Toddler Swimming Lessons
Our lessons for toddlers age 14 months to 3 years are a natural progression from baby swimming and carefully designed to balance technique, safety skills, floating, games and songs with an emphasis on having fun!
The path to independent swimming
Our Turtle Tots toddler lessons are a great way to teach your child to swim and will develop your toddler’s water confidence and stroke development, helping them progress to independent swimming. We consolidate the fundamental skills your child has already learnt and introduce new skills too. You’ll see your child’s strength and confidence increasing, as they become more independent.
Play is an essential part of early development and we use songs and games in the lessons, with the emphasis on learning though having fun. Lessons improve balance and co-ordination. They also focus on promoting water confidence and early stroke practices, helping them to progress towards independent swimming. By this time, most children are happily self-submerging multiple times within each lesson and this remains under their control.
During this phase there is a stronger focus on developing aquatic breathing techniques so that younger toddlers learn to exhale as they swim and then surface to breathe. Water safety is of course key to our lessons and we build your child’s ability to assess and make judgements about risk – they will also further develop their knowledge of water safety techniques, enabling them to be as safe as possible around water. Our lessons for younger toddlers are fun-packed and energetic for both toddler and parent! We incorporate themed lessons into our programme to keep lessons feeling fresh and exciting.
Benefits of Toddler Swimming
Frequently Asked Questions
Why teach my toddler to swim?
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.
When will my child learn to swim on their own?
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.
Do lessons include submersions
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.
More information about Toddler Swimming
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When can babies go swimming?
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Clock change … how to manage your little one’s sleep routine
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Time to DITCH THE DISPOSABLE
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MyBump2Baby Podcast
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Summer holiday swimming skills you can practice at home
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Top ten tips for staying safe near the water this summer
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Top 10 questions about baby swimming
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Lily sets her sights on swimming success!
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Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day 2023
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Why teaching water safety skills to children from an early age is important
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Nervous about baby swimming lessons?
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Choosing the right baby and toddler swimming lessons
Reviews
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Kate is a fantastic teacher! She teaches confidently and creates an environment that all the kids enjoy. My three-year-old son has developed excellent swimming skills and water confidence since he started with turtle tots.
Cleide 
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I came to turtle tots as my little boy had a bad experience with a previous swimming coach and lost all confidence and would not even get in the water. After just the first lesson with Anna it was amazing to a smile back on our little boys face. He enjoyed the class so much!!!
Kerry -
We’ve attended this class since my son was one and he’s now three. My son initially wouldn’t go into a pool on holiday, he now loves the water and his class. It’s enabled us to be safe and comfortable in the water and have fun. Thoroughly recommend.
Anonymous -
Turtle Tots swimming lessons have been the best thing we could have ever done for our little girl, we enjoy the lessons so much and are absolutley blown away by her progress. Could not be happier with the instructors.
Lucy -
Turtle toys is an amazing programme for teaching children to swim. My child loves it and her confidence has soared. She enjoys every lesson and the lessons are very fun and active. The lessons focus not just on swimming but how to stay safe in and around the water. My child always looks forward to seeing Michelle who is a very warm and friendly teacher. Highly recommend.
Danielle -
We have been coming to turtle tots for approximately one year. We are in the toddler class and my daughter has come on with her confidence so much. She was once the toddler who was clinging onto her parents crying and not wanting to join in! Now I have to blink twice … she’s like a swimming turtle and can’t get enough of the water and jumping in. At the start I worried if she would ever enjoy it and now a few months in she’s a part of the furniture and looks forward to seeing the swimming teachers! She even fills me in on where the swimming teachers are on holiday! She loves turtle tots and if ever you find yourself doubting if you’ve made the right decision , keep going! Ella is a new toddler and everyone in her class is commenting on her performances and confidence . I can’t wait to see what’s to come x
Lauren -
My kids had bearly seen a pool before they started 6 months ago. Now our 4 year old is in the pool without us and our 2 year old is growing in confidence and loving the experience and exercise. Sam and their team have been great. And the children love their lesson as a highlight of the weekend.
Leonie -
Our son has been attending since he was 4 months old. He is now 4 years old, and is able to swim with increasing confidence. Natalie is a wonderful teacher! Our 3 month old has just started her lessons with Rachel and is loving it. Turtle tums was wonderful too.
Anonymous -
Rebecca at Turtle Tots is amazing. She is always so friendly, upbeat and is really lovely with the little ones. We have been swimming since our son was 2.5 months, he’s now 7.5 months and he loves swimming and is so confident in the water. Swimming is also my favourite time of the week, it’s so lovely watching their confidence and skills grow and really special time together.
Milly -
We wholeheartedly recommend Turtle Tots! We’ve been attending since our little one was just a few weeks old, and now as a toddler, it’s been an invaluable bonding experience. Rebecca and her team are truly exceptional; they take the time to understand each child’s personality. The program not only enhances swimming skills but also supports communication, language, and overall child development. The atmosphere is always welcoming, supportive and friendly, making every visit enjoyable. You won’t regret choosing Turtle Tots – they are incredible teachers!
Maria -
Our 2 year old daughter absolutely loves Turtle Tots and lessons with our instructor, Jen. She has been having lessons since she was 3 months old and can’t wait to get in the pool. She has been learning the basics of swimming on her front and back (supported), using floats and more recently jumping in, and it is lovely to see her smiling and enjoying it so much. Thank you Turtle Tots!
Emma -
From the first contact with Turtle Tots they have been excellent to deal with on all fronts. The swimming lessons (for our three year old grand-daughter) were fun and effective. She is now confident in the water and is already swimming short distances. I can’t thank Turtle Tots enough for their help and we look forward to bringing our grandson along to their lessons very soon.
Darren