• Water Safety at Little Fishes Swimming School

Every person 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 everyone's education. This is one extra mural activity which is not an extravagance, but rather one of the best investments you will ever make. The latest statistics for drowning in South Africa show a substantial increase, with over 600 reported and recorded cases each year.
Besides equipping people 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.
Little Fishes has been in the industry since 1986 and we are passionate about teaching and allowing people the ability to explore the wonders of water.

• Swimming Qualifications

When choosing a swimming school it’s essential to check if the school and their instructors are approved through Swim South Africa. At Little 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 registered with Swim South Africa, which means that the highest level and teaching as well as facility offering is provided.

• How long will it take for you or 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. 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.

• 2:1 Ratio between Child and Instructor

Each child is taken at his / her own pace. All teaching is in groups as interaction with others is fun, and competition is a great motivator. Particular care is taken to ensure that children are placed in appropriate classes.
Children are not grouped strictly in ages, but according to ability. As soon as a child is progressing beyond the level of the group, we recommend a change to a stronger class so that the child is not prevented from reaching his / her full potential and so that he / she does not become bored.
The equipment and toys at the swimming centre are colourful and stimulating, and are valuable teaching tools as they arouse natural curiosity and alleviate anxiety. Equipment and toys are replaced on a regular basis.

• Term fees per Swimmer

• Swimming Terms

Swimming fees are paid in advance. All fees need to be paid in the beginning of the term before commencing lessons. Little Fishes is open throughout the year - December and January months are paid in full. These missed lessons while we are closed are made up in the 5 week months during the year. NO LESSONS ARE LOST.
There are NO lessons on Public Holidays and Sundays.
Make up lessons will only be given if 2 consecutive lessons are missed and a valid Doctors note is provided. This is a non-negotiable and is part of our terms and conditions when signing up.
One FULL calendar month’s notice is required in writing should you decide to leave the school.
There will be an annual fee increase.

• Little 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 strokes, diving, tumble turns, etc. Changing rooms and indoor toilets are situated inside the swimming enclosure, and there are viewing areas for parents. We have a small coffee shop, “Little Cafe”. The water is kept at a constant 30 / 31ºC with state of the art electric heat pumps so that classes can continue during the cooler months of the year.

• Progression Charts and Reports

It’s important to identify and acknowledge the progression to various swimming levels. At Little Fishes we have 5 levels of progression. During your initial FREE assessments your instructor will advise what level your child is.
We have 5 levels of swimming • Tadpole A, B and C (Water orientation, water safety and basic stroke) • Seal A and B (Stroke development and group stroke development)
From Tadpole C, class numbers are increased in order to prepare for squad training.
Each level is colour coded by a branded speedo swimming cap. Your instructor will advise which colour cap should be purchased based on each child’s swimming level.
Caps are compulsory and can be bought from reception.
Children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years can begin their swimming at Baby Fishes. Baby Fishes offers 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. This is an ideal gateway for children as they can then progress comfortably to Little Fishes once they are 3 or older.

• 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