Adult & Child Classes

Babies and Toddlers under the age of 3 years are accompanied in the water by the teacher and a parent/guardian. We run classes 3-18 months old and 19-36 months old. I would suggest that 90% of my 3-year olds that have been swimming for a year with us can swim unaided and love the water. All adult and Child classes are relaxed, sociable and good fun. We use the Swimming Teachers Association badge structure and a certificate will be awarded each term. We strongly recommend you purchase a specialist baby swim suit which will keep your little one warm and comfortable. An additional charge of £20 will be made to your enrollment fee to cover this and the suit will be waiting at your first lesson if you wish to purchase a suit from us.

Adult & Baby Classes 3-18 months old

Baby classes are an introduction to the swimming environment and the instructor will spend a lot of time with the parents showing them how to hold their baby, where to stand and what to do. It is a joy to teach babies as the benefits of swimming are seen almost immediately with improved sleeping and feeding habits, increased strength and awareness. Please note that a water nappy must be worn by all babies and children still in nappies, they can be purchased at large supermarkets.

Adult & Toddler Classes 19-36 months old

Toddler classes are taught through the use of songs, games and toys. Toddlers respond best to play and interaction, not only with the parent but also the other children in the class. We have a varied stock of water toys, colourful floats and specialist equipment that will encourage the toddlers to work hard and learn to swim without them realising it! We teach submersion, floating and swimming on the front and back.

Children 3 years + Introduction

The swimming lessons for children age 3+ include the non swimmers, 5m, 10m and Lengths classes. We use the Amateur Swimming Association National Teaching Plan for Swimming (NTPS) and a badge and certificate is awarded at the end of each term. Please note that a swimming hat must be worn and can be purchased before your first lesson.

3-4 Year Old Classes (Duckling Classes)

We like to keep the children not yet at full time school in separate classes as they learn in a different way to the older children. The classes are kept to a maximum of 6 in a class with the teacher in the water at all times. At this age we encourage the children to enjoy the water and their swim classes by capturing their imagination and incorporating TLC.

Non Swimmers (NTPS 1 &2)

Our class teacher will accompany the children in the water and encourage the children to gain the confidence to go under the water, float on top and swim across on the three main strokes. (Front crawl, Back crawl and Breast stroke). Our average class size is 7 children in the water with a highly qualified and passionate teacher. Promotion to the next class will require the child to swim a width on each stroke unaided.

5m Class (NTPS Levels 3&4)

The 5m will take the child from a scramble across the pool to them swimming a recognised stroke with good technique. We will introduce the side breathing in frontcrawl and more overarm actions. 

10m Class (NTPS 5&6)

The 10m class is a preparation for the lengths class, largely focusing on improving technique. We see no positive effects on asking a child to swim a distance with incorrect technique. In our opinion, if a child can swim 5m with a technically sound stroke, they can swim 5 miles. With this in mind, our swimmers spend longer on short distances perfecting strokes. We also teach all aquatic skills as set out by the ASA such as treading water, surface dives and of course all 4 strokes (Frontcrawl, Backcrawl, Breaststroke, Butterfly)

Lengths 1 (NTPS 7 and 8)

An introduction to lengths and deep water. classes will focus on building the stamina to swim longer distances without loosing the technique. Treading water, diving and submersion will all be introduced in the deep water. Children will be swimming 25-50m at a time.  

Lengths 2 (NTPS 9 and 10)

Personal Survival and Water Safety are developed in these classes. Children will be swimming 100m at a time and working on developing the technique and style on their strokes. Classes remain fun and imaginative even at this stage, there is no pressure to be the fastest or best.

Lengths 3 (NTPS 11 and 12)

Our elite classes will work on stamina training, technique development on all 4 strokes, starts and turns. Our lessons are varied in order to keep the children’s’ attention, we also cover lifesaving, swimming with clothes on, sculling, treading water, diving and much more! We have very strong links to local competitive clubs and teach best practice should your child wish to compete. If not, they are more than welcome to stay in order to continually improve, meet with their friends and keep up their fitness.

Rookie Lifeguard (8 - 14yrs)

These classes are for all the children that have reached the point in their swimming lessons where they can't learn much more. In these classes they will follow the Rookie award scheme where they will learn how to save themsleves or a friend at the water edge. They will also learn first aid and CPR! This is a new scheme bought out by the RLSS (Royal Lifesaving Society) and something Swim Time really enjoy teaching and find very rewarding.