What is the best age to start swimming lessons for kids?

Swimming is a valuable life skill for children, but some parents feel unsure about when to start lessons. 

The question is a commonly asked one amongst our Mumsnet community, and while guidance can vary, there are helpful hints that could signal your little one is ready to dive in.

If they’re able to follow basic instructions and show a love for water, swimming lessons are a great option. If your child is nervous around water, swimming lessons can be a helpful way to combat their fears and boost their confidence.

The NHS stipulates that babies can go swimming from any age, and movement in the water is great for their development.

Total Fitness’ Swim Academy provides fun and engaging lessons for ages 0 to 11. The lessons follow the trusted Swim England framework, and there are only six swimmers per session, so teachers can provide quality time and attention for each child.

Why are swimming lessons important for children?

Swimming is important as water safety is a vital life skill. But swimming is also a great form of cardiovascular exercise for children as it engages multiple muscle groups. It can also improve your child’s lung and heart health, plus it may aid digestion and improve the quality of their sleep. Music to any parents’ ears. 

Recent research from Swim England found that swimming can also build confidence, happiness and social skills to enable your child to create friendships at a young age. Plus, it can help develop a lifelong bond with sport and fitness.

Babies have a natural affinity with the water, so swimming lessons may offer them a sense of calm and relaxation, and provide a chance for parents to bond through skin-to-skin contact. Swimming may also improve their appetite and their coordination and balance. 

What age can my child start swimming lessons?

According to NHS guidelines, you can take your baby swimming from as young as you feel comfortable, and there’s no need to wait until they are vaccinated. 

Baby swim classes can offer a great form of exercise, help to strengthen your little one’s muscles and encourage parent-child bonding. 

For toddlers and older children, signs that they are ready to learn to swim include being able to follow basic instructions and expressing enjoyment of being in the water. You may also want to start swimming lessons if you have a holiday coming up where they will be exposed to a pool or the sea.

Companies like Total Fitness offer lessons for children aged 0 to 11 through their Swim Academy programme - including Baby Swim (for ages 0 to 4) and Learn To Swim (for children aged 4+) - tailoring each session to specific age and development levels. They even offer a free assessment, so they can observe your child’s skills and decide which level will best suit their ability.

Experts at Swim England advise getting your child ready for swimming lessons by taking them to the pool ahead of the first session, letting them pick out their own swimming attire or even meeting with the instructor beforehand to develop a level of trust.

What to consider before your child starts swimming lessons

Emotional readiness 

Some children may develop an instant love of water, while others may be more nervous. Baths are a great way to get your little one comfortable with water and, for young children, you could even bring their favourite bath toys to the pool for that extra layer of comfort. Swim England advises overcoming a fear of water by offering lots of reassurance and support, and staying calm.

Physical ability

Your child’s age and physical ability will determine what level of swimming lessons they are ready for. If you’re unsure, Swim Academy at Total Fitness offers a free assessment to observe your child’s skills and help you decide which lesson will suit them best, removing any guesswork. 

Your confidence and involvement

It can be daunting to consider swimming lessons for your child if you have a fear of water yourself. But the fear won’t simply go away, and swimming lessons may be more beneficial for your child if you are actively involved and offering support. The team at Swim Academy, Total Fitness, for example, believes it’s important for parents to immerse themselves in the experience too.

Swim England advises the following steps to tackle a fear of water for adults:

• Get your feet wet and slowly move deeper into the water.

• Try to splash your face with water as if you're washing it. Try to think positive thoughts as you do this.

• Attempt to hold your breath under water by breathing out and blowing bubbles.

• Hold on to the sides and practice kicking.

• Don't feel rushed to see progress. Take your time.

The facilities 

You want to make sure your chosen venue offers a clean, well-maintained pool with  instructors that are experts in their field. Total Fitness has lifeguards on duty for extra safety and their pools are regularly maintained, while the water quality is monitored and tested throughout the day. Every location also offers a Thrive Café for refuelling, as well as free parking for ease.

If your child is not yet potty trained, it’s important to check whether the pool allows children to wear swim nappies. Swim Academy members at Total Fitness, for example, need to wear a swim nappy.

Should you start lessons early or wait until your child is older?

Every child is different and while some may thrive from baby sessions in the water, others may benefit from starting a little later on.

The perfect age for swimming lessons is something commonly discussed within our Mumsnet community, with mixed opinions.

“[My child started swimming at] 5 months old and he continued until he had passed all swimming stages at the local leisure centre after the baby lessons,” one Mumsnet user said. “For us swimming lessons were non-negotiable as [swimming is] a life skill.”

Meanwhile, another Mumsnetter said it was better for her to build confidence before her children started to learn. “In the end, despite lessons at 4 with my son, he taught himself on holiday when he was 7,” she said. “My DD was a bit later - [she learnt] on holiday when she was 9. The main thing is they have had [...] no pressure!”

Mumsnet user EsmeeMerlin also praised the benefits of waiting, adding: “I wanted to wait until [my child] showed that he was able to concentrate and listen to an instructor for a period of time. I know some have started too early and the child just wanted to play in the pool which I think is a waste of money when they can do that with you as a family. However it very much depends on your child and when you think they can cope with a more structured swim lesson.”

How to choose the right swim class

You want to make sure that the instructors are qualified and have a good amount of experience with children. There should also be lifeguards on duty who have CPR and a First Aid certification.

Swim Academy teachers  are fully qualified and classes operate within the trusted Swim England framework. They only allow six children in the water at a time, so every child gets the support and attention they need. 

Not only does Swim Academy have friendly teachers, but the pools have lifeguards on watchful duty, ready to help should an incident occur.

Children benefit from structure and routine, which is why weekly swimming classes are great for their progression. You may want to ensure the class features the same instructor each week so your little one can develop a bond and level of trust.

When choosing a class, you may also wish to look for something that offers a family membership or introductory offer. Swim Academy at Total Fitness, for instance, has 20% off your first 3 months, plus you can get 15% off if you’re a Total Fitness member*. There are 14 Swim Academy locations to choose from. 

Can babies really learn to swim and are the lessons safe?

Head of Swim England’s Learn to Swim programme, Katie Towner, says even newborn babies can develop in the water. 

“I would say start as early as possible,” she recently commented. “If you are thinking of starting from birth, think about the setting that you're going into. There are a number of hydrotherapy pools out there that are obviously a warmer and calmer environment than your local authority public pool.”

Total Fitness’ pools are heated, with the main pool around 27 to 29 degrees Celsius, and the family pool between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius. You can sign up for a free family pool pass and let your little one splash about in the family pool - where baby lessons  take place – so you can feel confident that you and your child are ready for lessons. 

How do I know if my toddler is ready for swimming lessons?

Children will develop at different rates but, for structured lessons, it may be easier if your child can hold their head up and understand how to follow basic instructions. 

Should I stay in the pool with my child during lessons?

It depends on the instructor or the venue. For babies and young toddlers, it’s usually required that parents remain in the pool. But as your child gets older, it can sometimes be a distraction for you to be so close by. 

It may also make it harder for the instructor to engage with the child if a parent is present. Make sure you discuss the options with an instructor before the session and do what works for you and your child. If your child is nervous in the water, it may be better for you to remain close for reassurance.

If you’re not always available to take your child to their swimming lessons and need the help of grandparents or other family members, Swim Academy at Total Fitness allows you to register up to three adult Swim Buddies to attend with them. 

How often should kids take swimming lessons?

Children will learn at different rates but weekly swim sessions can be great for building structure and routine. 

Swim Academy at Total Fitness provides weekly classes with friendly, experienced teachers. The 30-minute sessions are long enough to build confidence and skills but won’t overly tire them. Plus, parents can also get 10 minutes of feedback after each class (Splosh’s Chat) to track progress. 

About Swim Academy at Total Fitness

Swim Academy at Total Fitness provides fun and inclusive swimming lessons for children of all abilities aged 0-11 years, following Swim England's trusted framework. Each lesson provides children with the opportunity to develop essential life skills and water confidence, whilst having fun, all under the guidance of experienced teachers.

About the author

Kat Romero is a writer and journalist with over a decade’s experience in the industry. Hailing from London, she has become experienced in scouring the market to find the latest and best products and services that are designed to make parents’ lives easier. 

Away from her desk, Kat can be found consuming far too much coffee and spending her weekends with her toddler and partner - soaking up the sights of London and sampling anything new and exciting that has opened up within walking distance.

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