Can preschools stop a child starting who isn’t toilet trained?

Question

Q – “I came across a pre-school that doesn’t allow children to start if they’re not toilet trained. I’m interested in finding out if other settings still follow this policy?”

Answers

A – “That’s actually breaking the law. Settings ARE NOT, by law, allowed to discriminate against any child or family regardless of ability, needs, development etc etc etc. Would be interested to know if this setting gets picked up on it. It’s very old-fashioned for a pre-school to have this policy and as said, it is actually breaking the law as we are bound by law to be inclusive.”

A – “That’s what it used to be years ago, back when I was younger, hence why children were trained at 18 months. Sooner you got them trained sooner they could go to nursery.”

A – “Good grief ,how do some settings stay open? How awful, not much sign of being an inclusive setting there. As you can guess my preschool does take children who aren’t toilet trained.”

A – “I have heard of this but I think you could argue as it’s discrimination in my eyes! Awful rule, children develop at different ages/ stages”

A – “That’s terrible!! What about the lovely children with additional needs that may need support!!! Where is the ‘care’ in that.. If settings want an ‘easy’ ‘convenient’ job.. Then go put stickers on fruit or something! Care should be exactly that!! CARE!!”

A – “Never heard of that , we take children even if not potty trained , we just take them once turned 2 as we are a preschool x p.s think that’s awful if I had that with my children they would of never gone nursery”

A – “I suppose it would depend on the facilities if there is not the right space equipment etc for a changing station it could be difficult, however some children especially SEN children may have personal care needs which would need to be addressed.”

A – “25 years ago I was not allowed to start pre school until I was out of nappies. I was 3 my dad was just lazy. It depends if the pre school is from 2. Parents seem to be training at all stages but for them not to take a child is not right.”

A – “This was the case many many years ago! However they have obviously not kept up with the times and I’m really not sure how they are getting away with it!!!!”

A – “I work in a pre school and this is not the case for us, we take 2-5yrs. But I know of other places that tell parents this too! Would love to know how people get round this!”

A – “Not heard this for about 20 years I’d say that they are living in the olden days. Goes against inclusion some children take a lot longer than others”

A – “That only tends to be school preschools that do that as most settings are happy to assist children in toileting as children develop at different rates”

A – “Heard of it but would go completely against inclusion..”

A – “I heard of a preschool near me who said they can only take them from 2 1/2 and potty trained as they don’t have nappy changing facilities”

A – “I’ve heard a lot of pre schools in the US are like this. I don’t think it’s on at all, not inclusive”

A – “This is NOT allowed!! You need to inform your Early Years advisor who will confront the situation!!! Grrrr makes me so cross!!!”

A – “No we don’t. Never heard of any setting with this policy!”

A – “Unless there is some realistic reason children do not wear nappies in are ps”

A – “Didn’t think you could do that these days”

A – “Nappies, no nappies, whatever… All are welcome”

A – “Most take children these days”

A – “Legally schools are no longer allowed to refuse children that aren’t toilet trained due to different needs and understanding the detrimental affect it can have to force a child to toilet train when they are not ready. To force them to train before 2 to go to pre school is very old fashioned. And I’m not even sure that’s allowed to be honest…”