Baby and parent swimming lessons

Are you wondering when you can start taking your baby to swimming lessons? Our children and baby swimming lessons span from 3 months to school age. Our swim programme (called SWIMBiES) is the perfect way to help your child build confidence in the water that lasts a lifetime.

As a parent, grandparent or guardian, we encourage you to join your little one in the pool to share their first splashes. Our baby and infant swimming lessons are led by experienced and qualified swim teachers who will guide you and your little one every step of the way.

Better is the largest provider of newborn swimming lessons across the UK, so you should be able to easily find a swimming class near you. For older kids, check out the rest of our children’s swimming programmes on offer.

Find your local centre to book a lesson or course:

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Benefits of parent and baby swim classes

Babies have a natural affinity with the water. This is why we have developed swimming lessons that are fun, safe and interactive and help them enjoy time in the pool.

Our swimming classes have a strong emphasis on your child’s enjoyment, aiming to help you:

  • Build your child’s water confidence.
  • Bond with your little one through activity.
  • Develop your child’s coordination, muscle strength and motor skills.
  • Understand safety procedures to ensure you and your baby are protected.
  • Play games and sing songs to help your child learn.

To us, a child's emotional development is as important as their physical development in the water. This is why our programme features plenty of bonding time as well as developing eight essential Baby & Toddler swimming skills:

Swimming confidence

Our parent and toddler swimming programme

Thousands of pupils enjoy our swim programme each week. Have a look at our classes in more detail below:

Dippers (3 to 12 months)

Dippers are our parent and baby swimming classes that give you time to bond in the water while we teach the basics. Entry at three months to cruising (approx. 12-18 months).

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baby learning to swim

Splashers (13 months to 2 years)

Splashers infant swimming sessions are a great way to grow your child's water confidence with you right beside them. Entry after completing Dippers or children walking (approx. 12 to 18 months) to two years.

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toddler learning to swim

Paddlers (2 to 4 years)

Paddlers swim lessons are designed for children aged two, three and four year olds, as well as those who have completed Splashers. These classes continue building on the fundamentals and prepare them for swimming independently.

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Preschool (3 to 5 years)

Our preschool swimming lessons focus on developing your child into an independent swimmer and introducing them to the key skills they’ll need to swim on their own safely. Lessons are available with and without parents in the water.

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swimbies pool session

Baby and parent swimming lesson tips

Before the lesson

Before diving into one of our swim programmes, think carefully about whether you and your child are ready for the class. You can do this by:

  • Knowing how far your local leisure centre is from you.
  • Understanding the parking situation at the leisure centre (if you’re driving).
  • Considering your child's needs at that specific time of day e.g. feeds, naps.
  • Familiarising yourself with the facilities at the leisure centre beforehand.

What to Expect During Class

Once you’ve met your swim instructor, you’ll be asked to get in the water with your child. You’ll need to get low so that the water is at eye level with your child.

If you find the process uncomfortable or feel unsure about your positioning, don’t worry. Your swim instructor will be on hand at all times and can explain or demonstrate how to hold your child correctly.

Each baby swim session will last for about 30 minutes. However, sometimes your baby or toddler may be unhappy part way through. This is usually nothing to worry about and can just be down to a sudden change in their routine or generally having a bit of an off day - it happens. 

To make your next session in the pool smoother, practise outside of the classes is highly encouraged. Your teacher may give you tasks to complete during bath time at home to increase water confidence or enhance skills through repetition.

Recreational swimming can also provide an opportunity for children to try out skills at their own pace, without the need to feel like they have to perform when asked.

After the Lesson

Once you’ve completed your lesson: 

  • Ensure your child’s towel is within easy reach; they feel the cold much more than we do.
  • Arrange a feed or snack as your child is likely to be hungry and tired after the lesson.
  • Encourage family swimming outside lesson time so that not all swimming sessions are structured.

How to book swim lessons

Ready to dive in?

Follow the steps below to book a lesson or course online:

  1. Visit our booking platform, Home Portal.
  2. Enter your postcode, choose swimming, and click ‘search’.
  3. Pick your centre and click ‘show lessons’.
  4. Browse lessons and choose a group/stage and lesson time that works for you.

If you’re not sure which level is right for your baby or toddler, read about our stages for more information.

And if you’ve got any questions about our lessons and courses and Home Portal, visit our Help Centre for more information.

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Parent and Baby Swim Class FAQs

How should I dress/ dress my child for baby swimming lessons?

All you need to bring is comfortable swimwear for yourself, suitable swimwear for your little one, a couple of disposable swimming nappies and an extra towel in case of any accidents.

For certain classes you may also want to bring a few extra things.

For our Dippers and Splashers classes:

  • a neoprene baby wrap over the top of a swimming nappy for extra warmth in lessons.

For Paddlers and Pre School children: 

  • a neoprene short sleeve wetsuit to allow free movement of arms and legs and an extra layer of warmth.

When can I take my baby swimming?

Our baby and parent swimming lessons start from three months, but it’s up to you when you choose to begin. Swimming is an essential life skill and is useful to learn from a young age to keep your child safe, happy and healthy. So, whether you’re interested in baby swimming or teaching your 3 year old how to swim before they start school, we’re here when you’re ready.

Do I need any special equipment?

All the equipment and swimming devices will be provided during the lesson e.g. floats.

However, there are some things that you will need to bring from home:

  • A swimming nappy (please note that this is different from a normal nappy). These can be bought in either disposable or reusable versions. 
  • A neoprene reusable swimming nappy. This should be worn over the top of a disposable swimming nappy.
  • Swimming towels for both yourself and your and child (bring the child’s towel to poolside for the end of the lesson).

Who can attend and who needs to enter the water?

Any guardian/carer for the child is welcome to attend the swim lesson. Mums, dads, grandparents, nannies etc. are welcome, so don’t think it’s just a mother and baby swimming session.

If you are a non-swimmer or a weak swimmer this shouldn’t stop you taking part either; however, you should let your teacher know before the start of the class.

Do I have to sing?

Singing is part of the classes and we do encourage all adults to join in. Teachers will lead the singing, and children don’t mind how out of tune you are as long as you have a smile on your face. It can also help your child to relax and stay engaged during the session.

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