Pumpkin Patch Acres provides care for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Because this is a group childcare environment, hygiene and sanitation are essential to the health and safety of all children in care.
Diapered Children
- Infants and toddlers who are not developmentally ready for toilet use must attend in diapers
- We do not practice ‘elimination communication’ or other techniques that are not developmentally age appropriate in a group child care setting
Potty Training Readiness
Potty training should begin at home when a child shows clear signs of readiness. These include:
- Staying dry for extended periods
- Awareness of bodily cues
- Ability to communicate toileting needs
- Ability to follow simple directions
- Ability to manage clothing with minimal assistance
Potty training in a group-care setting requires a higher level of readiness than at home.
Potty Training at Daycare
Pumpkin Patch Acres supports potty training that has already begun at home but does not provide potty training as a service.
Once a child begins potty training:
- The child must attend in underwear
- Pull-ups or training pants are not permitted
- The child must be able to communicate the need to use the toilet
- The child must be able to manage clothing with minimal assistance
Pull-ups function as diapers and are not compatible with maintaining group hygiene once potty training has begun.
Accidents
- Occasional accidents are expected and will be handled calmly and respectfully.
- Parents must provide multiple complete changes of clothing each day.
However:
- Frequent accidents are not appropriate for group care
- Repeated accidents may indicate the child is not ready
- Parents may be asked to pause potty training and return to diapers until readiness is demonstrated
This policy is necessary to maintain a clean and safe environment for all children.
Parent Responsibilities
Parents are responsible for:
- Beginning potty training at home
- Ensuring their child is developmentally ready before transitioning out of diapers
- Providing sufficient extra clothing
- Dressing children in easy-to-manage clothing (no belts, overalls, or complicated fasteners)
Program Limitations
- Bathroom breaks are offered at routine times
- The program cannot accommodate constant individual reminders
- Potty watches, timers, charts, and elimination communication are not used
Summary
Potty training is an important developmental milestone. In a group childcare setting, readiness, independence, and hygiene are essential. These policies are in place to support successful toileting while protecting the health, safety, and dignity of all children in care.
Pumpkin Patch Acres Family Home Daycare🌼 