Topic ID 3743
Our 5 month old enjoyed splashing about in the small pool while we were on holiday last week. Does anyone know of classes or sessions locally for babies?
Reply ID 54418
We used Little Fishes years ago. The contact details are in this thread: http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.php?id=3054#44047
Reply ID 54421
ditto little fishes. have tried others and they're no way near as good.
Reply ID 54429
I have heard lots of good things about little fishes. Haileybury is also very good but they like them a little older!
Reply ID 54440
I've got a 9 month old and we go to lessons on Saturday mornings at Hartham. Although reluctant at first, 4 lessons later he really enjoys going in the pool and splashing, and now gets rediculously excited when it's bath time. It's around £40-50 for 10 lessons.
Reply ID 54450
I can thoroughly recommend Little Fishes. Our daughter (10.5 months) finished her lessons with them in July when the school term finished and is due to start again in September. She loves it and now does all the proper swimming movements when we take her. She did her lessons at Cowper Primary School in their little pool. They are very popular though and you need to book pretty far in advance.
Reply ID 54463
We also use Little Fishes for both our children and are signed up for September. I think they are great. We started them both at around 6 months old or so and haven't looked elsewhere as we are very happy.
Reply ID 54488
quote:One note for dads re. Little Fishes at Cowper is be prepared for a cold wait to get changed after the sessions. When I went a few years ago it was predominantly mums and the changing rooms were quickly filled with women with their babes taking ages to get changed. As the only male I had to wait with my cold son until they were ALL finished. Occasionally I would get there first but then I had a mad rush to get changed as there were a lot of cold mums and their children waiting. I was tempted just to walk in and `get me kegs off´ and to hell with it but I didn´t fancy the publicity in the Mercury.
Originally posted by thefair1973
I can thoroughly recommend Little Fishes. Our daughter (10.5 months) finished her lessons with them in July when the school term finished and is due to start again in September. She loves it and now does all the proper swimming movements when we take her. She did her lessons at Cowper Primary School in their little pool. They are very popular though and you need to book pretty far in advance.
Reply ID 54494
Do you want sessions or actual lessons? I going over to Hartham today between 12-1.30 for a splash with my 4 month old; I'll check how regular the sessions are. Many teachers don't recommend actual lessons for at least a year, and I'm not a fan of putting the baby's head under water. If you want more formal sessions, a friend of mine has qualified to take babies swimming - please contact me through my profile and I can send you the details.
Reply ID 54497
quote:Putting a babys head under water is a good thing, esp if its done in the correct way. It helps to build water confidence. The amount of children i have taught who wont put there heads under because of the fear from it. I dunked littleP from 12 weeks old and at the age od 3 1/2 still enjoys doing it..
Originally posted by SMT
I'm not a fan of putting the baby's head under water.
Reply ID 54498
agree 100% GillP. I was never made to put my head under, and still can't! My 2 year old is a pro and can swim under water with her eyes open - something i'll never do! do you teach swimming?
Reply ID 54499
quote:I sure do :D
Originally posted by Bengeobabe
agree 100% GillP. I was never made to put my head under, and still can't! My 2 year old is a pro and can swim under water with her eyes open - something i'll never do! do you teach swimming?
Reply ID 54501
are you a little fishes teacher, or do you teach elsewhere?
Reply ID 54502
quote:Interesting the different approaches. I hate putting my head under water and would not have the confidence to do it to my daughter. Mother in law (swimming teacher of many many years) advised against dunking her. I really would like mini-me to have the confidence in the water that I don't have! Hartham pool run the under 5s swim Monday to Thursday between 12.00pm to 1.30pm - hope that helps John Smith!
Originally posted by GillPquote:I sure do :D
Originally posted by Bengeobabe
agree 100% GillP. I was never made to put my head under, and still can't! My 2 year old is a pro and can swim under water with her eyes open - something i'll never do! do you teach swimming?
Reply ID 54503
Bengobabe i teach elsewhere. SMT... differnt teachers have differnt approcaches. Teaching methods have changed grealy over the last 10 yrs since i first qualifed.
Reply ID 54513
Re Little Fishes @ Cowper for Dads, the changing room issue is exactly why I've never taken my daughter. I was tempted to taje her once and tel the other mums that there was a male & female changing room and it's not really my fault that they're too small. Didn't think it would go down too well so I just sat and watched whilst Mum & baby splashed about. Gets bloody warm in that pool when the sun's out. It's basically a glorified greenhouse
Reply ID 54525
Little fishes at Cowper is great. The facilities are a bit pokey, but the pool is perfect to learn in. The teacher is great.
Reply ID 54529
It is also a lovely warm pool.
Reply ID 54546
I agree changing facilities aren't great but thats not really why you go :) I have been in the week where the one dad who was there used to get changed with us and no one looks at anyone else! Saturdays are better than in the week as there is a more even split of mums and dads them so men go in the mens and ladies in the ladies.