More parents across England are to receive support with potty training their children before they begin primary school, under an expansion of a pilot scheme designed to ensure pupils arrive in reception class ready to learn. The move follows a survey of teachers which suggested that around one in four children who started reception in 2025 were not toilet trained.
The initiative, which began in York, will be extended to more councils and families, offering practical guidance to parents and carers of toddlers. The support is intended to reduce the number of children arriving at school without the basic self-care skills expected at the start of formal education. Teachers have long warned that a lack of toilet training places additional pressure on school staff and can hold back a child's social and academic development.
Under the expanded programme, families will be given advice on recognising when a child is ready to begin potty training, how to establish a consistent routine, and how to manage accidents without causing distress. The scheme is voluntary and aims to complement, rather than replace, the role of parents in preparing their children for school. Councils taking part will work with health visitors and early years providers to identify families who may need extra help.
The survey of teachers, conducted last year, found that a significant minority of reception-age children were still in nappies or pull-ups when they started school. This can create practical difficulties for schools, including the need for additional staff time and changes of clothing, as well as emotional challenges for children who may feel embarrassed or excluded from activities. Reception teachers have reported that toileting accidents can disrupt lessons and require one-to-one attention that stretched classrooms can ill afford.
Early years experts say the causes of delayed toilet training are varied. They include the pressures of modern family life, a lack of accessible advice for parents, and the increased availability of highly absorbent nappies that can mask a child's readiness. Some parents also report feeling uncertain about when and how to begin training, particularly if they have no previous experience with young children. The pilot scheme is designed to address these gaps by providing clear, non-judgemental guidance at an earlier stage.
The expansion of the scheme has been welcomed by teaching unions and children's charities, who argue that supporting families before children start school is more effective than trying to address the issue once they are in the classroom. They point out that being toilet trained is not merely a matter of convenience but is closely linked to a child's confidence, independence and ability to participate fully in school life. Children who are not yet trained may be reluctant to join group activities or may miss learning time while being changed.
However, some commentators have cautioned against placing too much blame on parents, noting that many families face significant challenges, including limited access to health services, housing insecurity and the rising cost of living. They argue that the focus should be on providing practical support rather than stigmatising those who struggle. The pilot scheme's voluntary and supportive approach is intended to strike that balance.
The government has not yet indicated whether the scheme will be rolled out nationally, but the early results from York are understood to have been encouraging. If the expansion proves successful, it could become a standard part of early years support across the country. For now, the additional help will be targeted at areas where teachers have reported the highest levels of need.
The issue of school readiness more broadly has been a growing concern in recent years, with teachers reporting that increasing numbers of children arrive at reception without basic skills such as being able to use the toilet independently, dress themselves or follow simple instructions. While the potty training pilot focuses on one specific aspect of readiness, it reflects a wider recognition that the transition to school begins long before the first day of term. By offering help to parents early, the scheme aims to give more children the best possible start to their education.