Potty training chart
When to start and how to prepare? A roadmap by age, a daily routine and a printable reward chart.
A good time to start
You are in the 18 months to 2 and a half window recommended by the NHS. According to the NHS you do not need to wait for your child to show signs before you start; the AAP's list of signs can still be a helpful guide.
Signs your child may be ready (AAP)
0/7Not required — the NHS recommends starting without waiting for signs. It helps you get to know your child.
Preparation steps (NHS)
0/7You don't have to do everything at once; small everyday steps.
Daily toilet routine (NHS)
Your child may not always tell you; encourage them to go at these moments.
- When they get up
- After eating
- Before leaving the house
- Before naps
- Whenever you pass a toilet when out
- Before bed
Check for constipation first
According to the NHS, your child should be doing soft poos at least every other day. If poos are hard, dry or like small pebbles, or your child is straining, they may be constipated; talk to your GP or health visitor before stopping nappies.
Staying dry at night
According to the NHS, most children learn to stay dry at night after they are dry during the day; this happens naturally over time and is not something you need to teach. You can keep using nappies for naps and at night during daytime training.
Reward chart
The NHS recommends praising efforts and using a reward chart. A star for every success; accidents are part of learning.
Information from the NHS potty training guide and the AAP's HealthyChildren page: NHS · AAP
This tool is for information only. It is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a medical examination.
About this tool
What does this tool do?
It shows when and how to start potty training for your child's age, brings the preparation steps and a daily toilet routine together, and gives you a reward chart. The information comes from two sources: the NHS in England and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). When signed in you can record each success and each accident with one tap and see the last seven days on the chart; entries also appear in the tracker in your parent dashboard. You can print the chart and put it on the fridge.
How do I use it?
Choose your child's age; when signed in it comes from the date of birth in their profile. The age card tells you which stage you are in. If you like, tick the AAP's list of signs and the NHS's preparation list to see where you are. Once you start, encourage your child to use the potty at the daily routine moments; tap “Used the potty” for each success and “Accident” for each accident.
How should I read the result?
The age card is a roadmap, not a test. According to the NHS, almost all children can be potty trained between 18 months and 2 and a half, and you do not need to wait for signs before starting. According to the AAP, signs of bladder and bowel control usually appear between 18 and 24 months; in the United States training begins on average between 2 and 3 years, and most children are trained by 4. The number on the list of signs is not a score; it helps you get to know your child. On the chart, stars show successes and drops show accidents; accidents are a normal part of learning.
Limits of this tool
The tool does not diagnose anything and is not a readiness test. Organisations take different approaches: the NHS recommends starting without waiting for signs, while the AAP treats signs as a guide; the tool shows both with their sources. If your child strains, has hard poos or pain, is struggling a lot to learn, or has additional needs, talk to your doctor or health visitor.
