Transitional Kindergarten Potty Training Guidelines
Transitional Kindergarten Potty Training Guidelines
Does my child need to be potty trained to attend TK?
State law does not allow school districts to deny enrollment in Transitional Kindergarten if a child is not fully potty trained. However, we strongly encourage families to have their child potty trained before the first day of school to support a smoother transition.
What does “fully potty trained” mean?
A fully potty-trained child may still have an occasional accident, but generally:
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Wears regular underwear (no pull-ups)
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Can tell an adult when they need to use the bathroom
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Can independently manage toileting (pull down clothing, sit on the toilet or stand at a urinal, and use the bathroom)
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Can independently handle hygiene needs (use toilet paper, wipe properly, place paper in the toilet, flush, pull up clothing, and wash/dry hands)
Will TK classrooms have a bathroom?
Yes. All TK classrooms are located near restrooms. Teachers encourage students to use the bathroom during breaks, and additional staff is available to help if needed.
What happens if my child has an accident?
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Wet accident: The student will go to the health office to change into clean clothes.
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Bowel movement accident: Parents will be contacted to come and assist or pick up their child.
Need help with potty training?
We’ve provided links to helpful articles below. For more tailored advice, please speak with your child’s pediatrician.
Toileting for Children and Youth 0-5
Helping Children with Toileting Learning in Child Care
Toilet Teaching without Tears- Podcast
Mayo Clinic - How to get the job done
Children videos to promote Toilet Training:
Pete the Cat - Learn to use the potty
Daniel Tiger's Stop & Go Potty