In the preschool swimming program, children learn to become more independent in the water and begin to develop important water survival skills.
Children will learn skills in:
- Body orientation and floatation
- Propulsion, breath control and submersion
- Basic stroke development
- Personal and water safety.
- Learning to follow instructions and class structure
- Socialising and interacting with other children
Our swimming teachers
Our teachers hold nationally accredited swimming teacher and water safety certificates. They have current CPR and first aid certificates, and have training in safeguarding children and young people.
Program levels
Teachers assess and progress children through the program levels, based on their individual ability.
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
Tadpole
Ages: 3.5 - 5 years |
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Goldfish
Ages: 3.5 - 5 years |
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Flying Fish
Ages: 3.5 - 5 years |
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Deep FishAges: 2+ yearsClass size: Two Deep Tadpole Deep Goldfish |
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Swimming Lesson Information
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Program and Safety Requirements
Infant and Preschool lessons
- Babies must be at least 6 months old
- Children in nappies must wear aqua nappies that are tight fitting around the thighs (you can buy them in centre)
- Parents should bring bathers during the first few lessons, in case the child gets upset and needs support in the water
All child lessons
- Bring bathers, towel, goggles (recommended, but not required) and dry clothes
- Come to the edge of the pool at the start of the lesson and directly hand over your child to the teacher
- Watch the lesson (Preschool classes)
- Stay as close as possible to the lesson (for example, by sitting in the chairs around the pool)
- Come to the edge of the pool at the end of the lesson and collect your child
- Photos are only allowed in the pool area with prior arrangement (never in the change room area). See our FAQs page for more information.
To provide a safe environment for your child, parents/carers must stay in the pool with infants for the whole lesson.
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Accessible Classes
We can develop swimming lessons on request to cater for participants with special needs.
We can custom-design swimming programs for school or community groups of all ages with intellectual or physical disabilities. The programs focus on improvement of health and wellbeing and enhance self confidence.
Our teachers are AUSTSWIM accredited, and provide a safe, social and encouraging learning environment. To find out more, contact our friendly customer service team on (08) 8198 0198. -
Enrolment
Feel free to come into the centre and speak to one of our customer service officers, call us on (08) 8198 0198 or fill out the enquiry form on this page. We will provide you with an over the phone assessment to determine which level is best suited for you to begin.
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Student and parent features
Swimming lessons members receive:
- One 30-minute swimming lesson per week
- 12 make-up lessons per calendar year (with no more than four make-up lessons per term). See our make-up lessons policy for details.
- Access to Splash Park and the Leisure Pool outside lesson times. For further information please click here.
Parents of children will receive:
- Parent-teacher feedback week (conducted 6 monthly.)
- SwimDesk parent portal to allow you to track your child’s achievements as they progress through the swim program.
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Fees
Fortnightly direct debit Standard Rate (Starfish to Shark levels) $46.40 Price as at 18 March 2021. Please call us for all other rates including Junior Squad, Deep Fish, Access or Private.
Enrol or find out more
To request an over the phone enrolment or to find out more please complete the below form.
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Watch Around Water Policy Information
At YMCA Victoria we are a Watch Around Water endorsed aquatic safety organisation. The following information is the new watch around water policy launched in centre from 1 September 2019.
Watch Around Water is a set of industry guidelines outlining the minimum supervision requirements of young children at all affiliated aquatic venues.
Children under 5 years old
All Children MUST be accompanied into the Centre by a person over the age of 18 and supervised within arms’ reach, at all times in the water.
All children MUST wear a pink wristband supplied by YMCA staff to help identify their age while swimming.
Children will not be admitted without a full fee paying parent/guardian who must also be in the water at all times. Groups will not be admitted entry where the number of parents/guardians supervising a group of children under 5 years exceeds the ratio of 1:2 (effective September 1 2019).
Children under 10 years old
All Children under the age of 10 MUST be accompanied into the Centre by a person over the age of 18. All children MUST be actively supervised by an adult over the age of 18 at all times. The adult must have a clear and active view of the child with no physical or structural barriers between them (this includes tech and devices).
All children MUST wear a yellow wristband supplied by YMCA staff to help identify their age while swimming. Groups will not be admitted entry where the number of parents/guardians supervising a group of children under 10 years exceeds the ratio of 1:4.
Birthday Parties
All children under the age of 10 MUST be accompanied into the Centre by a person over the age of 18 and handed over to the supervision of the birthday party leader (staff member).
All birthday party participants must wear a BLUE wristband AND an age based wristband (pink or yellow) to identify their participation in a party (effective September 1 2019). The adult guardian of the birthday party child MUST remain accessible and actively supervise the group at all times.
At the conclusion of the birthday party the child/children will remain in the supervision of the birthday party leader and supervising parent until physically handed over to their supervising parent/guardian.
Visit the watch around water website
For more information visit the Watch Around Water website.
Current student & parent swimming lessons resources
For more information see our Swimming Lessons FAQ page