My mini Mumbler and I have just completed our first term of baby and toddler swimming classes. I wanted to share our experiences with other families who might be thinking about swimming classes for their babies or toddlers, so you know what to expect and can make informed decisions.
I had intended to do baby swimming when my bubs was tiny, but we’d never got round to it. So I found myself with an 18 month old who had never been to a swimming pool. I began researching toddler swimming classes in South Leeds. (The various things parents might want to consider are covered in this previous blog post on how to choose toddler & baby swimming classes in South Leeds.)
I chose Puddle Ducks for a number of reasons:
For those starting out with baby swimming classes, here is the kit you will need for your little one:
Don’t worry if you don’t have everything. The Puddle Ducks team have spares poolside. We weren’t sure which size neoprene nappy to buy so were encouraged to try on one of the spares and check the fit at the first session. We then bought one online for the second session from the Puddle Ducks shop.
(I hadn’t realised about also bringing a disposable nappy for underneath, so we turned up for our first session without one! Luckily one of the other mums kindly donated one to us in the changing rooms).
Despite a couple of false starts (week one due to illness and week two due to being locked out the house without our swimming kit – don’t ask!!) the team were really understanding and explained about the free courtesy classes policy they have. We were duly booked onto another session that week so we didn’t miss out.
We attend sessions at The Village South Hotel and Leisure Centre in Morley. It’s a really bright, warm and welcoming venue, and as you can see, my little one is always keen to get straight in there!
As well as lots of other gym and leisure facilities, there is a café and spacious seating area, where you can sit and have a post-swim coffee with the other families. There are male, female, family and disabled changing rooms so everyone is catered for, and the facilities are kept clean and tidy. We use the female changing and there is lots of space with padded seating so you can lie your little one down comfortably to change them.
One of the first things we were taught was getting into and out of the water safely. The little ones are shown how they must sit on the side and wait for their parent or carer to get into the pool rather than just launching themselves in!
From our very first visit, we were made to feel really welcome by poolside assistant Mel and swimming teacher Emma.
Singing and repetition is a big part of the routine for Puddle Ducks classes, which the little ones love. We generally start in a circle with a sing-a-long and bubble blowing to warm up and get the babies used to putting their faces in the water. Classes also finish playing with buoyant toys and then gathering together for a final sing-song with the duck finger puppets, which always gets a giggle out of the children.
Puddle Ducks group the children according to age. In our age group (15 – 30 months) there is a big focus on learning life saving water safety skills, alongside learning how to swim independently. This includes how to safely enter and exit the pool, learning to turn and find the side, teaching children cues for jumping in, getting their faces wet or being submerged. But we also practice activities that mimic how it would feel if a child – for example – falls in unexpectedly. These are done in a controlled way so they always feel safe.
During our first couple of sessions, my daughter was a little nervous and sometimes cried when we tried new things or she got her face wet. Now she squeals with laughter through most of the class and is happy to belly flop into the water and have her face submerged. She’s even done some independent splashing around with woggles under her arms. I’m so proud!
Puddle Ducks works with Birthlight and the Swimming Teachers Association (STA) on the best and safest way to submerge children so that they feel empowered and never forced. Their policy is that the child decides and I’ve always felt 100% confident that my child has been happy throughout.
I’ve watched my daughter’s water confidence grow enormously over the past few weeks. As a parent I’ve felt 100% confident with all the activities we’ve done together, and for us the balance between pushing her out of her comfort zone to try new things while also keeping lessons fun and working to her ability has been struck really well at these classes.
Swimming classes have now become part of our weekly routine, and my daughter often asks if we’re going swimming when we get in the car – and is disappointed when it’s not swimming class day!
We’ve done quite a few different activities and classes together now, and while every bit of time you spend with your baby is special bonding time, there’s something quite unique about swimming. The closeness you experience in the water builds real trust, and the shower afterwards is a good opportunity for skin to skin, which can often get forgotten when we’re busy – especially during winter when we’re normally wrapped up in lots of clothes.
Swimming is also a multi-sensory experience and great for socialisation and physical exercise too. Mine sleeps really soundly after a good swim!
In writing this review I was keen to give an honest and balanced report. Genuinely our experiences have been overwhelmingly positive. If I had to give one minor negative, it would be that the pool at The Village Morley is a slightly colder than some other local pools. Having said that, it’s never been unpleasant to get into and feels really warm within a few seconds of moving around.
We received some free swimming lessons from Puddle Ducks in return for sharing our experiences. But rest assured you will only ever read honest reviews on South Leeds Mumbler.
In fact, I have continued with paid classes and we are already signed up for the new term in January 2020.
Find out more about Puddle Ducks classes here
To buy Puddle Ducks vouchers as a gift, click here
