Swimming isn’t just about having a good splash in the summer. It’s an essential life skill that everyone should learn!
You never know when you might need to get yourself out of the water safely, and it’s also a great form of exercise.
If you’re interested in picking up swimming skills or want your child to be comfortable in the water as well, keep reading to discover the best swimming lessons near you!
Swimming classes are good for:
- Physical fitness
- Water safety
- Gross motor skills
Read on to find the best swimming classes near you.
Best swimming lessons for babies
Chelsea Swim Spa holds small group swim lessons for 2-12-month-olds that are taught by qualified teachers in the Chelsea area. The pool temperature is carefully maintained at 34°C to ensure that your baby is comfortable.
Swimming for babies, what to expect
During baby swim lessons, your little one will have lots of opportunities to explore the feeling of being in the water while having a splashing good time!
Your child will learn basic water safety skills, like floating and moving their limbs in the water with support from an adult. All of this will be done in a fun way, with lots of songs and games to keep bubs engaged. (1)
Either a parent or caregiver will need to accompany their baby in the water and be the main person to move baby around in the water.
When should babies first learn to swim?
Babies can start learning to swim through formal swimming lessons at around the age of 4 months. Bear in mind that at this stage, techniques learned will be more about getting used to being in the water rather than actual swimming strokes. (2)
What is the best age to start baby swimming lessons?
Some experts recommend starting baby swim lessons when they’re about six months of age. (3) But many instructors accept babies from four months and up.
Find swimming classes near you: view swimming classes
Best swimming lessons for 2-3 year olds
Yellow Submarine Swim School runs toddler swim lessons for three-year-olds in Hertfordshire. Their classes are taught by qualified teachers who follow the Swim England curriculum.
Flamingo Swim School in Bermondsey has a unique program for 2-3-year-olds that covers the basics of water safety for this age group.
Can a child swim at two years old?
At two years old, your child can start learning the foundations of swimming, like how to float and control their breathing in water.
However, learning to perform swim strokes like freestyle or breaststroke will only take place when they’re a few years older.
What does a two-year-old need for swimming?
Here are some key items a two-year-old will need for swimming lessons:
- Swim nappies
- Child swimwear
- Goggles
- Snacks and water
- Towel
- Float, armbands or swim vest (depending on the teaching method being used)
How do I teach my toddler to swim?
You can teach your toddler to swim by first allowing them to feel comfortable just being in the water. Remember to start small and go slowly.
The first few times you head to the pool together, you might simply hold them and blow bubbles together in the pool. You might want to bring a floating toy, small buckets, or cups to keep them engaged.
You could eventually progress back or front floating while supported by you.
If you’d like to introduce actual swimming strokes, enrolling them in swimming lessons is a good choice to help them develop proper technique.
Find swimming classes near you: view swimming classes
Best swimming lessons for kids
Yellow Submarine Swim School offers swimming lessons to kids of all ages in the Hertfordshire area. They follow the Swim England curriculum to ensure young ones are taught correct technique.
Chelsea Swim Spa runs swimming lessons for kids up to eight years old in a private pool (warmed to a comfortable 34°C) located in Chelsea.
Flamingo Swim School in Bermondsey maintains a fun and safe approach to kids’ swimming lessons. Classes are kept to a maximum of four students to ensure that each child receives optimal attention.
What age should a child be able to swim?
Every child is different, but at around four years old, most children will be developmentally ready to work on the motor skills and mental confidence needed for swimming. (4)
How do you motivate a child to swim?
Some of the best ways to motivate your child to swim include making swimming a fun family activity outside of formal lessons, celebrating swimming milestones, and selecting swimming lessons that incorporate games and activities suited for children.
Adult swimming lessons
Learning to swim is great at any age — even as an adult! It’s a great activity to add to your exercise routine, as it can provide a little bit of both cardio and strength building.
Plus, it’s an important safety skill to have. You never know when you might end up in the water, and wouldn’t you like to have the confidence to get yourself out of that situation safely?
Adult swimming classes near you
Yellow Submarine Swim School in Hertfordshire welcomes adult beginners who are looking to pick up the sport or improve their technique.
Private swim lessons near you
Chelsea Swim Spa runs private lessons for babies and children up to six years old in their private hydropool. This is perfect if you want to give your child more individual attention from an instructor.
FAQs: Swim classes UK
What is level 1 in swimming?
Level 1 in swimming is the first of seven stages in the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework, also known as Stage 1. Swimmers will be expected to have basic water skills, like floating, at the end of the level. (5)
How many levels are there in Swimming UK?
There are seven levels in the Learn to Swim Framework established by Swim England. This takes swimming students from the basics covered in Stage 1 (entering the water safely, moving forward for a distance of five metres, etc.); to the more advanced skills required by Stage 7 (pushing, gliding and swimming backstroke for 25 metres). (5)
Are baby swimming lessons worth it?
Baby swim lessons are worth it if you’d like to give your child lots of early positive experiences being in the water. This can help to build a solid foundation for future lessons where your child will learn actual swimming strokes. It’s also a great way for bubs and caregivers to bond!
Is swimming compulsory in primary school in the UK?
Yes, swimming is a compulsory part of the PE curriculum in UK primary schools. (6)
How many swimming lessons does it take to learn to swim?
It can take between six months to a year of weekly lessons to learn to swim confidently. This will vary depending on your child’s age and individual abilities. (7)
Can babies go in chlorine pools?
Experts recommend that babies only enter chlorine pools after they’ve turned six months old.
This is because their delicate skin might not be able to cope with the effects of chlorine as well as older children and adults. It could remove their natural oil, leaving their skin feeling dryer and itchy. (8)
Why can’t babies swim until six months?
Many experts recommend that babies only start swimming at six months old as their immunity and skin are very delicate. Their ability to regulate their own body temperature is also less developed when they’re only a few months old. (9)
References
- ”What to expect in baby swimming lessons”, Jump Swim Schools.
- “Early Swimming Lessons for Babies: The Best Age to Start for Development and Safety”, State Swim
- ”Your Guide to Baby Swimming Lessons”, The Bump.
- “When is the right time for children to learn how to swim?”, UNSW.
- ”Learn to Swim, Stage 1-7 Awards”, Swim England.
- ”Did you know swimming and water safety are part of the school curriculum?”, The Education Hub.
- ”How Long Does It Take to Learn to Swim?”, Swim Now.
- ”The benefits of baby swim lessons and the effects of chlorine on their skin”, Bounty Parents.
- ”Babies and swimming”, Pregnancy, Birth & Baby.