a trick, tell the child you’ll stand nearby to make them feel comfortable. You are not allowed in the cubicals in some schools and countries so I used to stand in the hall to help with their fear. They just need reassurance there will be someone to help if they call out.
- The ”I dont wanna go”: Okay, my love. I can see your leg bouncing up and down and I can see that you’ve crossed your legs so tight that you can barely move. You really don’t wanna go? With these kids just a simple sentence works most of the time. ”Okay, just sit on the toilet and see what happens.” This also works for children with tummy aches.
Toilet Area (EYFS) – Guidance – No hands
Make sure you have signs in the toilet area!
Toilet Area (EYFS) – Preparing for disaster
Teach them to dress themsleves for P.E. This will help greatly when they have an accident because they can change themsleves easily. Ensure you inform the parents so they can get themselves cleaned.
The kid who is wriggling on the carpet with a pleading expression. In this instance forget about mannerisms just say – Go to the toilet and give that child freedom.
On really exciting days like experiments or curriculum days remember to go back to giving reminders.
What if you don’t have suitable toilets
If you building isnt purpose built, don’t worry about! I’ve worked in settings that needed some help with this. The simplest solution is to use stools to enusure children can reach the sink and to install child friendly toilet seats.
There have been nightmares…
It’s a minscule part of the job in Nursery and Reception compared with babies and toddlers. Some disatgers happen when you’re playing with a baby and you feel something wet, squishy and soft running down their leg and it’s your job to clean it up. Especially, if you are working agency. They’ll boss you about to get the job – they don’t want to do – done.
I laugh at year 1 and 2 teachers who complain about a child wetting themselves on the carpet. To be honest i’ve eventually become immune to it. I love my job and like I said if you can do what i’ve advised above. Then you will defintetly succees.
Read only if you dare…they get progressively worse
Nightmare 1: It was the first time a little boy had ever used the toilet in school. I had to escort him to the bathroom and give him simple instructions. ”Pull down your trousers and sit on the toilet.” You see…the thing is I had no idea that some kids had to ”push it down” so that wasn’t part of my instruction. It was to my utter shock, when the liquid flew straight at me onto my dress.
My shock and horror, thinking something may have been wrong with the child. After, telling my friend she politely explained that some boys need this extra instruction. Yup. Here’s your advice guys…tell them to ”PUSH IT DOWN!” Dont make the same mistake.
Nightmare 2: I encountered another child who had never been to the toilet, independently. On this occasion, the little girl followed my instruction as I stood slightly away…a safer territory? Nope.
I told her to take the tissue and wipe herself with it. She did so and then proceded to remove the tissue from herself, look at the stained tissue and give me a puzzled look as in what to do with it. She then procedded to show me the stained tissue. I try very hard to never express emotions of disgust but in this instance,
I have no idea what my faced looked like. I still remember that tissue burrowed deep into my memory. She hadn’t finished as she chucked it on the floor. I pleaded with her. ”No, darling, throw it in the toilet”. She picked it up and it landed in the correct place – almost as the tissue hung slightly off the toilet…
Nightmare 3: Now, there has been time where a child has exploded and we’ve had to call the parent to come in. This story is too grim to go into detail but let’s just say there was a giant cellotaped X on the door once the child was saftly away.
Do you have a horror story? Share it with me and your fellow victims in the comments!
