Update: Little guy came back this past Tuesday (in pullups at daycare) and I’m happy to say he does have control over his pees on the potty during our washroom breaks, and stays dry until our break times. However, he does not tell me he has to go and I do have to help with his pants more than I normally would (the older kids just need help pulling everything straight so the pants aren’t off to the side) . I need to lift him to reach the faucet – there isn’t a footstool high enough…. He is wearing comfy pants now, so it’s all quick and he is trying so hard to help with his clothes. … When he’s done, he gives me a high-5 and looks very happy. No, the bms aren’t going in potty at daycare or at home. He doesn’t get that at all yet.

I’m going to continue to build with this child, however, to protect myself in future, I will be adding to my policies my definition of potty trained - i.e. child being able to tell me when they have to go and being able to handle their clothing. I got lucky in this case that the boy is easy-going, very light, and quite willing, and the parents haven't pressured me on how to be at daycare with him. I’ve also noticed the other kids in my daycare are pleasantly surprised that he is able to do what he can now.
Although his parents are positive people, I did sense a bit of disappointment from them in discussing his progress the day he came back ….I don’t understand how they could expect him to somehow understand the whole process in a week. I told them it’s quite normal for children to not be fully trained by age 2 and there’s a whole range of ages when it happens…. They don’t acknowledge that fact when I say it. I feel like there’s an elephant in the room when we talk about this little guy and I want to say ‘have you noticed that he is quite delayed in development?’ but I don’t…. They must know it, but perhaps are in a bit of denial. I hear mom telling him ‘you’re a big boy now’…. I imagine when at public play centers, the usual questions come up - how old is your baby, when did they start walking... blah blah… all the comparison questions. So at least now they can say he goes on the potty already.