Good Morning Families, 

I want to send out information about how we handle diapering, potty training, and accidents at Spark! Discovery Preschool, so parents and families are aware of our procedures in preschool classrooms.

​For typically developing children: 

Typically developing children are expected to be potty trained, however we understand that accidents will sometimes occur. If a child is requiring diapering and is typically developing, parents/families need to be proactively working to train the child, as district policy requires children with typical development to be potty trained. 

In the event of a toileting accident, we will help the child change their clothes and the soiled clothing will be sent home with the child in a bag or container. Staff will not send home soiled clothes in the backpack in a plastic bag because the bag is a suffocation hazard to small children; if a plastic bag is used, it will be kept out of reach of children and handed directly to the responsible adult at pick up. If a container is used, please return the container to the classroom. It is not our practice to rinse out soiled clothing at school because our first priority is to attend to the child. Also our laundry area is not located near classrooms, and taking clothing to laundry would require staff to leave students.  

For all families, please provide extra clothing daily in case of accidents, to be kept in their backpack.  Do not put these clothes in a plastic bag, as this creates a suffocation hazard in our classrooms. If no clothes are provided, we have a supply of clothing for emergencies.   Please return the borrowed clothing to school after being washed so they can be reused.  

For children with identified special needs:

Potty training is an opportunity for families and staff at our school to partner and work together.  In accordance with non-discriminatory laws and policies (Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with identified disabilities will not be excluded from District preschools due to the need for potty training. 

Diapers or pull ups, along with wipes, must be provided by the parents/guardians in an on-going manner, and these supplies will be ear-marked in a plastic bin for the specific child. Teachers will reach out to parents/guardians when supplies are running low.  

Our staff, in collaboration with families, are often able to help make significant progress toward or are successful in the completion of potty training before students transition to kindergarten. Also, no children can be excluded from kindergarten due to potty training needs.  

Procedural information: 

Children in diapers, including those in pull-ups, are checked at least every two hours, and more frequently if needed – whenever the child indicates discomfort or exhibits behavior that suggests a soiled or wet diaper. Children are changed when found to be wet or soiled. When children are napping or resting, they will be checked after the completion of nap time in order to preserve nap or rest time. If a student is refusing to be changed, staff will use positive behavior strategies to support them, and parents are notified of any challenges. 

Procedurally, diapering and toilet assists will be conducted according to state health department and child care licensing standards using hygienic procedures.

If children need creams or ointments to be used during the diapering process, a “Permission to Medicate” form must be completed by a medical professional and on file in our school’s office in order for staff to apply them on children.

Our diapering procedures also include the following safeguards and documentation for our staff and students:

1. Two staff members (one as a witness and one conducting diapering/toilet assists/accidents) will be involved in all compromising scenarios. Having two staff members attending to children protects each child as well as each staff member. 

2. A diapering/toilet assist log is completed and signed off by both (caregiver and witness) staff members involved stating the child’s name, time, date and type of change. If a child is checked and found to be dry and unsoiled, this is documented as well.

Please reach out with any questions at 720-652-7906.  

With respect – Paige Gordon, principal