Bathroom Accident

Brookline Sprouts Bathroom Accidents Policy

We strive to provide the best care and education to all students at Brookline Sprouts. We are a facility that requires children to be potty trained. We understand that sometimes children will have occasional accidents. However, when accidents are frequent, it hinders the staff’s ability to fulfill all of their duties to not only your child, but the rest of the class. You may be asked to pick up your child early if they have accidents during class time because your child requires a level of care (diapering) that our classroom structure cannot accommodate. You may also be called to pick up your child early if they have an accident involving loose stools, in accordance with our Health Policy.

Your child should not arrive at school in a diaper or pull-up. Diapers/pull-ups in child bins or bags are prohibited without written approval from Administration. If your child stays for extended care and you feel that your child requires a pull-up during nap time, please speak with Administration and we can work on an independent care policy that works for both staff and your child. If your child requires pull-ups or diapers at any other time, this is a level of care that we cannot accommodate, and they are not an appropriate fit for our program.

If your child is having frequent accidents, we suggest the following: Do not place your child in a diaper or pull-up when they have had an accident. Placing a child in a pull-up rewards their accident by allowing them to not have to use the toilet next time. At home, develop a routine for toileting, taking them to the bathroom every 2 hours and when they request it. Having them try to go at regular intervals helps them to understand that going to the bathroom is necessary. Avoiding going to the bathroom does not change the fact that they will need to use the bathroom eventually. Scheduled bathroom visits help minimize emergencies and accidents. A child should physically enter the bathroom and sit on the toilet for this. If you are only asking a child if they want to go, it will almost always result in a child denying the need to use the bathroom. Children will almost always want to continue playing, eating, watching a show, etc. instead of stopping to use the bathroom. You have to help your child understand the rewards of using the toilet appropriately. Reward your child with lots of verbal praise when they use the toilet, as well as when they have extended periods of time with no accidents (such as a whole day). Some children respond well to stickers and other incentives. Remind them that achieving this goal affords them new privileges, such as going to school or going to the store to pick out underwear. Avoid scolding or punishing a child when they have an accident. Help them to understand what behaviors led up to them having an accident. Did they chose to play instead of using the bathroom? Are they afraid of the bathroom? Were their clothes too complicated or difficult to maneuver? Make adjustments and help them understand how to overcome these concerns. Empower them to make decisions that will give them more independence and potty training success. When facing setbacks, do not focus on the accidents, but rather focus on the future. Set goals with your child to use the bathroom instead of going in a diaper/pull-up or in their underwear.