Toilet Training Policy at Daycare — Does My Child Need to Be Potty Trained? | Daisy Days

One of the most common questions from parents enrolling their toddler or preschooler at Daisy Days Daycare in Regina SK is: “Does my child need to be potty trained before they can start?” The answer depends on your child’s age and program — and the reality is more supportive than many parents expect.

Toilet Training Requirements by Age Group at Licensed Daycares in Saskatchewan

Infants (Birth-18 Months)

Infants are in diapers. No toilet training is expected or appropriate. Daisy Days Daycare’s infant educators handle all diapering with provincial hygiene protocols. Parents supply diapers and wipes (labelled), or confirm the centre’s supply policy at enrollment.

Toddlers (18 Months-3 Years)

Toilet training typically begins somewhere between 18 and 36 months depending on developmental readiness. Licensed daycares in Saskatchewan understand that toilet training is a developmental process — not a prerequisite for enrollment at the toddler level. Daisy Days Daycare works with toddlers in diapers and through the toilet training transition.

Key to success: consistency between home and daycare. We ask parents to:

• Communicate their home approach and timing
• Pack extra clothing during the training period (minimum 3 full changes)
• Use the same language and signals at home and daycare for toilet readiness
• Keep expectations aligned — daycare educators use positive, patient guidance

Preschoolers (3-5 Years)

Many preschool programs across Saskatchewan prefer that children are toilet trained before starting the preschool group — primarily because preschool programming moves at a pace that works better with toileting independence. However, we understand that development isn’t linear, and we work individually with families in this age range who are still working on toilet readiness.

If your preschool-age child is not yet toilet trained, contact Daisy Days Daycare at 306-807-3233 to discuss our specific policy and how we can support your child’s readiness.

Signs of Toilet Training Readiness

Saskatchewan’s ECE professionals look for these readiness signs before beginning active toilet training:

• Shows awareness of wet or soiled diapers — pulls, points, or signals
• Can follow simple 2-step instructions
• Can pull pants up and down with minimal help
• Stays dry for 1.5-2 hours at a stretch
• Shows interest in the toilet — curious, willing to sit
• Can communicate need (verbally or non-verbally) before going

Most children show these signs between 24-30 months, but the range is wide (18-36+ months). Early training before readiness is significantly less effective and more stressful for everyone.

How Daisy Days Daycare Supports the Toilet Training Process

• Regular toilet visits: Consistent scheduled trips to the bathroom throughout the day
• Positive reinforcement only: We never shame, rush, or punish — positive encouragement and patience
• Parent communication: Daily check-ins on progress and any accidents, so home and daycare stay aligned
• Accident management: Full changes available (pack those extra clothes!), handled matter-of-factly without making the child feel bad
• Consistency: We use the same words and cues as home when parents share their approach with us

What to Pack During Toilet Training

• 3 complete clothing changes (top, bottom, underwear or diaper depending on where they are in training)
• Plastic bag for soiled clothing
• Training pants or specific underwear if you’re using them at home
• Spare shoes if a shoe accident is possible (during early training, sometimes)

→ Full daycare bag packing checklist for toddlers
→ Toddler program at Daisy Days Daycare
→ Preschool program at Daisy Days Daycare

Contact Daisy Days Daycare to discuss your child’s toilet training situation.
306-807-3233 | info@daisydaysdaycare.com | 2007 Potts Crescent East, Regina SK S4V 2E5