Foundation class

If your child is aged 8 weeks to 11 months old and has little to no experience of being in the water, this is the place to start.

You and your baby will be in the pool together, with a qualified instructor and no more than four or five other babies in your class.

Your baby will be guided over a period of weeks, with your supervision, to feel more confident in the water.

We are often asked if babies are ‘dunked’, or go under water straight away - they don’t! Our instructors gently guide your baby, first becoming comfortable in the water with toys, songs and games, then progressing with splashes and tipping water with cups, until finally - when you and your baby are ready - preparing for your baby’s first underwater experience.

Once your baby has had enough experience in the water, they can progress from the Foundation class into the following Stages, of which there are eight (including Foundation). We will liaise with you at all stages of your child’s journey.

Stages 2 - 8

Some new swimmers come to us with already enough experience in the water to go straight into one of these stages, and that is absolutely fine. We are happy to discuss your baby’s needs and make the best decision for you.

Each Stage takes your baby on a progression - from holding on to the side, using floatation devices, learning to float, learning to ‘go under’, getting in and out of the pool safely, with many of our little swimmers eventually moving on to becoming independent swimmers in our purpose-built pools during these stages.

All of our Foundation and Stage classes require a parent/guardian in the pool with their little swimmer.

Typically, little swimmers will complete the eight Foundation and Stage classes in just over a year, but this varies from child to child and is dependent on many factors!

Our instructors get to know each child and will progress swimmers according to what’s right for them - we never advance any swimmer too quickly, and will advise you to make sure you and your little one are having the best experience.

Information

The timetables shown are for the current term, for which we are no longer accepting new bookings.

The timetable changes from term to term, but it will give you an indication of the classes and days when we may have availability.

The next term begins on Monday, April 13th 2026.

Our weekend classes are more popular, and most have a waiting list. There is more availability during the week, and you are far more likely to find a class on weekdays.

If you are unable to attend a class, we can offer catch-ups for planned absences, provided notice is given. We will also offer catch-ups for unplanned illness.

We are happy for children to begin classes when they are available, and remain on the waiting list for weekend classes. It does not have to be the same adult who brings your child to every class!

Facilities

Both of our centres have showers and changing facilities, and space to leave buggies safely inside the centre.

The pools are heated to an average temperature of 34 degrees, so you and your baby will be warm and comfortable.

Both our pools are HSE-approved, UV-filtered, and perfectly safe for babies as young as 8 weeks old.

Catch-Up Lessons

Catch-up lessons can be taken any time within the same term, but cannot be carried over to the next term. Please book your catch-up as soon as a suitable space becomes available, as spaces become more limited as the term progresses.

Our terms allow one catch-up lesson per term. If possible, we will offer a second catch-up, but priority is given to swimmers who only have one lesson to make up.

Please inform us as early as possible if you will be absent so your space can be offered to another family needing a catch-up. This is especially important for weekend classes, where demand is very high.

No matter how many weeks in advance, please email us as soon as you know, so we can release the space! The sooner you inform us of a planned absence, the more likely we are to find you a more suitable catch-up class for you and your baby.

Illness Policy

Please do not attend lessons if your child has an infection or a high temperature.

• If your child has diarrhoea and sickness caused by a bug, wait 14 days after the last symptoms before returning.

• If diarrhoea is caused by teething or food, your child can return 48 hours after the last episode.

Reporting Absences

Please report absences and book catch-ups by email only. Do not report them to instructors, reception staff, or by phone.

Refunds

If you cannot schedule your catch-up within the term, refunds or credits cannot be given, unless the lesson was cancelled by us.

For any questions, please contact us.

Interested in a trial?

We offer FREE trial sessions for foundation classes at both centres on a Tuesday afternoon at 1 pm.

Email info@thebabyswimmingcompany.co.uk to book your place!