East Lancashire pupils starting primary school are not toilet trained

3:09pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News

AN increasing number of five-year-olds are not ready to start primary school, according to union bosses.

A survey has seen a rise in the number of children wetting and soiling themselves at primary school because they are not toilet trained.

And union representatives for East Lancashire said some children lack communication skills because they spend large periods of time in front of the television, and some are even unable to walk because they are wheeled around in pushchairs.

A survey among 848 education staff working in state, independent and academy primaries in the UK found 71 per cent of staff working with three to five-year-olds had noticed an increase in the number of children suffering from incontinence.

The SEN Disability Act in 2011 and the Disability Discrimination Act in 2005, now the Equalities Act 2010, have led some schools to believe they can no longer refuse to take children who are not toilet trained.

Les Turner, NAHT Lancashire representative, said: “The ruling had a significant impact. Children aren’t as prepared for school as they used to be.

“Parents are under increasing pressure, but some of the problems are self-inflicted for short term gain. Children that sit in pushchairs all day are easier to restrain, but may not be able to walk by the time they start school.

“Someone needs to take responsibility for making sure the child is ready to learn, otherwise it’s just childcare.”

The research shows 62 per cent of primary school staff have noticed an increase in the number of children wetting or soiling themselves during the school day over the past five years, which increased to 71 per cent among those working with three to five-year-olds.

About four in 10 also stated their school had no written policy for dealing with childhood continence problems.

Simon Jones, NUT Lancashire representative and executive member, said: “There are concerns children are being pushed into starting school before they are physically and intellectually ready.”

Comments (11)

3:30pm Tue 5 Feb 13

Noiticer says...

A reflection of a significant group of parents within the population of NE Lancashire and many other old industrial towns who are from socially deprived and ill equipped backgrounds whose own parents were probably the same thus perpetuating a cycle. The answer to toilet training is simple - don't allow the child into a school until it is but as for language development - that is a difficult one to crack as the richness of one's language/vocabulary depends on that used in the home and that which one is exposed to over time amongst one's peers and the books/newspapers one reads - hence the difference between some of our politicians and the average person on the streets of NE Lancashire who didn't attend public school and Oxbridge.
A reflection of a significant group of parents within the population of NE Lancashire and many other old industrial towns who are from socially deprived and ill equipped backgrounds whose own parents were probably the same thus perpetuating a cycle. The answer to toilet training is simple - don't allow the child into a school until it is but as for language development - that is a difficult one to crack as the richness of one's language/vocabulary depends on that used in the home and that which one is exposed to over time amongst one's peers and the books/newspapers one reads - hence the difference between some of our politicians and the average person on the streets of NE Lancashire who didn't attend public school and Oxbridge. Noiticer

4:21pm Tue 5 Feb 13

jaffa90 says...

I`m old hat but my parents tought me about potty training and all our 3 children were out of nappies between 1 and2 years of age.It`s the parents responsibilities to bring up their children if their at home!
I`m old hat but my parents tought me about potty training and all our 3 children were out of nappies between 1 and2 years of age.It`s the parents responsibilities to bring up their children if their at home! jaffa90

4:38pm Tue 5 Feb 13

happycyclist says...

Jeez.
Jeez. happycyclist

6:09pm Tue 5 Feb 13

Wishingwell says...

Noiticer wrote:
A reflection of a significant group of parents within the population of NE Lancashire and many other old industrial towns who are from socially deprived and ill equipped backgrounds whose own parents were probably the same thus perpetuating a cycle. The answer to toilet training is simple - don't allow the child into a school until it is but as for language development - that is a difficult one to crack as the richness of one's language/vocabulary depends on that used in the home and that which one is exposed to over time amongst one's peers and the books/newspapers one reads - hence the difference between some of our politicians and the average person on the streets of NE Lancashire who didn't attend public school and Oxbridge.
I'm not sure Oxbridge makes one any more continent.
[quote][p][bold]Noiticer[/bold] wrote: A reflection of a significant group of parents within the population of NE Lancashire and many other old industrial towns who are from socially deprived and ill equipped backgrounds whose own parents were probably the same thus perpetuating a cycle. The answer to toilet training is simple - don't allow the child into a school until it is but as for language development - that is a difficult one to crack as the richness of one's language/vocabulary depends on that used in the home and that which one is exposed to over time amongst one's peers and the books/newspapers one reads - hence the difference between some of our politicians and the average person on the streets of NE Lancashire who didn't attend public school and Oxbridge.[/p][/quote]I'm not sure Oxbridge makes one any more continent. Wishingwell

6:54pm Tue 5 Feb 13

useyourhead says...

what do they mean 'can't walk' what a load of rubbish, I refuse to believe there are children aged five that can't walk, unless they are disabled or ill in some way of course.
-
they have been carrying a five yr old up and down to bed and everywhere else have they? Yes they may spend a lot of time in the prams but they can't have been solely restricted to it all their lives, if so someone needs to ring social services about them.
what do they mean 'can't walk' what a load of rubbish, I refuse to believe there are children aged five that can't walk, unless they are disabled or ill in some way of course. - they have been carrying a five yr old up and down to bed and everywhere else have they? Yes they may spend a lot of time in the prams but they can't have been solely restricted to it all their lives, if so someone needs to ring social services about them. useyourhead

8:54pm Tue 5 Feb 13

Good call says...

I'm not normally one for state intervention, but if a child starting school can't go to the toilet, the parents need prosecuting.
I'm not normally one for state intervention, but if a child starting school can't go to the toilet, the parents need prosecuting. Good call

9:54pm Tue 5 Feb 13

Fire Fly says...

If a parent can't be bothered toilet training their child...what else aren't they doing for them?
If a parent can't be bothered toilet training their child...what else aren't they doing for them? Fire Fly

10:01pm Tue 5 Feb 13

Rose Rouge says...

Don't forget that some children will barely have turned 4 when they start school, if born in the summer months.

Also, several of the other sweeping statements made by others in response to this article are clearly made by people who do not any experience of bringing up children, as children can and do vary significantly in their emotional and developmental progress at such an early age.
Don't forget that some children will barely have turned 4 when they start school, if born in the summer months. Also, several of the other sweeping statements made by others in response to this article are clearly made by people who do not any experience of bringing up children, as children can and do vary significantly in their emotional and developmental progress at such an early age. Rose Rouge

10:18pm Tue 5 Feb 13

Fire Fly says...

Rose Rouge wrote:
Don't forget that some children will barely have turned 4 when they start school, if born in the summer months.

Also, several of the other sweeping statements made by others in response to this article are clearly made by people who do not any experience of bringing up children, as children can and do vary significantly in their emotional and developmental progress at such an early age.
Even by 4, only a small percentage of children wont be toilet trained due to developmental progress issues.

Emotional issues are entirely down to how a child's raised & nurtured by his/her parents.

As for sweeping statements by people who have no experience of raising children...I think you're the making making the sweeping statement.

Perseverance, patience, a smile & some fun win the day with toilet training, things most of these parents have no idea about.
[quote][p][bold]Rose Rouge[/bold] wrote: Don't forget that some children will barely have turned 4 when they start school, if born in the summer months. Also, several of the other sweeping statements made by others in response to this article are clearly made by people who do not any experience of bringing up children, as children can and do vary significantly in their emotional and developmental progress at such an early age.[/p][/quote]Even by 4, only a small percentage of children wont be toilet trained due to developmental progress issues. Emotional issues are entirely down to how a child's raised & nurtured by his/her parents. As for sweeping statements by people who have no experience of raising children...I think you're the making making the sweeping statement. Perseverance, patience, a smile & some fun win the day with toilet training, things most of these parents have no idea about. Fire Fly

11:35pm Tue 5 Feb 13

jaffa90 says...

Fire Fly wrote:
Rose Rouge wrote: Don't forget that some children will barely have turned 4 when they start school, if born in the summer months. Also, several of the other sweeping statements made by others in response to this article are clearly made by people who do not any experience of bringing up children, as children can and do vary significantly in their emotional and developmental progress at such an early age.
Even by 4, only a small percentage of children wont be toilet trained due to developmental progress issues. Emotional issues are entirely down to how a child's raised & nurtured by his/her parents. As for sweeping statements by people who have no experience of raising children...I think you're the making making the sweeping statement. Perseverance, patience, a smile & some fun win the day with toilet training, things most of these parents have no idea about.
I agree with FireFly,i/we were told never to chastise/smack/shout at babies/infants,in fact the opposite when they let go.It really starts at night time (10pm no feed but wait for a wee) when you lift them out if their dry,also 6am for their first bottle.
[quote][p][bold]Fire Fly[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Rose Rouge[/bold] wrote: Don't forget that some children will barely have turned 4 when they start school, if born in the summer months. Also, several of the other sweeping statements made by others in response to this article are clearly made by people who do not any experience of bringing up children, as children can and do vary significantly in their emotional and developmental progress at such an early age.[/p][/quote]Even by 4, only a small percentage of children wont be toilet trained due to developmental progress issues. Emotional issues are entirely down to how a child's raised & nurtured by his/her parents. As for sweeping statements by people who have no experience of raising children...I think you're the making making the sweeping statement. Perseverance, patience, a smile & some fun win the day with toilet training, things most of these parents have no idea about.[/p][/quote]I agree with FireFly,i/we were told never to chastise/smack/shout at babies/infants,in fact the opposite when they let go.It really starts at night time (10pm no feed but wait for a wee) when you lift them out if their dry,also 6am for their first bottle. jaffa90

4:55am Wed 6 Feb 13

2 for 5p says...

Makes you wonder what sort of people there parents are.

Wonder if they work
Or if they claim unemployment

Can anyone shed any light on it
Makes you wonder what sort of people there parents are. Wonder if they work Or if they claim unemployment Can anyone shed any light on it 2 for 5p

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