FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Tadpoles and Frogs FAQ
When can my baby start swimming?
Babies can start swimming from birth, provided the pool water is warm enough. Many families begin before six months of age, but children can benefit from swimming lessons at any age.
What does my child need to wear for lessons?
Tadpoles
All Tadpoles swimmers must wear a Splash About Happy Nappy. This specialist swim nappy provides a secure fit around the waist and legs to help prevent leaks in the pool. Children who are not yet potty trained must also wear a disposable swim nappy or liner underneath the Happy Nappy. Children are welcome to wear any additional swimwear over the top if they wish. We cannot accept alternative brands.
Frogs
Frogs swimmers must wear either a Splash About Happy Nappy or Splash About Happy Nappy Jammer. Children who are not yet potty trained must also wear a disposable swim nappy or liner underneath. Additional swimwear can be worn over the top if desired. We cannot accept alternative brands.
Important
Our teachers will not be able to allow your child to enter the pool without the correct swimwear.
What if my child has outgrown their Happy Nappy?
New Happy Nappies can be purchased through our online shop, by calling the office, or by emailing our team. Depending on the time available before your lesson, we can either post the item or arrange for it to be brought to your class.
What if I forget my Happy Nappy?
We carry a limited amount of stock poolside. If a suitable size is available, you may purchase one before your lesson. However, stock cannot be guaranteed, and swimmers without the correct swimwear will be unable to enter the pool.
How Long are the swimming lessons?
Each lesson is 30 minutes long.
What do I need to bring to lessons?
Parent & Child Classes
· Happy Nappy and swim nappy/liner
· Child's towel
· Your swimwear
· Your towel
· Changing mat
Are changing tables available?
For safety reasons, we do not provide changing tables at our venues. Changing mats are available poolside for use, or you are welcome to bring your own changing mat. We recommend changing babies on the floor in line with current safety guidance.
Does my baby need to be immunised before swimming?
No. Current NHS guidance confirms that babies do not need to have completed their immunisations before attending swimming lessons.
What if my child is unwell?
Please do not bring your child swimming if they have:
· Sickness or diarrhoea (48-hour exclusion applies)
· Chicken pox
· Conjunctivitis
· Hand, Foot and Mouth
· Impetigo
· Chest infection
· Ear infection
· A severe cold or fever
If your child only has mild cold symptoms and is otherwise well, they may usually attend.
What age do you teach?
We teach children from birth through to 12 years old, supporting them from their first water experiences through to confident swimming across all four strokes.
When should my child eat before lessons?
We recommend feeding children at least one hour before their lesson. Babies should not swim immediately after a feed.
Can we swim outside of lessons?
Absolutely. Additional swimming outside lessons helps children build confidence and progress more quickly. Regular practice is one of the best ways to support their development.
Can spectators attend?
One spectator may attend in addition to the adult participating in the lesson.
Can I take photos during lessons?
You are welcome to take photos or short videos of your own child, provided no other swimmers are visible in the footage.
When will my Tadpole or Frog move to the next level?
Tadpoles
Our Tadpole baby classes automatically progress to the next level of our programme each term, allowing your little one to develop naturally at their own pace.
Each new term carefully builds on the last, gently introducing new parent-and-baby holds, sensory activities, familiar and new songs, and positive underwater experiences when your baby is ready. These small, gradual steps help nurture early water confidence, trust, and comfort, while supporting your baby’s physical development, coordination, and bonding time with you.
Frogs
Progression through our Frog levels is based on both age and development. Children will move to the next level when they reach the appropriate age and are physically ready for the next stage of learning. This helps ensure they are confident and able to get the most from their lessons.
Does my child need to wear armbands?
No. We do not use armbands during our lessons.
Armbands can restrict arm movement and encourage an upright position in the water, which can hinder the development of good swimming technique. Instead, we focus on building water confidence, balance and independent swimming skills.
Where appropriate, our teachers use swimming aids such as woggles and floats, which are provided during the lesson.
Toads FAQ
What does my child need for lessons?
Children should wear suitable swimwear for their lessons, and we recommend bringing goggles where possible.
Please note that swimming hats are compulsory for all Toads swimmers attending lessons at our All Hallows venues.
What if my child is unwell?
Please do not bring your child swimming if they have:
· Sickness or diarrhoea (48-hour exclusion applies)
· Chicken pox
· Conjunctivitis
· Hand, Foot and Mouth
· Impetigo
· Chest infection
· Ear infection
· A severe cold or fever
If your child only has mild cold symptoms and is otherwise well, they may usually attend.
What age do you teach?
We teach children from birth through to 12 years old, supporting them from their first water experiences through to confident swimming across all four strokes.
When can my child start parent out of the water classes?
Our parent out of the water Preschool classes are suitable from age 3.
These classes are a gentle introduction to independent swimming, with children learning without a parent in the water. While it can help if children are water confident and happy to put their face in the water, this is not a requirement as our teachers support each child every step of the way.
We use a variety of teaching aids, including shark fins, to help support buoyancy and build confidence in the water, while our teachers remain in the pool to guide and support the children throughout the lesson.
Can we swim outside of lessons?
Absolutely. Additional swimming outside lessons helps children build confidence and progress more quickly. Regular practice is one of the best ways to support their development.
How Long are the swimming lessons?
Each lesson is 30 minutes long
How will I know how my child is progressing?
Progress Reports are emailed to parents at the end of each term, providing an overview of their child's progress and highlighting the skills they have achieved, as well as those they are working towards in their current level.
Can spectators attend?
One spectating adult may attend per swimmer.
Please follow any venue-specific instructions provided in your class confirmation.
Can I take photos during lessons?
You are welcome to take photos or short videos of your own child, provided no other swimmers are visible in the footage.
How often will I receive a Progress Report?
We continuously assess each child's progress throughout the term and provide a Progress Report at the end of every term, detailing the skills they have achieved and the areas they are continuing to work towards.
When will my child move up to the next stage in the Toads programme?
If your child is in a mixed class, they will usually remain in the same lesson when they progress to the next level, with their teacher simply teaching them the skills and activities for their new stage.
This means they can continue learning in a familiar environment with the same teacher and classmates.
Where a class move is required, our office team will contact you before the start of the new term to discuss the available options.
What is a mixed class?
Some of our classes are mixed-level classes, which means children working towards different stages of the programme swim together in the same lesson.
Our teachers tailor activities and challenges to each swimmer's individual ability, ensuring that every child is working on the skills most appropriate for their current stage of development. This allows swimmers to progress at their own pace while benefiting from the group learning environment.
Can I speak to my child's teacher about their progress?
To ensure our teachers can remain focused on delivering safe, high-quality lessons, we ask that any questions regarding your child's progress are directed to our office team rather than discussed poolside.
Our teachers regularly assess all swimmers and provide Progress Reports at the end of each term. If you would like further feedback on your child's development, please contact the office and we will be happy to obtain detailed feedback from their teacher and respond to your enquiry.
My child can already do some of the skills in their level. Will they move up immediately?
Not necessarily. Progression is based on a combination of skills, confidence, consistency and water safety. Our teachers will ensure each swimmer is working at the most appropriate level for their overall development.
My child has been in the same class for a while. Should I be concerned?
Not at all. Every child progresses at their own pace. Swimming is a complex skill that combines water confidence, technique, strength and coordination. Our priority is ensuring children develop strong, safe foundations before moving on.
How can I help my child progress more quickly?
Regular attendance and additional swimming outside of lessons are the best ways to support progress. Practising skills little and often helps children build confidence and retain what they learn in class.
Are teachers in the pool with the children?
Yes. In our Toads programme, teachers remain in the water with the children until they reach Toads 4 level.
At this stage, swimmers must be able to independently swim a minimum of 10 metres on both their front and back, consistently and confidently. Once they reach this level, they begin transitioning towards more independent swimming.
Our teachers are in the water throughout the earlier stages to provide hands-on support, build confidence, and ensure safe, effective progression.
How long will it take my child to learn to swim?
Every child learns to swim at their own pace, so there is no fixed timeframe for progression.
Swimming is a complex skill that develops over time, combining water confidence, coordination, strength and technique. Some children progress quickly, while others benefit from longer at each stage to build strong, confident foundations.
Regular attendance and additional swimming outside of lessons can help support faster progress, but our priority is always ensuring each child develops safely and confidently at the right pace for them.
Bookings and Payments
Can I join after the term has started?
Yes. Subject to availability, swimmers can join at any stage during the term and will only be charged for the remaining lessons.
Do you offer trial lessons?
We do not offer trial lessons. Our teaching programme is designed around termly progression, and children may join at any point during a term if spaces are available.
You are however, welcome to pop along to the class you are interested in joining and watching the class before deciding if you would like to join. This will enable you to also see the venue and meet the teacher.
Should you wish to pop along and watch the class please do let us know and we can organise this for you.
What happens if we need to miss a lesson?
If your child is unable to attend a lesson, please contact our office team ahead of your class. Subject to availability and in line with our Class Swap Policy, we may be able to offer a class swap in an alternative session.
As class swap spaces are limited and dependent on availability, they cannot be guaranteed.
Missed lesson are not eligible for refunds or credits.
How do class swaps work?
Our class swap policy allows you to move a lesson if your child is unable to attend due to a pre-planned absence, such as a holiday or appointment.
All swap requests must be emailed to our office and are subject to availability. Swaps must be requested at least 48 hours in advance during office hours (Monday–Friday, 9:30am–3:00pm) and will only be confirmed once approved by the team.
A maximum of 3 swaps can be used per term, and all swaps must take place within the same term. Once confirmed, swaps cannot be changed or moved back, and missed swaps cannot be rebooked.
I'm not ready to join yet. What should I do?
Join our waiting list and we'll keep you updated when spaces become available. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
If my child doesn't enjoy their lessons, can I have a refund?
Swimming lessons are purchased on a termly basis. Once a term has started refunds and credits are not available.
Children often need time to settle into a new environment, and we encourage families to allow several lessons for confidence and familiarity to develop.
Will my child's place automatically continue next term?
Yes. Existing swimmers are given priority and their space will automatically roll over into the following term.
Can I change class or venue?
We are always happy to look at alternative classes where availability allows. Please contact the office team and we will discuss the options available for you to move your booking for the remainder of the term
Do you accept childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare?
No. Unfortunately, we are not currently registered to accept childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare payments.
All lesson fees must be paid using the payment methods detailed on your invoice.
Can I pay in instalments?
For new bookings, invoices are due within 5 days of booking to secure your child's space.
For rebooking swimmers, term fees can be split into two instalments. Full details of the instalment option, including how to set this up and the due dates for each payment, are included in the rebooking newsletter sent prior to each new term.
If you have any questions regarding payment, please contact our office team.
Do you run term-time only lessons?
No. Our lessons run throughout the year, with breaks only for Bank Holidays and over the Christmas period.
Swimming is a skill that is best developed through regular, consistent practice. By running lessons year-round, we help children maintain their confidence, build on existing skills and continue progressing without lengthy breaks that can often lead to a loss of confidence or regression in ability.
This continuity allows swimmers to make steady progress and get the most from their lessons.
How do I cancel my child’s place?
If you do not wish to continue into the next term, cancellation must be made in writing before the cancellation deadline, which is 7 days prior to the start of the new term.
For cancellations made more than 7 days before the term start date, we will issue a refund minus a £35 administration fee.
For cancellations made within 7 days of the term start date, no refund or credit will be issued.
If you are paying by instalments and wish to cancel more than 7 days before the term start date, a refund will be issued minus the £35 administration fee, taking into account any payments already made.
Where applicable, failure to complete payment of the second instalment may also incur the £35 administration fee unless the cancellation falls within the 7-day window.
All cancellation requests must be received in writing during office hours.
How do waiting lists work?
We contact all families on our waiting list as soon as spaces become available for upcoming terms.
Places are then allocated on a first come, first served basis, so we recommend responding as quickly as possible when availability is shared.
Our team will always do their best to match you with your preferred day, time, and venue where possible.
Can siblings swim at the same time?
At some of our venues, we run multiple classes at the same time, which means we can often accommodate siblings swimming alongside each other in their own appropriate level classes.
Where this is possible, children may either swim at the same time in different classes or in back-to-back lessons, depending on availability and timetable options.
Our team will always do their best to support families and find a suitable arrangement where possible.
How will I know when rebooking opens?
We send out a rebooking newsletter via email around week 4 of the current term. This will include full details of your child’s rebooking, any updates or changes to lessons, and the payment deadline to secure your place for the next term.
What happens if I miss a rebooking deadline?
If a space is not confirmed by the deadline date, it will be released to our waiting list.
Should you wish to rejoin after this point, we will always do our best to find a suitable class for your child, subject to availability.
What should I do if my child has medical needs?
We believe all children are able to learn to swim, and we are committed to supporting every swimmer in a safe and inclusive environment.
If your child has any medical needs, conditions, allergies, or additional requirements, please share these with our office team before starting lessons. This allows us to ensure we place your child in the most suitable class and provide any necessary support.
All information is treated confidentially and helps us work closely with families to provide the best possible experience for each child.