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Learn to Swim Ducklings

About the Ducklings Programme

Give your toddler a confident start in the water with our fun, structured Learn to Swim ‘Ducklings’ programme at the Sports and Wellness Hub.

Expert teachers, playful lessons and small class sizes help preschool-aged children build water confidence and develop a skill for life.

  • Swim lessons for 3-4 year-olds
  • 4 progressive awards to achieve - Each award is celebrated with a certificate and badge
  • From Duckling 1 (first splashes and bubble blowing) to Duckling 4 (jumping in, floating and swimming up to 10 metres)
  • Every stage is carefully structured to build confidence, independence and essential swimming skills

Discover the Ducklings stages

Ducklings 1
  • Make a supervised safe entry with adult support if required
  • Float on back with adult support behind the head without floatation equipment
  • Blow bubbles at the water surface
  • Wet the head without submersion
  • Kick 5 metres on back with adult support
  • Travel without adult support for 2 metres to a floating object
  • Enter the pool, rotate and return to the side with adult support
  • Exit the water safely with minimal adult support
Ducklings 2
  • Make a sitting entry with adult support if required
  • Rotate 180 degrees either using a log roll or an upright position, using floatation equipment and without adult support
  • Submerge the face with confidence and without force under adult supervision
  • Blow an object for a distance of 2 metres
  • Travel 3 metres using arms and/or legs without adult support
  • Move 5 metres along the rail or wall without adult support
  • Enter the pool, rotate and return to the side with minimal adult support
  • Exit the water safely with minimal adult support
Ducklings 3
  • Make a supervised jump to an adult with or without support
  • Float on the front or back without adult support
  • Push off on the front or back in a streamlined shape from a supporting adult
  • Blow bubbles with the mouth and nose underwater
  • Travel 5 metres on the front to the side of the pool without adult support
  • Kick 5 metres on the front holding a float (the adult may hold the other end of the float)
  • Enter the pool, rotate and return to the side without adult support
  • Climb out of the water with adult support if required
Ducklings 4
  • Jump into the water unaided, but supervised
  • Perform a mushroom or star float
  • Rotate 360 degrees either using a log roll or an upright position
  • Push and glide achieving a streamlined position on the front or back
  • Submerge completely
  • Travel 10 metres on the front or back, without adult support
  • Jump into the water, turn around, swim back to the point of entry and hold on to the side or rail
  • Climb out of the water with adult support if required

Need to know

Enrol your toddler today

Sign up to our Learn to Swim ‘Ducklings’ programme:

Need some help?

If you need some help or have a question about the Ducklings toddler swim lessons, please get in touch with our swim team.

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