We recently switched our 3-year-old to a new daycare after moving to a different neighborhood. He was doing pretty well with potty training at the old place - mostly dry during the day and even using the toilet a few times at home. But since starting at the new daycare two weeks ago, he’s regressed and is having frequent accidents. He seems stressed and less confident, and the new teachers say he’s hesitant to use their bathrooms. We’re trying to keep consistent routines and praise him for any progress, but it feels like we’ve lost the ground we gained. I’m worried about pushing too hard and making him more anxious. We’ve talked with the daycare staff about ways to support him, but I’m not sure what else to try at home or how to help him feel more comfortable there. Has anyone dealt with potty training setbacks after a big change like daycare or preschool? What helped your child regain confidence? Are there small routines or comfort objects that worked to ease the transition for your toddler?

It’s so tough when a big change like a new daycare shakes up progress, especially with something as sensitive as potty training. My little one had a similar setback after switching preschools, and what really helped was bringing a small comfort item from home - a favorite little towel - to the daycare bathroom. It gave her a tiny piece of familiarity in a new space and seemed to ease some of that hesitation.

Also, maybe ask the teachers if your son can get a quick tour or some one-on-one time with the bathroom when it’s quiet. Sometimes just knowing the space better helps kids feel less overwhelmed. You’re doing great by keeping routines consistent and praising progress - sometimes it just takes a bit of time for confidence to rebuild after a big change like this.

On 02/15/2026 at 4:10 AM, td323 said:

We recently switched our 3-year-old to a new daycare after moving to a different neighborhood. He was doing pretty well with potty training at the old place - mostly dry during the day and even using the toilet a few times at home. But since starting at the new daycare two weeks ago, he’s regressed and is having frequent accidents. He seems stressed and less confident, and the new teachers say he’s hesitant to use their bathrooms. We’re trying to keep consistent routines and praise him for any progress, but it feels like we’ve lost the ground we gained. I’m worried about pushing too hard and making him more anxious. We’ve talked with the daycare staff about ways to support him, but I’m not sure what else to try at home or how to help him feel more comfortable there. Has anyone dealt with potty training setbacks after a big change like daycare or preschool? What helped your child regain confidence? Are there small routines or comfort objects that worked to ease the transition for your toddler?

That hesitation to use the new daycare’s bathroom sounds like a big clue. When my kid switched preschools, the unfamiliar bathroom setup threw him off too - he preferred the potty chair at home. Maybe you could ask the daycare if he can have a familiar potty seat or a little step stool brought from home? Sometimes having a small, known object can make the space feel less intimidating.

Also, since you mentioned he seems stressed, it might help to build a little ritual around potty time at home - something calming and predictable, like a special book or song he only gets during bathroom breaks. That way, he can associate potty time with comfort rather than pressure. It’s great you’re keeping praise in the mix; gentle encouragement really goes a long way when confidence is shaky.