Baby Swimming in South London
Baby Swimming lessons that are safe, educational and fun!
Start your baby’s swimming journey with Cindy’s Swim School and help teach them a core life skill, so they grow up confident, safe and happy around water!
Our baby swimming lessons start from as early as 6 weeks old and continue up to age 3. We have some wonderful pools located throughout South London, including locations in Brixton, Wandsworth, Tooting, Elephant & Castle, and Southfields — all easily accessible from surrounding areas. Our pools are smaller and quieter than public pools which we find is ideal for babies and small children. We see them make huge leaps in swimming skills and building water confidence.
Search for a lesson and pool:
Use our filters to find the right location and lesson for you.
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.
See KaiA & Tau's baby stages
See videos and images of what baby swimming is really like! Cindy and Mark’s children make their way through the baby and toddler swimming stages.
What you need to know
Which Pools?
Van Gogh Primary School, Brixton
Earlsfield Rd, Wandsworth
Greenmead Pool, Southfields
Sellincourt Primary School, Tooting
Darwin Court Pool, Elephant & Castle
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 – £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!
What our customers say…
What to expect
A teacher supporting your baby
To be effective at teaching, we demonstrate movement and physically help our pupil perfect those movements in the pool. This may involve the teacher supporting your baby in a considerately hands on way.
child protection
All of our staff are DBS checked for child protection purposes.
Catch up lessons
We understand that sometimes the schedule of little ones can be affected if they pick up a bug or just have a bad day, so we provide for two catch up lessons per term in case you miss a class (please read our Ts and Cs for more details).
What to bring
Neoprene swim nappy
£10.00
Both a neoprene swim nappy and a reusable swim nappy are required for each lesson. Wear the neoprene swim nappy over the top of a swim nappy.
Reusable swim nappy
£8.99
The reuseable water nappy fits comfortably underneath the neoprene water shorts.
Towel
£19.99
A hooded towel is handy to keep baby warm after their swim lesson.
Also Don’t Forget…
Your own swimming costume
A parent or guardian must accompany their child in the pool for every lesson.
Inroducing Our Complete
Baby Swim Kit Bag!
only
£57.99
Bundle Save!
We’ve made it easy for you and put everything you need for baby swimming lessons together in one place with our baby swim kit.
Our parent and baby swim kit bag includes an attractive, sturdy tote bag, a reusable nappy, a neoprene nappy for outer wear, a cute and cuddly animal towel for your baby, and a fun, mould-free floaty toy.
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.
