Baby Swimming | Baby Classes & Courses | Calmababy

Login to your account

To access your account, download our iOS or Android apps using the links below.

Download from the App Store Download from Google Play

Not a member?

To book online, view class availability and access our full range of services requires a Calmababy account. To set this up, please use our App, Register With Us, contact the Centre on 01733 707808 or email [email protected]

I'm a Parent...

With a Baby

Find out more

With a Toddler

Find out more

Baby Swimming

Attending baby swimming classes has extraordinary benefits!

The Calmababy approach to baby swimming is well known for being gentle, baby-focused, progressive and fun.

We use our own Calmababy-developed teaching method, and our swim program is founded on more than 25 years of experience and learning. We encourage free movement in the water when your baby is physically and emotionally ready.

Our baby swimming sessions focus on learning how to swim with your baby rather than just teaching your baby how to swim. This subtle difference is what makes our classes so popular and so effective; the parent-child bond is enhanced.

We built our swimming pool, especially for babies and young children. The pool temperature is a toasty 33-34˚C, and bromine provides sanitation with secondary disinfection via an ultraviolet light system.

The benefits of baby swimming:

  • The body – supports overall healthy development, improves eating and sleeping, enhances coordination
  • The brain – swimming supports the progression from reflex to voluntary movement. Babies who swim regularly develop better both socially and mentally
  • The heart – enhances parent/child bonding and relaxation, promotes a sense of belonging and enjoyment of socialising

How do we teach?

Because our teaching method is sensitive to each baby and child’s abilities, we do not follow a rigorous training program in which the child is meant to meet a certain ability level.

Instead, our approach centres on bonding, having fun and swimming with your baby in an environment free from expectations and pressure to meet criteria based on performance.

We achieve swimming progression through our flexible lesson plans, working at your child’s pace.

We do this by:

  • Reading cues and ‘listening’ to your baby: Every baby displays a set of facial expressions and body movements to communicate feelings. Learning about and ‘listening’ to this unique language ensures babies remain relaxed and happy in the water.
  • Adopting a gentle approach: Remaining focused on the parent-child relationship and working to enhance bonding and attachment.
  • Working at the child’s pace: Promoting freedom in the water at the right time enables confidence to flourish.
  • Repetition: Repetition of activities enables learning; every week, the sessions repeat previously learned skills and add new ones.
  • Giving attention to each of the four main milestones of development: Rolling, sitting, standing and walking. Each developmental stage offers a unique window of opportunity in the water-based environment and is characterised by certain reflexes. Working with these reflexes enhances baby development.
  • Focusing on safety: To ensure every child understands the importance of safe behaviour around water.
  • Having fun!

Baby reflexes and swimming:

Babies are born with natural reflexes that enable them to be underwater safely for short periods. This practice is known as submersion and can offer a sense of freedom and enjoyment for your baby when practised correctly. Although we do teach this technique, our classes do not focus heavily on submersion.

We believe your baby should only be submerged when fully engaged and accepting of the practice. Submersion should be encouraged, not forced. By offering babies and children expansive movement in the water, reflexes will naturally integrate and become conscious actions in their own time.

With thanks to Birthlight for the expert training, support and inspiration.

“I was super impressed by our first visit and can’t wait to come back! Probably the thing that really made it special was the impeccable service by every member of staff, from the lovely receptionist to the patient, approachable and understanding teacher. My child took a bit of time getting used to the pool but our teacher could not have been more wonderful in helping him go at his own pace. By the end he was grinning with delight.” Kate Moore

Bookings & Class Availability

Baby Swimming Classes are available from eight weeks to one years old and are booked in 10-week terms. Spaces for current or future terms are booked in advance by prior arrangement, please contact us for availability.

Due to our gentle, baby focussed approach, it is possible to join at any time. However, babies should be a minimum of 7-8 weeks old at the start of a new term. If your baby is under eight weeks, we advise you to wait until the following term.

Groups are limited to eight babies per class with one parent in the water. Before making a booking, please ensure you read our Terms & Conditions.

Please see our Timetable to view class schedules for the current term.

Payment options:
One child – £155 per term (inc. vat)
Second child – £125 per term (inc. vat)
**Payment is due in advance to secure your space and can be made in full or in two instalments

If no classes are shown in the timetable below, please select a future date in the calendar.

We're excited to announce the launch of Calmabody, our new yoga & wellness program! More Info