What do I need to bring with me to the swimming pool?

• If your child is not yet fully toilet trained, they must wear a swim nappy. A neoprene swim nappy needs to be snug around the legs and waist to do its job properly (but not too tight!).
• If your child is fully toilet trained, cropped lycra shorts for boys (as Bermuda style shorts cause drag) and one-piece swim suits for girls, are recommended.
• A neoprene baby wrap, baby wetsuit or thermal top is recommended if your child is likely to get cold in the water.
• At least one towel or hooded towel for your child. These can be taken to the poolside.
• Some milk for your baby or a healthy snack for your toddler/child (for health and safety reasons we cannot allow food on the poolside).
• If needed, a wipeable changing mat, that can be placed in the changing room for you to change your baby on.
• Your own swimwear and towel, as you will be going in the pool with your child.

What should I do if my child is ill?

• If your child has a chest, ear or eye infection they shouldn’t swim until it has completely cleared.
• Please don’t bring your child to the pool until they have been well for 2 weeks, after suffering from diarrhoea or a sickness bug.
• Going swimming is unlikely to worsen a mild cold and will not increase the likelihood of an ear infection unless your baby has a perforated eardrum.
• Please do not bring your child to a swimming class with anything that could be infectious, such as chickenpox, which is considered infectious until all the blisters have dried up.
• It’s worth remembering that children are often exhausted after an illness and need some time to recuperate before returning to their swimming lessons.
• Unfortunately, we can't offer a refund.

What are the benefits of swimming lessons with your baby/child?

Physical Benefits

Benefits for You: Classes are great for strengthening your core stability and they help the increase in muscle tone and the loss of calories and body fat. Benefits for Your Baby/child: Swimming can help develop strength and coordination. It aids in baby’s early development, such as early walking. Associated motor skills are also improved through regular exercise.

Emotional Benefits

Benefits for You: The classes give you precious bonding time with your baby. Exercise releases endorphins, which leads to better moods and increased self-esteem. Swimming can also relieve stress through developing your heartbeat and fitness levels. Benefits for Your Baby: Starting to swim at an early age familiarises children with water and gives them confidence. It is a natural environment for babies, in which they feel safe and secure.

Social Benefits

Benefits for You: Classes provide an opportunity to meet new parents in a friendly and relaxed environment. Benefits for Your Baby/child: During the class, babies/children interact with others in a fun and happy social environment.

Intelligence Benefits

Weekly classes maintain your baby’s development and the water provides a great sensory environment for your baby/child. Swimming classes are structured to ensure babies are constantly and continuously stimulated. The songs and games are really effective ways to communicate with your baby, promoting learning through repetition, rhyme and movement.

Language Benefits

Language development can be improved through swimming. Babies are constantly interacting with you and other babies and children throughout the classes. The teacher also provides a verbal stimulus.