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Written question asked by Baroness Freeman of Steventon (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 28 January 2026. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 2 February 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.


Pupils: Sanitation

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are giving to nursery providers to help to support children to stop using nappies at an appropriate age.

Answer

The department is committed to giving every child the best start in life, and we are investing in Best Start Family Hubs across the country. These will offer parenting and home learning environment support and are well placed to provide parents toilet training advice.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards and requirements that early years providers must meet to ensure that children have the best start in life and are kept healthy and safe.

Within the EYFS, children’s personal, social and emotional development is a prime area of learning. Children are expected to learn how to manage personal needs independently, including going to the toilet.

The department has published toilet training guidance, which can be accessed here: https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/toilet-training. This will help educators to support babies and young children with toilet training in early years settings and signposts the Potty Training Guide. The department will continue to promote this guidance through its online platforms and engagement with the sector. Parents can access the Potty Training Guide from the Best Start in Life website at: https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL13583
Session
2024-26
Related items
Giving every child the best start in life
Monday, 7 July 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Pupils Nurseries Nappies Sanitation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk