Swimming for Children
We have over 20 years of experience in helping the children and adults of Edinburgh learn to swim. You can be sure that our lessons are expertly designed and delivered to get the best from each child at each stage, at an affordable price, in a fun and supportive environment.
Learn to swim with us
At our heart there’s a very special team of highly qualified and motivated swim teachers ( SSTQ and Level 2), who are supported to consistently provide the highest standards of teaching for each child.
And it’s not just about learning to swim, our kids have opportunities to:
- take part in our small and large galas, competing with kids from their own pool and pools across Edinburgh
- try out introductions to clubs and taster club sessions
- enjoying keeping fit in the water with our junior skills and drills, try diving or waterpolo
Try Before You Buy!
From 24 and 30 April, we’re offering £3.00 taster sessions for children under 5 – the perfect chance to try our coaching lessons before joining the full programme.
Find the right class
We have over 20 years of experience in helping the children and adults of Edinburgh learn to swim. So you can be sure that our lessons are expertly designed and delivered to get the best from each child at each stage in a fun and supportive environment.
Scottish Swimming National Framework
Our swim classes follow the new Scottish Swimming National Framework (supported by Scottish Water).
This ensures consistency across swim programmes in all Scottish leisure trusts. It also provides access to additional teacher support material and allows us to contribute to the Learn to Swim programme in Scotland.
For more details, click the links below.
Booking a Coaching Class
You can use our Coaching HomePortal to book and pay online for classes. Click here for more information on how to activate and use the HomePortal.
Learn to Swim Early Years
Our Pre-School programme specifically designed for ages 0 – 4 years aims teaches you how to safely handle your baby in water and gently introduces your child to the exciting world of aquatics. It will take your child through a seamless journey to becoming a safer independent, confident swimmer.
Swim Baby
A fun relaxed class for both you and your baby. The use of songs and structured play will encourage safe handling of your baby in the water and will ensure a great start to your baby’s swimming journey. This class is suitable for children from 0 to 1 year with a parent/carer accompanying them in the water.
Swim Toddler
The class again uses songs and structured play to encourage your toddler to become more independent and confident in the water. This class is suitable for children aged 1 to 2 years with a parent/carer accompanying them in the water.
Swim Nippers
For children aged 2 to 4 years with a parent/carer accompanying them in the water. Children’s water confidence and independence will grow and grow through structured play, songs, and games.
Swim Pre-School
For children aged 3.5+, your child will work independently learning through structured play and will develop their water confidence and ability to perform a range of aquatic skills without the support of buoyancy aids.
Learn to Swim Junior Classes
Children will move from a basic understanding of the strokes and how to move through water through to developed stroke techniques, tumble turns and race starts.
Swim Skills 1
An introductory level aimed at developing water confidence of children with little/ no prior experience of learning to swim. This class is for children 5 years (or have started primary school) and over who are new to swimming or for those who are not yet swimming confidently over 3 metres unaided. Duration of class is 25mins.
Swim Skills 1+
This class is a continuation of Swim Skills 1, where children will further develop water confidence and develop core aquatic skills without aids. This class is for children aged 5 years and over (or have started primary school) who can swim confidently for 3 metres on their front and back unaided. Duration of class is 25mins.
Swim Skills 2
In Swim Skills 2, children will increase the competency of the core aquatic skills and develop basic stroke technique. This class is suitable for children who have an understanding of stroke technique and who can swim 10 metres Front crawl and Back crawl as well as attempting Breaststroke and Butterfly leg actions. Depending on the venue, this level may take place in deep water so children need to be both confident in the water and able to tread water when out of their depth. Duration of class is 25mins.
Swim Skills 3
Children who are competent at swimming 15m in a ‘recognisable’ stroke e.g front crawl, back crawl or breaststroke, will be introduced to a more advanced stroke technique. Duration of class is 25mins.
Swim Skills 4
Children who can maintain the correct technique over 25m in Front crawl, Back crawl and Breaststroke and can demonstrate basic Butterfly. Children will continue to develop a quality technique while gradually increasing distance. Children will move from SS4 to Junior Skills and drills. Duration of class is 25mins.
Advanced Junior Classes
Part of the LTS Aquatic Pathway these classes are for those looking to develop more advanced skills. Participants are required to have completed Swim Skills 4 as part of the Learn to Swim pathway. All of the advanced classes are 50 minutes in duration.