Transitional Kindergarten

No. According to state legislation, school districts may not deny enrollment to TK students who are not fully potty trained. However, we strongly encourage families to potty train their children before the school year begins to support their independence and daily routine.

Fully potty-trained students may occasionally have accidents, but they are expected to be able to:

• Wear underwear (not pull-ups) to school

• Communicate their need to use the bathroom

• Independently manage toileting, including:
  Pulling down/up underpants
  Sitting on the toilet or standing at the urinal. 
  Voiding bowels/bladder

• Handle hygiene tasks, such as:
  Accessing toilet paper and wiping
  Disposing of toilet paper properly
  Flushing the toilet
  Washing and drying hands

All TK classrooms are located near a bathroom. Teachers will encourage students to use the bathroom during regular breaks. Additional staff are available to support students with bathroom needs throughout the day.

• If a student is wet, they will be taken to the health office to change.

• If a student has a bowel movement, parents may be contacted to pick up the child.

• School staff (classroom or front office) will assist students with personal hygiene and clean clothing as needed.

• For significant accidents, we will contact families to determine the best way to support the child.

We encourage you to consult your child’s pediatrician for individualized guidance. Below are helpful, evidence-informed resources:
Articles & Guides:

• Toileting for Children – Evidence-informed Interventions

• Toilet Training Milestone: Getting Started & Developmental Milestone, Ready Kids Occupational Therapy

• Helping Children with Toilet Learning in Child Care – eXtension Alliance for Better Child Care

• KidsHealth-Toilet Training 

• Healthy Children Potty Training

• Toilet Teaching Without Tears PDF -- English

• Toilet Teaching Without Tears PDF -- Spanish

• Toilet Teaching Without Tears Podcast

Can you provide resources to help with potty training?Some helpful links with resources such as visuals, schedule templates, and goal and rewards boards are provided below:

• Potty Training: How to get the job done-Mayo Clinic 

Videos:

• Once Upon a Potty,
• Elmo’s Potty,
• Daniel Tiger’s Stop and Go Potty