All parents with children starting school in September will get a toilet training guide from City of York Council.
Around 1,700 households will receive a booklet focusing on how parents can get children toilet trained before starting school. It’s the first initiative of its kind in the country.
It comes after a survey by national charity Kindred Squared found about one in four children started reception in 2025 not toilet trained.
York parents and carers will also get a second booklet with tips to make sure children are ready to start Reception.
The colourful information booklets have been produced in partnership with Kindred Squared and schools, early years settings and childcare and health professionals in York.
A City of York Council spokesperson said: “Staying clean and dry through the school day, without the need to wear nappies, helps children to feel confident, healthy and part of their class group.
“It also means teachers can spend more time teaching and supporting children’s development in other ways.”
Families can also attend a toilet training workshop with York’s Healthy Child Service at community venues across the city over the next few weeks. More information is available here.
Cllr Bob Webb, City of York Council’s executive member for children, young people and education, said: “When children arrive for their first day at school, ready to learn, they’re going to enjoy their time far more, and it ensures that school staff can focus all of their energy on teaching and learning.
“Supporting all children across the city to do their very best at school is an absolute priority and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to work with schools, childcare settings and charitable foundation Kindred Squared to create these new resources to help parents and carers support their child to get school-ready.”
Chief executive of Kindred Squared Felicity Gillespie said: “This is the first time in England that an entire city is coming together to create a joined-up approach to toilet training in this way.
“We know from our annual school readiness surveys that too many children are starting in Reception not toilet trained and, on average, teachers are losing the equivalent of a day a week of teaching time helping children who are not able to go to the toilet themselves.
“That has a damaging impact on learning for every child in the class, every single school day. We know parents really want clear and concise advice, and the goal is to ensure every family in York has the best resources they need to ensure their child is toilet trained before starting school.”
