Training pants work best at daycare when they match how the staff handle changes. Ask about their routine first, choose pull-on pants that are quick to put on and take off, and pack more spares than you think you need. If you have concerns about how toileting is going, your child's doctor or nurse is the person to ask.
Talk to the staff about their routine
A short conversation saves weeks of guessing. Ask:
- How often are children offered the toilet, and who helps?
- Do they change children standing up or lying down?
- Do they accept cloth training pants, or only disposable ones?
- Where do wet and soiled clothes go, and what do they want them sent home in?
- What do they use at nap time?
- What words do they use for the toilet and for wet or dry pants?
Write the answers down. They decide almost everything that follows.
Pull-on pants with side openings and why they help
Pull-on training pants let your child pull them up and down, which suits a group setting where staff are helping many children at once. Some styles have sides that open or tear, so a wet or soiled pair can come off without being pulled down over shoes and legs. Check the pack description for side openings if that matters to you.
Pair them with clothing that is easy to manage: elastic waists rather than belts, buttons or overalls, and no tights. One option is the Pull-Ups Girls' Training Pants, 3T–4T, 112 Count, and our training pants include other styles and sizes. The product page or the pack shows how the sides are made and which weight range each size covers.
Disposable vs cloth training pants in a daycare setting
- Disposable: Staff can bag and bin them, and there is nothing to launder. You keep buying packs, and a large pack covers many care days.
- Cloth: You wash them at home, so you need more pairs and a reliable way to send soiled ones back. Some centres do not handle cloth, so ask before you buy.
Some families pair cloth training pants or underwear with a waterproof cover. One option is the Joyo Roy Waterproof Covers for Potty Training Underwear, Boys, 3T, 4 Pack. Ask staff whether they are comfortable with a cover before you send one.
Some families use cloth at home and disposable at daycare. Whatever you decide, tell the staff, and keep what you send simple enough for them to manage in a busy room.
How many pairs and spare outfits to send
Think about the day in blocks: arrival, morning, lunch, nap and afternoon. A child who is learning may need more changes than usual, so plan for that. As a starting point, send enough training pants for each change you expect plus two or three extra, and at least two full spare outfits, each with a top, bottoms, socks and underwear. A leak can reach socks and shoes, so a spare pair of indoor shoes or slippers helps if you have one. Put your child's name inside every piece, because spare clothes look alike once they are in a shared room.
Replace what comes home each evening, and check the cubby on Fridays so you start the week fully stocked.
Nap time: what to send for sleep
Ask what staff expect at nap. Some children nap in the same pants they wear all day, and some use a product made for longer stretches. Ask whether the cots or mats have a cover, and whether the centre washes the bedding. Send whatever they ask for, and pack one extra spare outfit on days with a long nap. If your child wears something different for sleep, send it in its own labelled bag so staff can find it at nap time.
Wet bags and getting clothes home
A zipped wet bag keeps damp or soiled clothes away from everything else in the bag. Send one with your child's name on it, and ask staff to put the day's wet items in it.
- Empty the bag as soon as you get home.
- Wash the contents and the bag according to the care labels.
- Keep a second bag so there is always a clean one ready.
A set such as the ALVABABY Wet Dry Bags with Two Zippered Pockets, Dinosaur & Fish, 2 Pack gives you one in use and one in the wash. More are in our cloth diaper accessories.
Shop this guide
- BIG ELEPHANT Toddler Potty Training Underwear, 100% Cotton (ships via Amazon)
- Zoocchini Toddler Potty Training Pants, 3 Pack, Organic Cotton, Sea Crew, 3T-4T (ships via Amazon)
- 3-in-1 Toddler Potty & Step Stool, Portable, TPE, Easy-Clean, Splash Guard, Anti-Slip (ships via Amazon)
- Bumkins Waterproof Wet/Dry Bag with Zipper, Black Check (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Training Pants
- See all: Reusable Training Pants
- See all: Potty Training
- See all: Cloth Diaper Accessories
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Keeping home and daycare consistent
It helps when the adults at home and at daycare say the same things and use the same kind of pants. A few small steps:
- Use the same words for the toilet at home as the staff use.
- Tell staff what you are doing at home, such as whether your child wears training pants on weekends.
- Share news both ways, from a dry day to a rough one.
- Keep clothes easy at both places so nobody is fighting a zipper.
If you notice a sudden change in your child's toileting, pain, or anything that worries you, ask your child's doctor or nurse.
Common questions
What about snowsuits and outdoor play in winter?
Winter gear adds time to every toilet trip. Ask staff whether children are offered the toilet before they dress to go outside. If you have the choice, a two-piece snowsuit is quicker to pull down than a one-piece.
Should my child wear training pants or underwear at daycare?
That depends on your child and on the centre. Talk to the staff and follow the plan you agree on together.
What if the daycare does not accept cloth?
Ask whether a sealed bag would work. If not, use disposable pants on care days and cloth at home.
How do I pick a size?
Check your child's current weight against the range printed on the pack, since labels vary between brands. If your child sits between two sizes, ask us before you order a large pack.
If you would like help choosing training pants or wet bags for daycare, use our contact page. We reply within one business day.