More children 'not toilet trained' by school age

Rising numbers of children are starting school without having been toilet trained, a survey suggests.

Almost two-thirds of primary school teachers say they have seen an increase in children having "accidents" over the past five years. This figure rose to 71 per cent among three- to five-year-olds.

This figure rose to 71% among teachers working with three to five-year-olds.

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) which conducted the poll, said the increase in pupils without toilet training is putting extra pressure on school staff.

ATL's survey of 848 primary school staff in the UK, carried out in partnership with the Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence (ERIC), found that 62% say they have seen a rise in the numbers of youngsters wetting or soiling themselves during the school day.

Those questioned suggested that the main reason for the rise was parents failing to toilet train their children before they start school.

PA