Safety: Children's Swimming Lessons
Swimming is a fun, enjoyable experience for babies and children alike, but many parents don't know what to look for when choosing a class or teacher to teach their child to swim. Anne Hawley, founder of My Waterbabies has come up with 10 top tips to help parents choose a safe and monitored swimming class.
1. Choose wisely
First of all, ensure that you choose a registered specialist Infant Swimming instructor.
2. Check, check and check again
Check that the instructor holds a current Criminal Records Bureau [CRB] Certificate and if you are worried ask to see it. A CRB checked instructor will have received a certificate stating that they have no previous convictions.
3. Safety first
Confirm that the instructor holds a current Baby and Child First Aid Certificate, again ask to see this if you are concerned.
4. Is everything covered?
Ascertain that the instructor or swim club holds insurance that covers Infant Swimming for the age and stage of your child.
5. Location, location
Attend classes based in Local Authority or Private Leisure Clubs. Classes that are held at people’s homes or in private locations may not be monitored regularly and have no qualified lifeguards.
6. Try before you buy
Ask to attend a ‘taster’ session prior to registering with the class. It is a good idea to attend a couple of classes as a spectator before signing your child up for classes – this will give you an idea of the instructor’s techniques and personality.
7. Can I watch?
Confirm that instructors employ an open door policy where spectators are welcome – be wary if you are denied the opportunity to attend as a spectator before you enroll your child.
8. Less is more
Make sure that lessons are in small groups with no more than five in a class. Any more than this and you can’t be sure that your child is receiving enough attention to be safe.
9. Big Brother
Check that classes are regularly monitored, whether this is by the centre/club itself or a local authority such as the council.
10. Infant safety code
Ensure that the instructor adheres to the Infant Safety Code.
Anne Hawley is founder of My Waterbabies, a method of teaching children to swim naturally from birth. She has now set up the UK’s first register of qualified, specialist Infant Swimming teachers and organisations who are teaching using the new My Waterbabies Infant Safety Code. For more information, go to www.annehawley.com.
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