Gentle, Confidence-Building Baby Swimming Lessons in Stafford
Fun, sensory-led sessions for babies and toddlers aged 3 months to 5 years — designed to nurture confidence, bonding, and early water skills in a calm, supportive setting.
Why Start Swimming Early?
Our baby and toddler lessons offer more than just water time – they’re a gentle, nurturing introduction to swimming that supports your child’s physical, emotional, and sensory development.
From floating and splashing to singing and bonding, every session builds confidence and trust – in the water, in you, and in themselves.
Our Baby & Toddler Programme
Our baby and preschool programme gently introduces little ones to the water through the trusted STA Starfish and Stanley Awards.
From first splashes at 3 months to confident paddling by preschool age, each stage supports your child’s development through play, connection, and growing independence.
Whether they’re floating with you or taking their first unaided kicks, every session builds water confidence and sets the foundation for a lifelong love of swimming.
Swimwell Babies
Designed for babies from 3 months old, these calm, sensory-led sessions offer a gentle introduction to the water. With you right beside them, your baby will experience floating, splashing, and soothing movement in a warm, welcoming environment. It’s the perfect start to building water confidence, body awareness, and a joyful connection between you and your little one.
- Suitable from 3 months
- Parent & baby in the water
- Focus on bonding, comfort & early water discovery
Swimwell Toddlers
As your little one becomes more mobile, these sessions introduce more playful movement, games, and basic water skills. Still with you in the water, toddlers start to develop confidence in floating, kicking, and responding to simple instructions — all while having fun and exploring at their own pace.
- For toddlers ready to move and explore
- Builds early independence and coordination
- Gently introduces water skills through play
Stanley Stars
For toddlers aged 2–3 who are nearly ready to swim without a parent, Stanley Stars offers the perfect transition. With a focus on water confidence, safety, and basic swimming movements, these sessions are supportive and structured — helping toddlers gain independence in the water while still feeling secure and encouraged.
- Great for toddlers ready for more structured learning
- Encourages early independence
- Prepares for preschool-level Stanley Super Stars (3–5)
Stanley Super Stars
For children aged 3 to 5 who are new to swimming lessons, Stanley Super Stars is the perfect place to start. These fun, engaging sessions focus on building early confidence, coordination, and safety in the water – all without a parent in the pool. With gentle support from our experienced teachers, young swimmers begin to explore floating, kicking, and basic strokes in a structured yet playful environment.
- Ideal for children aged 3-5 new to lessons
- Prepares children for Swimwell Grade 1
- Focus on confidence, movement & fun
Not Sure Which Level Is Right?
We’re here to help you find the perfect starting point for your child.
The Benefits of Baby Swimming Lessons
There are some incredible benefits of taking your baby swimming that go beyond just having fun.
Early Water Confidence
Introducing your baby to water early on helps build their water confidence and comfort, setting the stage for a lifetime of enjoyable swimming experiences.
Physical Development
Swimming engages those tiny muscles and enhances motor skills, coordination, and balance. It’s a fantastic way to support your baby’s overall physical development.
Cognitive Boost
Splashing around encourages sensory stimulation and cognitive growth. The water environment provides a unique sensory experience that can contribute to your baby’s brain development.
Bonding Time
What’s better than bonding over shared experiences? Baby swimming offers quality one-on-one time that deepens the connection between you and your baby.
Early Water Safety
Familiarising your baby with water from an early age can contribute to water safety awareness later on. They can gradually learn to respond to water and develop important water safety skills.
Social Interaction
Baby swimming classes provide an excellent opportunity for your little one to interact with other babies and parents. It’s a fun and friendly environment for making new friends!
Lifelong Love for Water
Starting early can foster a love for water activities that can carry into childhood and beyond. Your baby might grow up to be a confident swimmer who enjoys water sports and adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What do I take to my baby's first swimming session?
We suggest the following items:
- Swim nappy and happy nappy
- Costume / baby wet suit
- Towels
- Hairbrush
- Yourself
- A bag for all your wet kit
Does my baby need to be fully immunised before they start their lessons?
Your Baby will not need to have had their immunisations before they start lessons, however if your child was premature, we would ask that you check with your health practitioner first.
See also further information on the NHS website here.
When should I feed my baby?
Try and time your baby’s feed about an hour before their lesson.
We understand this is not always possible, so if your child is hungry in the pool we encourage you to meet your child’s needs and feed them when required.
How do you deliver swimming lessons?
We offer swimming lessons for babies, toddlers, pre-school and beyond all the way through to competitive level.
We are both a Swim England accredited swim school and a certified Aqua sensory centre. Our teachers are qualified to the highest level.
Our focus at the beginning is on water confidence and child-led independence, progressing to teacher led development with skills and practices to cover all aquatic disciplines.
Do adults go in the pool in baby swimming sessions?
Yes, one adult must be able to enter the water with each Baby and Pre-schooler. The adult is exclusively responsible for the safety of the baby and toddler in the pool, the changing area and around the pool.
All makeup, cosmetic products and oils and creams must be removed before entry to the pool, to stop contamination.
Babies and children that are not toilet trained must wear a double nappy
How do I book?
Please head to here and answer the simple questionnaire to find the most suitable class and availability.
If there is no lessons available showing please email the office to be added to the waiting list.
How are payments made?
Swimming lessons are paid for through our card subscription service.
Lessons are £15 per lesson and charged monthly averaged over 11 months (August is a payment free month due to holidays)
A 3 week deposit is also made upon booking to cover a cancellation period. This is held on your account until notice to finish lessons is made.
Once booked and paid for the lessons are yours and will roll over monthly, there is no re- booking period.
There is a 3 week notice to cancel. Cancellation should be emailed to office@swimwell.org.uk
What happens if I don't want to continue lessons with Swimwell?
You can cancel your lessons at anytime by sending an email to office@swimwell.org.uk. Under extreme circumstances contact the office to discuss early cancellation.
Cancel anytime and your 3 week cancelation period will be activated. Any overpayment will be refunded onto your payment card.
When do sessions run?
Sessions run every week except for the following school holidays :
- Christmas Break (2 weeks)
- Easter (2 weeks)
- Summer (6 weeks)
From September 2025 sessions will run in half term holidays.
Do you offer a trial session?
No, we don’t offer trial sessions, and there are a couple of reasons for this.
Firstly, if you book a trial and love the lesson, we wouldn’t be able to guarantee that a space would be available the following week and this can cause disappointment.
Also, we know that some children will take a couple of weeks to settle into any new activity, so a trial doesn’t always give you a full opportunity to assess the session.
You can join our lessons at any time. Here at Swimwell we are confident that you will love our lessons as much as we do but if, for whatever reason, you decide they aren’t for you, you can leave at any time (refer to our cancellation policy for more information).
If my baby is ill can we still come swimming?
Here are common symptoms and what we advise.
- Runny noses – it is green we advise you stay away
- Temperature – we advise not to go swimming
- Unwell with sickness – we ask you don’t bring them for the next 48 hours
- Diarrhoea – we ask that they don’t attend swimming for 14 days
Are there changing facilities at the pools?
Rugeley has a private changing space and wet room available.
Is there car parking at the pools?
Our private pool in Rugeley has private parking. Details of the private parking are confirmed in an email upon booking.
Ready to Get Started?
We’d love to welcome you and your child to Swimwell.