Potty Training

My overall experience with potty training is that the child will do it when they are ready. My general philosophy is this: I will not force a child to sit on the potty, and I will not take them to the potty on a “schedule”.   It is very difficult to be on a schedule with a possibility of there being 8 kids at daycare.  This is training me, not the child.  First they need to be able to verbalize (“potty”, or “go bathroom”, at least) have to understand the difference between wet/dry/dirty/clean diapers, and also be able to pull their pants down, if not up as well. If a parent feels their child is “ready”, I will work with them, but if after some time there is no progress, I will back off the training and suggest that the parent do the same. It is not worth having a child become constipated or so “backed-up”.  Potty training is a step towards being independent.  My reason is that daycare is run out of my home and I watch children of all ages.  My husband and I just recently built a new home with a walk out basement dedicated to daycare.  We have new carpet in my basement where the kids can play.  I feel it is unhealthy to have children having accidents on my carpet, furniture and where other children play.  It is very unsanitary.  I am understanding to a child having accidents once they are potty trained and that is okay.  I have totes for every single child in care so extra clothing that is left at daycare is a must.  The key is open communication with the parents and working together towards the same goal.