A council has told parents they must come in and change their children if bringing them to school in a nappy. The new policy, set out in a letter to parents, is due to be enforced in schools across Blaenau Gwent, south-east Wales, from January 2025 for pupils in reception and nursery classes.
The decision was made due to the “high number” of children attending in nappies or pull-ups, causing disruption to learning with staff taking time away from the classroom to change them. Exceptions will only be given if a child has a medical need to wear a nappy, and must be accompanied by a hospital letter.
However, the rule has already been criticised as “discriminatory” and “unfair” by one father, who said many young children start school without being potty-trained, despite the best efforts of parents. He believes the council’s demands are unrealistic, and classes would be interrupted by large numbers of parents coming in to change nappies.
The parent, who did not want to be named, wrote to the council’s Director of Education, the author of the letter to complain. He added he and his wife, a teacher, were contemplating delaying their three-year-old’s start date at a school nursery in Blaenau Gwent, saying although he was going through toilet training, he still had occasional accidents.
He said: “It is obviously a parent’s responsibility to potty train but my view, if you look at the literature, is that children hit their milestones at different ages… we are still undecided whether to send our son to school nursery next term now.”
The letter from Dr Luisa Munro-Morris, Director of Education at Blaenau Gwent, begins: “From 1st January 2025, if a child is attending nursery/school in a nappy or pull ups, parents will be expected to come in and change their child. The only exception to this policy will be for children who are in nappies/pull ups due to a medical need, which must be accompanied by a letter from a consultant.
“The reason for this policy change is due to the high number of children in our nursery and reception classes who require changes. This situation has led to our staff spending a significant amount of time changing children, which is adversely impacting teaching and learning.”
WalesOnline reports representatives from relevant educational bodies have responded with statements on the new rule.
Laura Doel, NAHT Cymru National Secretary, welcomed the change: “We have had some school leaders reporting that an increasing number of children in school are not always hitting those key milestones before they arrive, including their self-care needs. School leaders therefore welcomed Blaenau Gwent’s decision to intervene on this issue and we are working closely with the Local Authority to help ensure all children get the support they need.
“Of course, where children have additional needs, it is vital they and their families are provided with extra support they need from the appropriate agencies.”
Claire Armitstead, Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, said: “It is the case that young children sometimes do arrive at school without being potty-trained. There is anecdotal evidence that this issue has increased in recent years, and this is obviously a challenging situation.
“ASCL Cymru would ask that greater support is given to families and children not only to support potty training but also the wider problems families are facing.
“While we cannot comment on circumstances at individual schools, it is the case that young children sometimes arrive at school without being potty-trained, and this is obviously a very challenging situation.
“It may be that such developmental delays are part of wider problems where families are struggling to cope, and there is anecdotal evidence that this is an issue which has increased in recent years. We do need there to be a greater focus on putting into place more support for families and young children.”
Blaenau Gwent was asked about the impact of the new policy on parents, and issued a statement in response, which read: “It is a parent/carer’s responsibility to ensure their child is toilet trained. However based on data collection from schools on their experience of very high levels of pupils coming to school in nappies we have introduced this policy.
“The policy states that parents will be expected to go to school to change their child’s nappies/pull ups. The policy does not apply where there is a recognised medical need and appropriate evidence of this has been provided. Schools will continue to look to support parents/carers in relation to toilet training issues, and can signpost to help and advice.”
The full letter detailing the changes from next term read:
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Re: Nappy/pull up changing in school
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you about an important policy change that will be implemented across Blaenau Gwent schools from 1st January 2025. From 1st January 2025, if a child is attending nursery/school in a nappy or pull ups, parents will be expected to come in and change their child. The only exception to this policy will be for children who are in nappies/pull ups due to a medical need, which must be accompanied by a letter from a consultant. This letter will need to be shared with the school.
The reason for this policy change is due to the high number of children in our nursery and reception classes who require changes. This situation has led to our staff spending a significant amount of time changing children, which is adversely impacting teaching and learning. By implementing this policy, we aim to ensure that our staff can focus on educational activities and provide a better learning experience for all our children.
We understand that this change may require some adjustments, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding. For support with toilet training please see How to potty train – NHS and www.eric.org.uk (Eric The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity, free helpline 08081699949).
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Luisa Munro-Morris
Blaenau Gwent Director of Education
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