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Toads

Our TOADS programme is designed for children aged 3 to 12 years who are ready to develop their swimming skills independently, without a parent in the water.

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Whether your child is taking their very first independent swimming lesson or progressing from one of our parent-and-child programmes, our small class sizes ensure every swimmer receives the individual attention, encouragement and support they need to thrive. 

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At Tadpole Swim School, we believe children learn best when they're having fun. That's why our lessons combine structured skill development with engaging activities that help children build confidence, develop water safety awareness and enjoy every step of their swimming journey. 

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As swimmers progress through the TOADS programme, they develop greater independence in the water whilst refining their technique and stamina. Lessons introduce the key skills required for all four competitive swimming strokes – front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly – with teaching tailored to each child's individual ability and stage of development. 

 

Water safety remains at the heart of everything we do. Alongside learning to swim, children develop the confidence, awareness and practical skills needed to stay safe in and around the water. 

 

Our aim is simple: to help every child become a confident, capable and happy swimmer whilst fostering a lifelong love of being in the water.

Our TOADS programme is divided into progressive stages, allowing every swimmer to learn at their own pace and celebrate each milestone along the way. 

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See below for a detailed breakdown of each TOADS stage and the skills your child will develop as they progress through the programme.

Toads Pre-school

For children aged three years plus, and who are ready to commence swimming independently.

We're encouraging and progressing towards:

 

  • Children to be happy putting their faces in the water and blowing bubbles.

  • Water confidence and being safe in the water. 

  • Swimming independently on both fronts & backs in a woggle / with a float.

  • Learning our froggy arms (breaststroke).

  • Attempt solo swims on their front & back.

Toads 1
 

For children who are beginners, from rising 4 years plus.

 

We're encouraging and progressing towards:

 

  • Children to be happy putting their faces in the water and blowing bubbles.

  • Confidently jumping in. 

  • Swimming 3 meters independently in front & back crawl.

  • Learning our froggy arms (breaststroke).

Toads 2

For children who can confidently swim a minimum of three metres on their front & back.

 

We're encouraging and progressing towards:

 

  • Achieving a correct body position whilst travelling in the water, with eyes in the water.

  • Independent floating - no aids. 

  • Swimming 6 metres in front and back crawl.

Progressing froggy arms (breaststroke)

Toads 4

For children who can confidently swim a minimum of ten metres on their front & back.

 

We're encouraging and progressing towards:

 

  • A streamline position on fronts and backs.

  • Swimming distances of 20 metres consistently in front and back crawl.

  • Gaining confidence in the water without the teacher's assistance.

  • Side breathing for front crawl.

  • Coordination of breaststroke arms and legs for 5 metres.

  • Progressing Dolphin Kick to 10 metres. 

  • Introducing treading Water

Toads 6

For children who can confidently swim a minimum of twenty-five metres on their front & back.

 

We're encouraging and progressing towards:

 

  • Swimming 50m front crawl and back crawl. 

  • Swimming 25m breaststroke and butterfly kick.

  • Building stamina and long-distance swimming.

  • Correct breathing technique in all strokes. 

  • Diving from a sitting position.

  • Basic rescue and life-guarding skills. 

Toads 3

For children who can confidently swim a minimum of six metres on their front & back.

 

We're encouraging and progressing towards: 

 

  • Learning back crawl arms.

  • Swimming distances of 10 metres consistently in front and back crawl.

  • Progressing breaststroke arms to 10 metres.

  • Beginning to learn breaststroke legs.

  • Progressing Dolphin Kick to 5 metres. 

  • Mushroom floats

Toads 5

For children who can confidently swim a minimum of twenty metres on their front & back.

 

We're encouraging and progressing towards:

 

  • Confidence and independence in the water from their teacher.

  • Swimming distances of 25 metres consistently in front and back crawl, with correct technique.

  • Coordination of breaststroke arms and legs for 15 metres.

  • Progressing Dolphin Kick to 15 metres & introducing correct breathing technique. 

  • Introduction to a touch finish.

  • Sculling & Straddle jumps.

Toads 7

For children who can confidently swim a minimum of fifty metres in Front Crawl and Back Crawl, with competent Breaststroke and Butterfly technique. 

We're encouraging and progressing towards: 

 

• Swimming 100m Front Crawl and Back Crawl with efficient technique and controlled breathing. 

• Swimming 50m Breaststroke and Butterfly with correct timing, rhythm and finishes. 

• Building stamina through 200m and 400m continuous swimming. 

• Completing a 100m Individual Medley and developing advanced skills such as tumble turns and underwater dolphin kicks. 

• Developing water safety, survival and rescue skills including treading water, deep water dives and partner towing.

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