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Swimming classes for babies

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  • 04-10-2015 10:13am
    #1
    Penny Dreadful
    Registered Users Posts: 3,041 ✭✭✭


    Hi all, I've been taken my little girl to swimming classes with Waterbabies for a while now and while the first term was great and I was delighted with it I'm less than impressed with the second term.
    So far the classes have been cancelled twice due to a problem getting the pool to the correct temperature and the teacher this term seems to be less interested than the teacher we had the first term.
    Aslo the jump between the classes seems to be too much this time around I think.
    Given how much the classes are I would expect more.

    Have any of you used any other companies for lessons for your babies and if so would you recommend them?


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    #2
    lazygal
    Registered Users Posts: 12,644 ✭✭✭✭lazygal


    We bring ours to an open toddler and parents swim session. I personally don't think they need or benefit from lessons until they're older. We pay as we go so no cost if we miss a week. They'll happily paddle around and love the water.


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    #3
    Millem
    Registered Users Posts: 7,729 ✭✭✭Millem


    Penny if you are Southside they do baby swimming classes in rathmines pool which I think are much cheaper than waterbabies etc. my friend brings her son and he loves it ;) they have a teacher.

    At the weekend the pool in cheeverstown is open to the public (I keep meaning to go!!) and it is meant to be lovely and warm much warmer than the waterbabies etc. you just go yourself for a splash/dip/paddle. There is no teacher.

    I would go to cheeverstown over all the waterbabies, swim babies, turtle tots etc.
    The other option is the parent and swim slots in a regular swimming pool (no teacher)


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    #4
    Penny Dreadful
    Registered Users Posts: 3,041 ✭✭✭Penny Dreadful


    I found the first term with water babies great as was get teacher. This second term has been a disappointment. I'm really only doing the classes for a little while so that I get to learn how to teach her and have enough knowledge to stop with the formal lessons for a while but just continue so she is happy and confident in the water.

    Cheeverstown would be ok so I'll check it out. Turtle Tots also sounds good and is cheaper. They're opening up classes in North Dublin apparently but I haven't had any confirmation as to where they will be as of yet.


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    #5
    Millem
    Registered Users Posts: 7,729 ✭✭✭Millem


    Penny Dreadful wrote: »
    I found the first term with water babies great as was get teacher. This second term has been a disappointment. I'm really only doing the classes for a little while so that I get to learn how to teach her and have enough knowledge to stop with the formal lessons for a while but just continue so she is happy and confident in the water.

    Cheeverstown would be ok so I'll check it out. Turtle Tots also sounds good and is cheaper. They're opening up classes in North Dublin apparently but I haven't had any confirmation as to where they will be as of yet.

    I know turtle tots is in terenure college. My neighbours bring their kids swimming there for the "family swim" but they said pool wouldn't be anyway near as warm as cheeverstown.
    Are there any swimming pools like cheeverstown on the northside open to non service users? Like crc/enable ireland etc? Or Stewarts hospital in palmerstown? I would say their pools would be like a bath ;)


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    #6
    sm213
    Registered Users Posts: 280 ✭✭sm213


    Millem wrote: »
    I know turtle tots is in terenure college. My neighbours bring their kids swimming there for the "family swim" but they said pool wouldn't be anyway near as warm as cheeverstown.
    Are there any swimming pools like cheeverstown on the northside open to non service users? Like crc/enable ireland etc? Or Stewarts hospital in palmerstown? I would say their pools would be like a bath ;)

    I've seen before that Stewarts opens to public but that was a while ago. Not sure if they still do.


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    #7
    Millem
    Registered Users Posts: 7,729 ✭✭✭Millem


    sm213 wrote: »
    I've seen before that Stewarts opens to public but that was a while ago. Not sure if they still do.

    I actually worked there years ago...great set up for the service users. No idea if they still open but it is worth a phone call. I would say it is like a bath!
    My own school has a pool which has a parent and child swim but it would be too cold for my fella!


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    #8
    RentDayBlues
    Registered Users Posts: 2,131 ✭✭✭RentDayBlues


    I probably going against the grain but I think it's really important to get them comfortable with water from a young age

    We do swimming in the mespil pool

    My 3 year just started proper swimming lessons after 2 1/2 years of baby/toddler swimming, she is loving it and doing really well

    My 19 month old is doing toddler swimming with the hope of moving to full swimming lessons when she's 2 1/2, she's been doing baby swimming since 11 weeks

    It's about safety in water and eventually it'll be learning to swim but it's been invaluable to both of mine

    We never did waterbabies; quite a few friends have and the reviews have not been very positive


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    #9
    pwurple
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭pwurple


    The water babies class I watched (before waiting to get in the pool with my baby for 3 euros a go) seemed like the marketing was their main focus. Cd's , t shirts, all the gear and the photography sessions.

    Anyway, the cuidiu parenting groups also organise baby swimming. I think it's great when the babies get used to the water. We've been bringing both our children since they were very small, and it's great to see the confidence when they are older. Side bonus, it's about a tenth of the cost.


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    #10
    foodaholic
    Registered Users Posts: 1,513 ✭✭✭foodaholic


    I have my daughter in waterbabies since she was 3 months. She is 3 now and can swim a full width unaided. No armbands etc. She can duvets the bottom of the pool and float on her back. It's amazing to see her confidence in the water.

    While I agree it's expensive it's a life skill
    I haven't bought any waterbabies products other than the happy nappy, and have never felt pressure to do so


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    #11
    John Mason
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 10,661 ✭✭✭✭John Mason


    You can do drop in baby classes in Ballymun swimming pool - €5

    It's just as good as Water babies. we loved it.


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    #12
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    We did one term of waterbabies.It was ok, but I don't really see the point in structured classes for small babies.Both the OH and I are very good swimmers so our little one (15 mths) is going to lessons at a later date no matter what.For now we bring her to an open family hour once a week and she loves it. She's totally happy in the water, goes in and out no bother....time to perfect her stroke at a later date :-)For now she's comfortable and enjoying herself with no fear, and learning a bit....that's ok by us.


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