Frequently Asked Questions, Hints & Tips

You can begin with your baby as early as you are comfortable. We have some babies in the water at less than a month old. Many babies begin their first course between 2 and 6 months old and we find there is a great benefit to starting under 12 months old. We are able to book children onto our first course up to the age of 18 months.

We also have specific toddler classes for children 18 months – 3 years old. These classes use songs, repetition and fun games to introduce older toddlers to the water. Once confident in the pool toddlers are moved over into a suitable mainstream class. The warm water, toys and familiar songs help this age group adjust to the water.

Please complete the enquiry form which places you straight onto our system to keep you up to date with our course information and term dates. You can also click the WhatsApp link or call us on 01619731931

Once we have found the best pool and day that suits your requirements we can process the term fees via Stripe either over the phone or via a link. This secures your place.

Aqua Babies trains and employs qualified baby and pre-school swim teachers.

All our teachers hold up to date and relevant STA Baby and Preschool qualifications as a minimum. We also train our teachers for a further 3-6 months and place them under a mentor’s wing for 12 months.

Each teacher holds a recognised life-saving first aid qualification. RLSS NRASTC or equivalent. We also train twice a year with an RLSS tutor to ensure these skills are never forgotten.

In addition to this the whole Aqua Babies team are enhanced DBS checked.

Each teacher is both insured via their STA membership and Aqua Babies holds club insurance through Swimsure.

STA – Swim teachers association.

RLSS NRASTC – Royal Life Saving Society, National Rescue Award for Swim Teachers and Coaches.

Aqua Babies follows government health guidelines which state: ‘The Department of Health recommends that you can take your baby swimming from a very young age. There is no need to wait until they have been vaccinated’

That said we advise parents to start as soon as you are comfortable. If you prefer to wait please let us know the earliest date you would like to book a course and we will contact you as soon as that course is released.

Each term is 9-10 weeks long with breaks for school holidays. We find termly swimming works really well for children and parents. You will begin together, progress and support each other, cheer on your achievements each week and become quite a team!

Babies wear double protection swim wear to keep the pools clear of any nappy leaks

The under nappy is a cloth liner nappy with poppers. This comes in 0-12 months and 1-3yrs as the poppers make the size very adjustable. This can be washed each week for re-use.

The outer nappy is a Splash About Happy Nappy. This swim nappy has a tight seal around baby’s legs and has been specially designed for baby swim schools. To work it must be a good fit. You can purchase your nappies from us before your first class and this way we will fit them for you to ensure they are snug and work well! They come in many patterns and designs.  Our pools are very warm and so no further swim wear such as warm water wraps are needed.

We are phasing out the use of disposable swim nappies as liners.

Aqua Babies continues to require this nappy system throughout all our courses where parents are in the pool (up to and including our Swim School level) regardless of age or potty training. Experience has shown us that potty trained children can get distracted at class, resulting in pool closure! They are busy, happy and occasionally forget. We do also stock Jammers for children aged 3 and over if preferred.

We carefully chose our pools based on the suitability of the pool and its temperature.

The Aqua Babies Centre has changing stations in all changing areas (13 in total!) as well as play pens, showers and lockers.

Other pools have a variety of changing areas available. All have Male and Female areas with benches or beds available. Where possible we provide play pens and mats.

Changing rooms are shoe free zones as this helps keep dirty from transferring into the pool.

Changing rooms are food free zones, including snacks and raisins. Many pools have areas for feeding or snacking after class. We like to keep the changing areas clean and crumb free.

The specific set up for each pool can be found on the pools pages

No! All our pools are in depth with water coming to about chest height for an average woman (1.2m)

If you are very nervous in water please let us know when booking so we can ensure you get all the support you need from your teacher.

We have many parents attending as they do not wish their children to be as nervous in water as they are. Our classes are a great way to build your own confidence should you wish to.

It is advisable to feed an hour or so before class, however babies who are breast or bottle fed can have a small feed at any time.

We advise toddlers and pre school children not to eat within 2 hours of class. Our older children work hard in the water and a full tummy can result in them feeling uncomfortable or being sick in the pool.

It is not advisable to bring your baby swimming with anything more than a mild cold.

Swimming should not make a mild cold worse nor will swimming cause a cold. We advise you wrap up warm after class and pop on a hat.

Swimming does not usually cause inner ear infections, however if your baby has an ear infection please do not swim until it has cleared up as submersions might be uncomfortable. Should your toddler have repetitive ear infections you can purchase ear putty and bandits to enable you to continue swimming. Always take the advice of your GP or consultant.

Babies or adults experiencing sickness and/or diarrhoea must not swim for two weeks to ensure it has completely cleared and does not spread to other babies. Some infections (such as cryptosporidium) are easily spread in changing rooms and are resistant to chlorine. As symptoms can come and go over a period of time, it is essential you refrain from swimming for this period of time.

If your child has any other infection such as chicken pox please follow standard isolation periods and ask your GP for further advice if needed.

If your child has eczema or other skin condition you can still swim as long as the condition is comfortable after swimming. Pools with UV systems (such as The Aqua Babies Centre, The Birches School and Bridge College) have lower chemical loads in the water. Again please take advice from your consultant or GP prior to booking a course.

Although we are unable to refund class fees due to illness we do have a catch-up class system whereby you can attend an extra class once better (terms and conditions apply).