Elephant and Castle Baby Swimming
Elephant & Castle Parent and Baby Swimming classes
Our indoor pool is local to Walworth, Elephant & Castle and Southwark. It is also not too far from Bermondsey. It’s a lovely pool that’s always warm and beautifully looked after – perfect for your little one!
A parent or guardian must accompany the baby in the pool for each lesson, making it a special bonding time too.
Our classes for babies start as young as 6 weeks and you can progress to toddler and preschool classes.
Baby classes are nice and small, so your and your baby can build confidence at your own pace, while having lots of fun along the way.
Swimming lessons at Darwin Court
Friday lessons only
Baby, Toddler and Pre-school from 2pm – 3:30pm
🌊 Discover our Elephant & Castle Pool
Located in the Darwin Court Healthy Living Centre, it’s an indoor heated pool which measures 15m by 5m. All the pools we use for our baby classes are heated to the recommended temperatures for little ones — at least 30°C for babies over six months, and 32°C for babies up to three months.
There is space for parents and carers to sit on the side of the pool. A cafe in the centre is great for refreshments before or after your lesson.
Toilets, showers and changing facilities are available.
Reviews of Elephant & Castle Baby Swimming lessons…
Before you Swim: What you need to know
Which To Bring?
Towels for you both!
And don’t forget your own swimming costume
*Babies are required to wear a swim nappy under a neoprene swim nappy to ensure there are no leaks in the pool.
30 minute lesson
Child to teacher ratio 4:1
To make swimming lessons as affordable and accessible as possible, we’re pleased to offer a monthly subscription which spreads the cost evenly over 11 months of the year.
Monthly subscription:
Weekdays – £85
See T&Cs for full details.
First time swimming with a baby?
Don’t worry we will talk you through it.
And you can get all you need with our new baby swim kit bags!
only
£57.99
Bundle Save!
Meet Your Teacher
We have a dedicated swimming teacher at our Elephant & Castle swimming pool. All our teachers are either Swim England or Swimming Teachers Association Level 2 qualified or above (or hold equivalent certification).
They all hold relevant first aid certification and all have up to date DBS certificates – to ensure the safety of your children.
Maia w
“I have been swimming since I was 6 months old. I’ve always enjoyed being in the water and competed in swimming with my number one stroke being butterfly.”
“I love being able to spread my love of swimming onto other kids and adults who wish to discover and learn swimming!”
What we teach
The focus is to teach your baby to gradually become more independent in the water in a fun and stimulating environment, making sure that being in the water is a pleasant experience from day 1.
Teaching water safety is the key priority.
We work with your baby’s development at each stage, helping them develop their gross and minor motor skills, whilst building strength in their muscles to aid with head position, sitting, crawling and much, much more!
We often play music in the background and sing songs, which keep the classes fun and moving. Classes are a great opportunity for you and your baby to interact with other babies and their parents / guardians.
Babies grow so quickly don’t they! Our course content has been developed to make sure it complements each stage in your child’s development and divides into:
Baby 1, which is for approximately 6 weeks – 10 months old
Baby 2, which is from 10-18 months old, and
Baby 3, which is from 18-24 months old
Baby 4, which is from 2 to 3.5 years old.
Location and Directions
Nearest Tube
The nearest tube station is Elephant & Castle Underground.
Nearest Bus Stop
The following buses serve the area and stop as per the accompanying map.
Here is a handy map of the bus stops nearby.
Parking
There is paid on street parking.
FAQs
Your questions answered about our parent and baby swimming classes with Cindy’s Swim School! Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have a question that we haven’t answered. Keep us on our toes!
What Age Can my Baby Start Swimming Lessons?
In our classes, babies can start swimming from 6 weeks old, as long as they’re healthy and you feel ready. It’s a lovely way to bond and build water confidence right from the start.
If your little one was born prematurely, it’s best to check in with your GP first, just to make sure they’re ready for the pool.
New mums are usually advised to wait until after their 6-week postnatal check before getting back in the water — but in the meantime, Dads, grandparents, or other family members are more than welcome to join your baby in class.
Does My Baby Need to Be Vaccinated
No need to wait — your baby can start swimming lessons even if they haven’t had all their vaccinations yet.
According to NHS guidance, it’s completely safe for babies to go swimming from birth, as long as they’re healthy. There’s no medical reason to delay swimming until after vaccinations. So, if you and your little one are ready, we’d love to welcome you to the pool.
If you’re ever unsure or have specific health concerns, it’s always a good idea to check in with your GP for peace of mind.
What if my baby cries?
It’s okay — and totally normal. Some babies cry a little (or even a lot!) when they’re experiencing something new, and that’s perfectly natural. The pool can be full of unfamiliar sights, sounds, and sensations, so it might take a little time for them to feel completely at ease.
We always take things gently and go at your baby’s pace, with plenty of cuddles, songs, and encouragement along the way. With a bit of patience and consistency, most little ones settle in beautifully — and before you know it, they’ll be splashing and smiling with confidence.
Do I need to be a confident swimmer to attend lessons with my baby?
Not at all. You don’t need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy baby swimming lessons — just comfortable being in the water and holding your baby.
Our classes are held in shallow, warm water, and you’ll always be within standing depth. You won’t be expected to swim or go underwater yourself. Our friendly instructors are there to guide and support you every step of the way, so you can focus on bonding with your baby and enjoying the experience together.
Is the pool warm enough for my baby?
Absolutley!
Babies are more sensitive to the cold than we are, so it’s really important that the water is warm.
That’s why all the pools we use for our baby classes are heated to the recommended temperatures for little ones — at least 30°C for babies over six months, and 32°C for babies up to three months.
Can my baby still come to class if they have a cold or feel unwell?
If your baby has a mild cold but is otherwise happy, eating well, and full of smiles, you’re very welcome to come along to class. A splash in the warm water can even help lift their mood!
However, if your little one has a fever or a more serious illness — like a chest infection, ear infection, conjunctivitis, sickness, or diarrhoea — it’s best to let them rest and recover at home.
Following NHS guidance, we kindly ask that babies and children wait at least two weeks after a tummy bug (diarrhoea and vomiting) has completely cleared before coming back to swim. This helps us keep the pool safe and clean for everyone.
If you ever feel unsure, just drop us a message — we’re here to help and happy to chat things through.
What happens if we miss a class?
Yes, we do!
We know that little ones can get poorly from time to time, so if your baby isn’t feeling well and you can’t make your usual class, you’re welcome to request a catch-up session.
All you need to do is email us at least an hour before your class starts — no need for a doctor’s note or explanation. Each baby can have up to two catch-up sessions per term, subject to availability.
While we can’t carry missed classes over into future terms, we’ll always do our best to help you stay on track and enjoy your time in the pool.
