Edinburgh Leisure follows the Scottish Swimming Adult & Child Water Activities Programme and offers a range of sessions at our swimming pools throughout the city, from Adult & Baby (4-12 months) up to Adult & Child (12 – 40 months).

During the sessions, babies and young children can enjoy music, songs and games which help develop movement, balance, propulsion skills and breath control ensuring that learning to swim is a natural and seamless progression. Water confidence is ensured as parents learn to help baby enjoy the water and the stimulation it offers. Our experienced team will help guide you through this exciting stage of your child’s development and maybe teach you a few new songs and rhymes along the way!

Edinburgh Leisure offers two types of sessions, led by teachers qualified to ASA Teacher of Swimming (level 2) with the essential ASA Adult & Child qualification. Classes are bookable in blocks (find the one you need in our activity search), with some classes being offered on a ‘Pay as You Go Basis’ .

Children can look forward to regular Scottish Swimming awards (badge and/or certificate) such as ‘Duckling’ and 'Tadpole', in addition to the fun and motivating delivery style of our tem. The Adult & Child water activities sessions lead directly to our pre-school programme, further helping to develop aquatic skills such as floating, breath control and water confidence, essential for stroke development.

If you want to give your child a head start and more importantly, enjoy spending time together in the water playing and learning, the adult and baby / child sessions are a great way to begin. You will have the chance to chat and socialise with the other parents and this is actively encouraged to help parents recognise different development stages and the skills being achieved by other children.

Immunisation is recommended but not a condition of entry, and parents are advised not to take babies swimming whilst they are under the weather as the colder water may tire them out and extend the illness.