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.

• Philosophy: Water is an Extension of the natural environment

Infants are given the opportunity to develop their inherent swimming ability simply by exposing them to the aquatic environment and allowing them to play in it in a swim-directed manner.

• How long will it take for your child to learn to swim?

There is unfortunately no definitive answer to this question. What we can tell you is that there is no “quick fix” when it comes to learning to swim. Infants learn at their own level of confidence and competence. Rate of learning is uniquely individual. Factors such as the amount and type of previous aquatic experience, the attitude of the parents to water, and the frequency and regularity of lessons influence learning rate.
The more committed you are to bringing your child to lessons regularly, the faster your child will progress. It is all about constant aquatic exposure. A child would learn to swim as quickly as he/she learns to walk if he/she was exposed to the aquatic environment as frequently as he/she was given the opportunity to practise walking. No child is the same and, as they learn to roll over, crawl, walk and talk at different times, so it is with swimming.

• Standards

Being in water poses other life-threatening hazards for infants and very young children besides drowning. These can be controlled and greatly reduced with appropriate regulations in effect at Baby Fishes Swimming School.

• Discipline

Personal views on child-rearing are respected, but parents should be prepared to adhere to the set code of behaviour during lessons in the interest of success. Lessons are more likely to go smoothly and be enjoyed by everyone if the instructor is in command. Parents should keep their attention focused in the pool and be openly playful and loving with their infants. There is absolutely no pressure on anyone. Instructors know how to guide each parent-tot pair at a pace that is right for them.

• Health & Safety regulations for participating Parents & Infants

It is the responsibility of the parent to report any medical condition of the infant and participating adult.
Infants on medication need a letter of consent from their doctor.
Infants with diarrhoea, vomiting or with a fever should not attend lessons.
Anyone with an active infection or open wounds may not enter the pool.
Regulation swim wear is compulsory to avoid spills in the pool.
Keep diapers on as long as possible for pool deck hygiene.
Infants with long hair may have to wear caps.
Towels with a hood will help prevent rapid loss of body heat.
Infants should have had their last feed an hour before lessons.
Preparation for lessons should be unrushed, relaxed & happy.
It is customary to meet at a designated point before lessons.
It is not permitted to enter the pool before lessons.
Adults with long hair need to tie it up or wear a cap.
Tissues are provided for pool hygiene to assist runny noses.
No one should leave the pool without notifying the instructor.
Swim wear must not be removed in or on the side of the pool.
Snacking other than liquids in the pool area or change rooms is prohibited.
For everyone’s good, please observe all rules and regulations.
Rules and regulations are in place to protect you and your child.
The responsibility of the instructor ends when the group is dismissed.

• COVID-19 Safety Measures

We understand the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Little Fishes & Baby Fishes have ensured that all necessary safety measures have been put in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our swimmers, staff and families. We have designated entrance and exit areas to minimise traffic flow. Sanitation stations have been set up at strategic points throughout the school, and screens have been installed at reception to prevent unnecessary contact. Staff have received proper certification in safety measures, and face masks will be worn by instructors. All equipment is sanitised between uses, and the facilities receive sanitary cleans between classes. Shower facilities have been temporarily disabled at the school. The number of people entering classes is also limited. All people entering the school will have their temperatures taken and must sanitise their hands and feet/shoes before entering. Most importantly, chlorine is a natural disinfectant. The pool is the ideal place to be!
Please respect your fellow swimmers and rather stay at home if you are feeling in any way unwell. We value our swimmers and must emphasise that no swimmers (or their family members) that are ill may enter the schools.

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE WITHIN THE SWIMMING COMMUNITYPlace your children in the care of professionals and equip them with vital life and survival skills
OUR AIM IS TO STRIVE TO CREATE TRAUMA FREE CONDITIONS WHERE CHILDREN WILL ACQUIRE A VITAL LIFE SKILL, DEVELOP A LOVE FOR WATER AND EXPERIENCE HAPPINESS AND PLEASURE IN THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT