Pre-school swimming lessons
We'll help you get started!
We'll help you get started!
We believe that every child should be given the opportunity to learn to swim. And there’s no better way than pre-school swimming with Places Leisure to start your child’s aquatic journey!
In this section:
What are the first steps in learning to swim?
Following the Swim England pre-school framework, our sessions teach the core swimming skills through fun and games. First experiences in the water should be positive, fun and memorable. During infant swim lessons, our qualified instructors will guide you and your child through each and every step, or splash, with positive encouragement as well as motivational certificates and badges to collect along the way.
What are the benefits of learning to swim in early years?
Starting swimming lessons from a young age has a whole range of benefits for your little one but also for you...
Teaches water confidence
Pre-school lessons help children develop their very first water safety skills and techniques, such as floating, which lay a great foundation for enjoying the water safely and confidently as they continue learning.
"This is something that children will carry with them all throughout life. The earlier they gain confidence in the water, the safer and less fearful they will be around water in the future. Learning to swim opens a new world of opportunities for water-related activities too, such as canoeing and scuba-diving!" explains Ali Lamport, Area Swim Development Manager.
Creates bonding opportunities
We believe that first experiences in the water should be positive, encouraging and memorable, which makes swimming a great activity for families to bond with one another. That’s why we offer lessons where parents/carers can join their little ones in the pool!
Supports development
Swimming and sensory play in the water helps encourage independent movements including reaching, splashing and kicking and also helps with hand-eye coordination in young children. The range of physical movements and activities available in the pool also helps little ones to boost their strength, stamina and endurance!
Benefit from free swimming!
After your little one is signed up to our swimming lessons, they can also take part in swimming sessions outside of lesson time – at no extra cost. It’s a great way for them to master what they’re learning in lessons and for parents/carers to cheer them on.
When to start infant swimming lessons?
The sooner you introduce your child to the water, the better. Babies as young as three months of age can learn to swim, owing to their strong reflexes and natural affinity to water. At Places Leisure, we offer a choice of pre-school swimming classes depending on how old your child is.
Starting swimming lessons early gives your child the chance to develop a lifelong love of the water and grasp the basics of water safety sooner rather than later.
Which swim lessons should we attend?
Adult and baby lessons – suitable for ages 3 to 18 months
Nurture a love of water with your baby from the very beginning in a positive, fun environment. Parents or carers attend with their babies and join them in the water, providing reassurance and confidence.
Adult and child lessons – suitable for ages 18 months to 3 years
Our adult and child lessons give toddlers confidence in the water from an early age while learning core skills through fun and games. Parents or carers join their toddler in the water providing support and encouragement.
Preschool Ducklings – suitable for ages 3 to 4 years
These classes are aimed at children who are old enough to follow instructions and can move on their own. Our Preschool Ducklings learn to float, roll over, blow bubbles, swim, and enter and exit the pool safely.
What do the swim teachers say?
Gabi Oake, a Swimming Teacher at The Pavilions in The Park and Billingshurst Leisure Centre says:
“Pre-school swimming lessons are a delight to teach. Being part of their initial journey is very rewarding and a joy to watch.
“Starting swimming from a young age is vitally important in teaching basic water survival skills but it’s so much more than that. In our parent and baby/child lessons you can see the bond developing between them as well as watching the child’s confidence grow as they learn to go underwater, kick and splash around.
“As the children progress, it’s great to see them becoming stronger and moving around the water independently.
“I love to see the smile on their faces when I give out badges and certificates, it never gets old!”
Skill for life
Swimming lessons for preschool children are a way to nurture a love of water with your little one in a positive, fun environment. As your child learns to swim they are not only developing water confidence from a very early age, but they are also gaining a skill for life that will enable them to keep themselves and others safe wherever they go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join swimming lessons?
At Places Leisure, we believe everyone should learn to swim at any age.
In terms of pre-school swimming, we offer lessons across three age groups, which parents/carers are to welcome to join with their child. They include Adult and Baby lessons (for 3 to 18 months), Adult and Child lessons (for 18 months to 3 years) and Preschool Ducklings (for ages 3 to 4).
Read more about getting started with children’s swimming lessons.
What are the benefits of infant swimming lessons?
Infant swimming lessons encourage a lifelong enjoyment of water as well as develop water confidence and an understanding of water safety from a very early age.
Infants who learn to swim can benefit from improved balance and coordination, enhanced cognitive development and even increased self-esteem.
Discover other pre-school activities to keep your child happy and healthy.
Do I get in the pool with my child?
Absolutely! At Places Leisure, during our adult and baby/child lessons, we encourage you to get into the pool with your child. Joining them in this way – besides being enjoyable – provides your child with much-needed reassurance and confidence. It’s also a great way to strengthen the bond you have with them, by sharing this fun, formative experience.
By the time they progress to our Preschool Ducklings class, your child will then be confident enough to swim alone with the other children in attendance.