Baby, Toddler and Pre-Schoolers (age 0-4 years)

Lessons for our younger swimmers are generally grouped by age as this allows for developmentally appropriate activities, good social interaction and focused instruction.

More information about the best class for your Baby, Toddler or Pre-Schooler can be found here.

Swim Academy (4+ years)

For our slightly older swimmers, the most suitable class depends on any existing skills and experience that you have. More information is provided here but please don’t worry too much as your teacher will assess you during your first session and will make any recommendations if the class you have chosen isn’t quite right.

If you are still not sure…

…then please do get in touch with us and we will be more than happy to help. 

Once you have decided which class is best for your child (see above) then it’s super easy to book. Simply follow the link to our booking page here.

If the class you would like to join is full, then please do pop yourself on the Waiting List as spaces become available from time to time.

Once you have booked then we’ll email across your booking confirmation. You’ll then receive a Joining Pack a couple of weeks before your first lesson containing lots of useful information to help you prepare.

We have very high standards at Aqua Beans – we demand only the best from our teachers. Each teacher has at least the following qualifications to ensure that you and your little one are in the best hands possible:

• • • Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Baby and Pre-School Teaching Qualification

    • STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming

    • STA Safety Award for Teaching (pool rescue, first aid, CPR techniques, poolside emergencies) or National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (RLSS UK)

    • STA Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Course

    • Enhanced DBS Checks (previously known as CRB)

    • Membership with STA

A member of the senior management team also holds an up-to-date Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) certification.

In addition, each teacher goes through a comprehensive internal training programme before he or she commences teaching with us to ensure that you only get the best of the best.

Baby Classes

Please take a look at the recommended kit list here.

Toddler and Pre-School Classes

• • • Swimming costume for your little one

    • Swimming costume for you (probably easiest if you come wearing this under your clothes – in which case don’t forget your undies!)

    • Towels (for you both)

    • Goggles (optional)

    • Hair band to tie back long hair (if required)

If your child is not yet FULLY toilet trained, you will also need to bring along a double nappy (more information about this can be found here)

Swim Academy Classes

• • • Swimming costume

    • Towel

    • Goggles

    • Hairband to tie back long hair (if required)

    • Onesie (optional but we find kids love wearing these after their lessons!)

All Swimmers

Try to keep everything in one bag if you can as it will make things much easier for you when you arrive for your lesson.

And don’t forget – there is no need to bring along swimming aids such as arm bands, noodles, floats etc as everything you need will be provided in the lesson!

The short answer to this is no!

We provide absolutely everything you will need for your swimming lesson (and we have some pretty cool kit!). The only exception to this is goggles for the Swim Academy swimmers (age 4+ years) which you’ll need to bring your own.

For those not in the know, “swim ready” simply means wearing your costume under your normal clothes to allow for a quick change once you arrive at the pool.

Yes – we do recommend arriving “swim ready” if you can as it just speeds things along. However, don’t worry if not as we have changing facilities at all our pools.

Please note, if you are bringing along a baby, keep them in their normal nappies until arriving at the pool (if you change them into a swim nappy too early then you’ll end up with lots of unwanted leaks!)

Please aim to arrive around 5-10 minutes before your lesson. This should give you plenty of time to get changed. We politely request that you do not arrive more than 15 minutes in advance as other swimmers from previous lessons will still be changing and things will get very busy!

Please don’t worry – we understand that life can sometimes get in the way. To ensure that you don’t miss out, we offer catch up classes for just £1 (subject to availability) – get in touch to find out more.

Little ones often catch colds and, unless they have a bad cough, temperature or are particularly poorly, then it is fine to bring them along (we often find swimming perks them up!) However, if you or your child have been suffering with a more significant illness such as an ear infection, chest infection, chicken pox, impetigo, sickness, diarrhoea or conjunctivitis then please stay home. We ask that you do not swim for at least 48 hours after any sickness and/or diarrhoea symptoms have passed (or two weeks in the rare occurrence of Cryptosporidiosis).

If in any doubt, then please speak to your GP before coming along.

Baby, Toddler and Pre-School Classes

For our younger swimmers, yes, an adult is required to accompany their child in the water at all times.

This ensures that the child feels a sense of security in the water to build their confidence, it ensures they are supported physically at all times when required, it helps build a bond between the adult and the child and it allows us to introduce independent swimming in a way that is controlled and gradual (and not scary!).

The adult doesn’t have to be mum or dad. We find that grandparents, aunts and uncles or even family friends love to come along.

And if you are not confident yourself in the water then please don’t let this stop you. Our lessons promote a supportive and nurturing environment both for grown-ups and little ones. The small class sizes and fully trained and experienced teachers mean that all activities and exercises can be adapted to suit the individual ability of each and every person in the class. If fact, you’ll probably find that your own confidence in the water starts to blossom after just a few classes.

If you are still not sure about going in the water, please do not worry. Chat to us – let us know – there is so much we can do to help.

Swim Academy

When your child joins us in Swim Academy classes, they will be ready to take the next step towards independence. This means swimming in the pool without you! But please don’t worry as our expert swimming teachers will be ready to put them at ease and guide them through this exciting transition.

All of our pools allow spectators to watch from the poolside so we are more than happy for you to bring along a family member or friend to share in your child’s magical journey. If, for any reason, spectators are not able to come along to a particular lesson then we will let you know in advance.

Swimming is such a special experience and many parents want to capture the memory to look back on in years to come. Therefore, if you ask permission from the teacher (who will check with the other class members), then, in most cases (and subject to the pool rules), we may allow you to take a few snaps at the end of the lesson.

Photographs can only be taken of your own child and, unfortunately, we do not permit videos to be taken at any time.

For babies, please see the guidance about feeding.

For all other swimmers, it’s best not to have a full meal before a swim as it’ll make you feel a bit uncomfortable in the pool. However, an energy snack before or after the class is a great idea. We politely request that snacks should not be eaten in the changing rooms or on poolside. Thank you.

Absolutely yes! Here at Aqua Beans we specialise in catering to children of all comfort levels, including those who may feel nervous about swimming. Our experienced instructors have a wide variety of tools, techniques and strategies to provide a supportive and encouraging environment, helping nervous swimmers build confidence at their own pace.

Our classes run weekly in line with Warwickshire school term dates. We’ll always email you in advance with reminders about any upcoming holiday breaks.

From time to time, we also run special holiday courses. Details and booking information will be sent to you directly and posted on our website.