FAQs

Some of our most commonly asked questions:

At what age should I start bringing my child swimming?

There is no recommended age to bring your baby swimming. Babies can start swimming just as soon as parents feel ready to bring their new arrival. We recommend that the cord has become detached and healed before starting swimming lessons. For very young babies we recommend attending lessons at a hydrotherapy pool or, if not, then we recommend them wearing thermal swimwear (we can advise on this if required).

Here at Puddle Ducks we don’t have “blocks” or “terms” of lessons. Babies and children can join Puddle Ducks or Swim Academy at any time, regardless of their age or experience. Your little one will simply join the class for their age so you can book in to start at any time.

Does my baby need to have had his/her immunisations before coming swimming?

Parents often ask us whether their babies can swim before they have been immunised. The NHS gives parents clear guidance:

You can take your baby swimming at any age both before and after they have had their immunisations

At Puddle Ducks we follow the guidelines set by the Government and they have recently produced this booklet which includes the new MenB vaccination (see section 2.22 for specific swimming information).

NHS Booklet- A Guide to Immunisations

 What should my baby/child wear?

If your baby/toddler is attending one of our Floaties, Splashers or Kickers classes then a double nappy is compulsory. We ask that parent purchase a neoprene “happy nappy” to be worn on top of a swim nappy to prevent unwanted leaks into the pool. You can add a swimming costume too if you prefer.

If your child is attending a Little Dippers, Dippers or Dabblers class and is not yet out of nappies then the same double nappy policy applies. However, if he/she is using the toilet or potty at home and is out of nappies then the double nappy policy does not apply. In this case, ordinary swimwear should be worn (swimming costume/all-in-one suit/shorts).

For Swim Academy, there are no specific requirements but we recommend fitted swimwear rather than baggy shorts as the these can inhibit kicking due to drag which can occur.

What if my baby/child cries during the lesson?

Please don’t worry. The chances are that other babies/children in the class have also cried during a lesson , it’s more normal than you think. Other parents in the class will understand- they all have babies/children so have all been through it too. We are there to support you throughout the lesson.

Do I need to bring any equipment with me?

All the equipment we use in classes is provided (floats, woggles, toys) but if your little one is attached to a favourite toy and they would like to bring it swimming with them, this is no problem.

You just need to bring swimwear for baby/child (including a swim nappy and neoprene happy nappy for younger ones), and for the grown up who will be in the pool, spare clothes (just in case) and towels (at least one for child and one for the grown up). We also recommend a woolly hat (for keeping little heads warm) and a snack (for older babies/toddlers) because who doesn’t get hungry after swimming!

How long will it take for my child to learn to swim?

This is something we get asked regularly but unfortunately there is no exact answer. It is dependent on so many factors, such as:

• How old he/she was when they started swimming;
• How confident the baby/child was at the start of their swimming journey; and
• Whether you go swimming outside of lessons (fun swimming, holiday etc)

Learning to swim is not a race. Every child learns in different ways and at different speeds. Most importantly, they will learn when they are ready.

What if we miss a lesson? Have we missed out?

At Puddle Ducks we understand parenting and we know those curve balls that life loves to throw at us last minute. This is why we offer Courtesy Classes to our customers. for those times when you just can’t make it to your lesson. Simply book a “holiday” in your online My Puddle Ducks account by clicking the “Let us know you can’t attend a lesson” button and a courtesy class will immediately be added to your online account (visible in the My Children page) as long as you do this before your class begins.

Your Courtesy Classes can be used at any point, and booked up to six days in advance from the options available to you in your My Puddle Ducks account.

Courtesy classes have no cash value and are valid for six months, as long as you are still paying for your space in a class. It enables you to attend another lesson, in place of the one you missed so that your little one doesn’t miss out on their swimming. 

Do parents get in the pool?

If you’re attending one of our Baby and Preschool classes (Floaties, Splasher, Kickers, Little Dippers, Dippers or Dabblers) then one adult is required in the pool per child. Parents can alternate who swims each week if you wish (with the other spectating) so both get to enjoy the experience.

If your child is booked into one of Swim Academy classes for ages 4- 10 years then the children are in the pool with the teacher(s)- no parent required in the pool but spectating is permitted so you can see what they are learning.

Should my child wear goggles?

If your child is used to wearing goggles then they should be permitted to wear them when they come to Puddle Ducks. However, we do encourage children to remove goggles for short periods of time so that they gain experience without goggles.

Goggles can help your child to put their face in the water; their eyes will be less aggravated, and they will undoubtedly enjoy their enhanced vision with goggles on, especially when collecting toys from the pool floor. However, goggles are not always the right answer. It is very easy for a small child to quickly become dependent on goggles and refuse to even get into the water without them.

Goggle dependency can become a genuine safety issue. Any child, of any age, could fall into water. It is most likely that your child will be fully clothed and not wearing goggles if they ever fell into water, therefore it is important that they do not develop a mindset that they cannot swim without their goggles on. Above all, if your child does want goggles then don’t make a big issue out of it. Encourage your child to keep them on for a period of time (while doing most of the swimming and diving activities) but try to make sure they are removed for at least some of each swimming session, especially when your little one is practicing jumping in. 

For our recommended goggles, head over to the Puddle Ducks shop https://my.puddleducks.com/shop/swim-accessories_

Is there anything I can do at home to help my child progress? 

One of the most important things you can practice at home is Bubbles! These can easily form part of a fun bathtime routine. Why not make it more fun and get siblings involved (or even mum or dad!)

Using bowls or cups in the bath can be a great way of allowing your little one to explore the water by pouring it on the back of their head or shoulders, (or even face if they are happy).

My child is very nervous around water. Can you provide enough support to help with water confidence?

Absolutely! A swimming lesson is about so much more than learning to swim. Our unique child-led programme ensures that babies and children (and adults too!) learn at their own pace. They gain confidence as they receive lots of support from the teacher in every lesson. No child is ever forced into doing anything they are uncomfortable with. With lots of patience and gentle nurturing confidence grows week after week.

Other swim schools use armbands but you don't, why not?

We want to teach your child to swim independently and how to be safe in the water. Your child, no matter how young or how new to swimming they are, will never wear armbands in a Puddle Ducks lesson. Here's why:

• We teach our Puddle Ducks to swim beautifully. Technique is ingrained at every level and wearing armbands hinders this as they prevent a lovely, flat swim position. Armbands also restrict arm movements making it harder to swim;
• If your child ever fell into water they probably won't have armbands on. They need to understand how it feels to be in water without armbands and how their movements affect their balance and their buoyancy;
• Non-fitted buoyancy aids (such as floats or woggles) allow children to push away from them when they are ready to be independent. Whereas fitted aids (armbands) require an adult to deflate them. 

What if my child won't join in?

Please don’t worry if this happens. Your child won’t be the only one to want to just watch, especially when they first start. Our teachers will always encourage nervous children to join in with each activity, but they are never forced. Simply watching the other children joining in a lesson can have a positive impact and we find that they quickly want to be part of the fun.

What qualifications and insurance do you have?

All of our teachers have a Level 2 Swim Teaching Qualification, Swimming Teachers Association (STA) membership which is also their individual insurance to teach. As a company, Puddle Ducks has comprehensive employer’s liability and public liability insurance.