Pupils start school still in nappies

School nurses are receiving special training to deal with increasing numbers of pupils who are still in nappies.

A growing number of parents are failing to potty train their children before sending them to primary school. Some parents have made it a low priority because they are too busy, while others have a more relaxed attitude and are happy to "wait until the child is ready", according to teachers.

Some schools and nurseries refuse to take children who are still in nappies but councils now advise that they could be contravening the Disability Discrimination Act by doing so. Local authorities are drawing up "nappy changing policies" to establish new procedures while staff in schools are being trained to deal with the problem.



The charity Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence (Eric) runs at least one course a month to give school nurses advice about how to deal with late starters who turn up to school in nappies, as well as children with medical issues. Training sessions for teachers are also under discussion.

"With primary schools, toilet training is a real issue at the moment," said Natasha Collins, education and training coordinator. "There is no hard and fast rule about potty training, parents can only do it when their child is ready. Historically, they really did almost force the children, whether it was the right time for them or not. I do think nowadays, parents seem to be a little more laid back and open to listening to their children, so that could be a reason for it."

Most children are potty trained between the ages of two and three. Although some schools and nurseries do not take children still in nappies, local authorities now warn that they could be breaking the law. Any admission policy that sets a blanket standard of continence or requires parents to come and change a child, or leaves a child in a soiled nappy while they wait, could be considered discriminatory or even a form of abuse.