Every child needs to know how to swim in order to survive in and around water - swimming lessons should be a compulsory and non-negotiable part of every child’s education. This is one extra mural activity that is not an extravagance, but rather one of the best investments you will ever make. The latest statistics for drowning in South Africa shows a substantial increase, with over 600 cases reported and recorded each year.
Besides equipping children with a vital life skill, by enrolling them in swimming classes you will be greatly enhancing, promoting and improving their visual and auditory skills, general muscle tone, respiratory function, co-ordination, body space awareness and bone density. Children who attend swimming lessons are being developed and stimulated beyond most of our expectations.
Baby Fishes has 32 years experience and we are passionate about teaching and allowing children the ability to explore the wonders of water.
• Swimming Qualifications
When choosing a swimming school it is essential to check if the school and their instructors are approved through Swim South Africa. At Baby Fishes Swimming School, instructors are qualified and register with Swimming South Africa every year. They also have current Level 1 First Aid Certification and are obliged to update their CPR qualifications and to produce a Police Clearance Certificate annually.
Our centre is also sanctioned by Swim South Africa, which means that the highest level and teachings as well as facility offering is required.
• Baby Fishes Facility
We have a modern indoor, heated, CHILD FRIENDLY swimming centre in a warm and light atmosphere. The swimming pool and surrounding areas have been custom built to accommodate infants, learn to swim and stroke development classes. The facilities are suitable for teaching of the various beginner strokes.
Change rooms and indoor toilets are situated inside the swimming enclosure and there are viewing areas for parents. The water is kept at a constant 32˚C with state of the art electric heat pumps so that classes can continue during the cooler months of the year.
• Parent Involvement
Infants are accompanied in the water by their parents or their principal carers who follow instructions given through the medium of songs, chants, rhymes and games.
• Course Structure
Research has shown that one month is insufficient for proper water development in infants. Six weeks is ideal for emotional, psychological and physical development. As such, Baby Fishes is broken down into 2 different development programs, each one lasting for 6 weeks (12 weeks in total). The first 6 weeks focuses on water orientation, after which they will do 6 weeks of water safety.
Should you miss the beginning of a course, there is a maximum 2 lesson grace period where swimmers will still be able to catch up on important learning aspects.
• Fees per Swimmer
Fees are preferably paid by term, covering the two full 6 week courses. However, fees may also be broken down and paid monthly over three months to cover the 2 programs.
• Swimming Terms
Swimming fees are paid in advance. All fees need to be paid before commencing lessons.
Baby Fishes is open throughout the year. There are NO lessons on Public Holidays and Sundays. We are closed over the Easter weekend.
There will be an annual fee increase.
One full calendar month’s notice is required in writing should you decide to leave the school.
• Swimming Progression
Once swimmers have graduated from Baby Fishes, they can move on to Little Fishes to continue their water education. Little Fishes offers Learn-to-Swim (3 years +), Stroke Correction and Adult Learn-to-Swim.
Every program is designed with gentle progression levels to ensure the maximum development of every swimmer.
• Lessons
Group learning makes for stress-free lessons. Infants are grouped for lessons according to their age with a maximum of six parent-tot pairs per group. Each practices the skills on their own level. A minimum of two 30 minute lessons a week is recommended. Twelve lessons make up a course. The 12 lessons run consecutively. Should a swimmer miss a lesson, they forfeit that class and it will not be carried over. Various courses take infants through to Graduation and ultimately LTS (Learn to Swim) swimming.
• Attendance
Missing lessons is disruptive and interferes with progress.
If an infant is ill for 2 consecutive lessons, it may be possible to join another group at the same stage when lessons were interrupted.
Make up lessons will only be given if a valid Doctor’s note is provided. This is non-negotiable and is part of our terms and conditions when signing up.