My child goes to daycare 4 or 5 days a week. What can I do at home?

Potty training often starts at home, even if your child spends a lot of time at daycare or with a child care provider. Start on the days your child is home, such as on the weekends. You don’t have to do it every day.

Reading books and practicing potty training (steps 1 and 2) can also be done in the morning and evening during short sessions (5 to 10 minutes). So, before your child goes to daycare, read a book about the potty. Or take your child with you when you go to the bathroom yourself. A diaper-free moment can also happen in the evening after dinner, before bedtime. Or on the weekend.

Practicing potty training without a diaper (in steps 3 and 4) works well in the morning and evening on weekdays. And on the days you are home with your child, you can do some extra practice. Children often learn at daycare by seeing other children go to the bathroom. Discuss with the daycare or childminder from the start what they can do to help your child with potty training. Such as joining in on bathroom breaks.