Pre-school swimming

Adult with baby and toddler lessons 

Thank you for learning to swim with us - we’re proud to work with Swim England (National Governing Body for Aquatics) and all of our sites use the Swim England Learn to Swim Pre-School Framework.

Learning to swim is a great experience for everyone and through increased knowledge you and/or your children will not only learn a lifesaving skill but also be able to enjoy an activity throughout childhood and into adult life that will be invaluable in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Our lessons focus on the fundamentals of swimming and we promote quality not quantity and we recognise that every child is an individual and may progress at different speeds. Awards are available at different points throughout the programme and you will be informed by the site when your child has achieved each one.

All of our teachers are fully qualified.

If you choose not to attend your lesson due to any reason (including illness); your payment will remain the same and you will not be refunded for the missed lesson.

Swim England Awards Scheme

Our lessons use the Swim England Awards Scheme. Please Click here for more information.

What to wear?
We all do our best to avoid embarrassing leaks in the pool by encouraging toilet use before lessons and using a swim nappy. However, a disposable swim nappy doesn’t always do the job! That’s why we highly recommend a ‘double up’ approach with a neoprene nappy used over the top of your disposable nappy. This combination really helps to avoid leaks, which in turn helps to prevent the spread of all sorts of bugs – keeping the pool clean and safe for everyone.  

Zoggs Swimsure nappies are available from reception in 6 different sizes. Please remember, the neoprene nappy must form a good seal around little tummies and thighs, so this really isn’t the time to buy two sizes up and ‘let them grow into it’! We also stock Huggies little swimmers for use underneath the neoprene nappy (please don’t use an ordinary disposable nappy, as it will just do its job and soak up vast amounts of water meaning your poor baby will weigh a ton!)

Children should wear practical swimming costumes (for girls) or non-baggy shorts (for boys). When purchasing swimwear for lessons, please consider the practicalities of swimming – costumes should not restrict movement in any way or cause additional drag in the water. We have a great range of children’s swimwear available in reception from Zoggs, designed with swimming in mind. 

Emergency
Should the alarm sound during the lessons, please remain calm as our staff are trained to deal with such emergencies. The teachers will ensure the safety of the children in their class and will carry out the appropriate evacuation. In the event of a fire alarm, all spectators will need to evacuate by the nearest fire exit where you will be reunited with your child at the assembly point.

Under 8’s Policy
We operate a policy whereby every child under the age of 8 must be supervised by a parent or adult (ages 16+) at all times. The ratio of adults to children under 8 when in the water varies so please contact reception to confirm.

On-line access to monitor your child’s performance and enable you to move them on completion of each stage/level.

Once you have enrolled onto lessons:

1. Click here where you will need to follow the steps for first time registration; you will need to have at hand YOUR (parent/guardian) membership number, date of birth and postcode.
2. Once registered you will be able to clearly track your child’s progress against key competencies and choose suitable days and times as they progress through stages and into new classes. 

Before the lesson...
Ideally your child shouldn’t have eaten in the half hour prior to the lesson. If you’re collecting your child from nursery or pre-school and they require a snack before the lesson then we recommend a biscuit or half a banana.

On arrival
Ensure you arrive in good time for your lesson, recent feedback from parents said they would recommend a good 10 minutes to get children ready and on poolside on time. Ensure you don’t leave any of your clothes or bags in the changing rooms and use the lockers provided.

Poolside
Please take your child, once they are ready for their lesson, to the signposted ‘Drop off point’ area just before the start time. From here their teacher will collect them and take the register. Once your child is with the teacher continue to watch the lesson in the designated viewing areas. Please ensure your child has visited the toilet prior to getting into the pool.

During the lesson
Parents/guardians are requested to remain in the viewing areas throughout the duration of the lesson. Why not grab a coffee beforehand, unless of course you are in the pool yourself!  Whilst watching your child please ensure any young children are kept a safe distance away from the pool and under your constant supervision.

Continuous assessment
During the lesson the teacher uses the latest technology to update your child’s progress throughout the lesson against the key competencies for their level e.g. Travel on the back for 5 metres, aids or equipment may be used.

End of the lesson
Please be ready at the signposted ‘pick up point’ at the end of the lesson where the teacher will bring your child to once the lesson has finished.

 

Free swimming

Did you know? Free swimming is available for all children on swimming lessons so that they can come swimming with you at other times to develop their confidence.