Frequently Asked Questions

Baby swimming offers many benefits for both you and your baby. Our lessons support your child’s physical, social and emotional development, as well as giving your child the opportunity to develop their language skills. The Turtle Tots swimming programme fundamentally teaches vital life-saving and water safety skills, something that will support your child’s confidence in the water throughout their entire lives. Baby swimming lessons also encourage bonding and attachment, giving parents the chance to spend quality time with their little ones cuddling, playing and learning together.

All Turtle Tots babies and toddlers must wear a double nappy system until they are fully toilet trained. A well fitted neoprene Happy Nappy should be worn over a swim nappy. We have some fantastic reusable options available in our shop. Alternatively, you can purchase disposables from any good baby retailer.

If your little one feels the cold, or you are planning on swimming in cooler pools between lessons, you can purchase a baby wetsuit.

Also, don’t forget your own swimming costume, towels and a warm snuggly outfit for your baby after the lessons.

Babies can start swimming lessons with Turtle Tots from birth. Our lessons for little ones take place in lovely warm pools in locations across the UK. However, new mums may need to wait a little while until their bodies have fully recovered so if you would like to start your baby swimming journey as soon as possible, other family members may need to hop in the pool with little one initially.

The Turtle Tots philosophy is to ensure safety and water confidence, encouraging parents to fully utilise the benefits and enjoyment that can have swimming with their children – whether that is at our lessons, on holiday or trips to the pool. We also provide a great social environment for parents and toddlers, giving them the opportunity to meet other families and children, forging friendships for life.

The age a child learns to swim independently depends on many factors including ability, confidence, and regularity of swimming.

Introducing children to Turtle Tots from an early age, and continue regular lessons, means that by the age of 3 and a half many children will be swimming short distances independently.

Swimming underwater is not the main focus of Turtle Tots swimming lessons. Our award-winning swim programme does include natural submersions once your little one is ready. This will be different for every child and our teachers are fully trained to understand when this will be. However, most of our activities take place above the water, with lots of fun and games.

Yes, our lessons are designed for parents to accompany their child into the pool. Our pools are warm and comfortable and shallow enough to stand up in so parents do not need to be confident swimmers to join in. Our teachers are fully trained and experienced in helping parents and carers to feel confident in the water and will support both you and your child throughout the whole programme.

The Turtle Tots philosophy is to ensure safety and water confidence, encouraging parents to fully utilise the benefits and enjoyment that can have swimming with their children – whether that is at our lessons, on holiday or trips to the pool. We also provide a great social environment for parents and toddlers, giving them the opportunity to meet other families and children, forging friendships for life.

The age a child learns to swim independently depends on many factors including ability, confidence, and regularity of swimming.

Introducing children to Turtle Tots from an early age, and continue regular classes, means that by the age of 3 and a half many children will be swimming short distances independently.

Yes! Turtle Tums Aquanatal Yoga classes take place in warm shallow pools in selected locations across the UK. If you can’t swim, our teachers will ensure that you are fully supported and stick to areas of the pool where you are comfortable.

If you would feel more relaxed with your partner accompanying you, please speak to our team and we’ll ensure that arrangements are put in place for you.

We recommend that you ask your midwife to get the latest advice and personal guidance on taking part in any activity during your pregnancy. However, mums-to-be can often start Aquanatal Yoga classes from week 14 of their pregnancy.

Your normal swimming costume should be fine in the early stages of pregnancy but you may wish to purchase or borrow a pregnancy specific swimming costume as your bump starts to develop. Some women find wearing a sports bra under their costume offers them more support but is not a necessity.

Our Turtle Tums Aquanatal Yoga classes are designed to prepare your body and mind for the arrival of your newborn. The exercises in our programme help to improve core stability, maintain mobility and muscle tone, improve posture and reduce back and joint pain.

Our relaxation sessions give you the opportunity to develop an awareness of the baby growing inside of you and begin the early stages of bonding.

Of course! We will put you in touch with a successful franchisee who can tell you more about running a profitable business.

Lots! Visit our support page for details.

Our territories are defined by postcode areas. Each territory has a population of roughly 400,000 people, and franchisees have exclusive rights to deliver Turtle Tots lessons within their territory.

We prefer our franchisees to not have other businesses or jobs, as this can impact the success of a Turtle Tots business.

Franchises are awarded for an initial five-year term, with no charges to renew for subsequent five-year terms.