Swimming Lesson FAQ’s

There are 5 main sections of the Learn to Swim Wales Framework:  

• Bubbles – Bubbles provides a fully supported introduction to the aquatic environment for babies and young children with an accompanying adult, specifically aimed at children aged 6 Months-3 years.  

• Splash –Splash encourages a young child’s increasingly independent and guided discovery of the aquatic environment to develop water confidence, specifically aimed at children aged 3+.  

• Wave – the main ‘Learn to Swim’ area. Children typically aged from 4/5 years are taught the necessary aquatic skills to teach them to swim, skills to take part in other aquatic activities such as water polo and are also taught vital water safety skills so that they learn how to be safe in and around water.  

• Skills – This section of the pathway breaks into the various aquatic disciplines of aquatics, water polo, diving, synchronised swimming and lifesaving. Skills taught in the Waves are progressed and developed with specific emphasis on being discipline specific. These classes can either be delivered in a Learn to Swim programme or at the introductory section of clubs.  

• Nofio Ysgol – Learning skills of water competence, water safety, ‘Learning through Play’ and developing Physical Literacy in the aquatic environment are the foundations of Nofio Ysgol. Skills developed work towards our Learn to Swim Waves. 

The Learn to Swim Wales pathway is designed to focus on the swimmer’s stage of development as opposed to their age.  However, as a guide the age ranges are:  

Bubbles – 6m – 3 years.  
Splash – 3 – 5 years  
Wave –4 years+ 
Skills –Dependant on ability (normally wave 5+) 

The time it takes for a child to learn to swim can vary greatly, just like any other new skill. Each child learns at their own pace and may find some aspects of swimming easier than others. If your child spends more time in the swimming pool outside of lessons, they are likely to progress faster. This extra time allows for more practice and helps build their confidence, especially when they are surrounded by close friends and family. 

Our Swimming Lessons cost £23 per month, payable via direct debit on the 15th of each month, or the next business day if the 15th falls on a weekend or bank holiday. With your Aqua Junior Direct Debit membership, you also enjoy the added benefit of free access to any of our public swim sessions, further supporting your child’s swimming development. 

Our swimming lessons are predominantly 30 minutes long in duration. In line with industry standards.  

Your child will need appropriate swimwear, such as a one-piece costume, trunks, or tight-fitting shorts. While fashion swimwear like board shorts may look stylish, they can actually make it harder for children to learn to swim due to increased water resistance. Some children might prefer to wear goggles in the pool, which can be essential for those who need glasses or contact lenses, as prescription goggles are available. 

We recommend that swimmers either tie their hair back securely or wear a swimming hat to minimize distractions or frustration from hair getting in their faces while swimming. It’s also advisable for swimmers to have a drinks bottle (non-glass) with water or weak squash during their lesson, as swimming pool environments are usually warm and staying hydrated is important. 

As your child progresses through the different lessons at times children will need to swim without goggles or swim wearing clothes. 

Always remember to bring a towel to get warm and dry after the lesson, as well as any toiletries needed for showering afterwards. 

If your child is unwell, it is important to consider their symptoms before deciding whether to bring them to class. If your child has flu-like symptoms such as a fever, vomiting, or stomach or digestion problems, they should not attend class. It is recommended to allow 48 hours to pass after these symptoms have subsided before returning to lessons. If your child has recently had cryptosporidiosis, you cannot attend the pool for 14 days from diagnosis This helps ensure that your child is fully recovered and reduces the risk of spreading illness to others. 

Swimming while sick can be risky and potentially spread illness to others. Here are some guidelines to consider: 

• Fever: If your child has had a fever within the last 24 hours (unmedicated), they should stay home and not attend swim lessons. Swimming can be demanding and exhausting, and a child with a fever is not well enough to benefit from the lessons 

• Minor Cold: If your child has a minor cold or is at the tail end of a cold and is acting mostly like their typical self, they are probably fine for swim lessons. The warm water and humid environment might even be soothing 

• Obvious Illness: If your child has a severe sore throat, continuous runny nose, persistent cough, or is just plain exhausted, they should stay home. In a small group lesson, germs can easily spread from one child to another 

• Doctor’s Approval: If your child is on antibiotics and the doctor gives the okay, they should be fine to attend their lesson 

• Trust Your Gut: If you feel your child isn’t up for lessons, trust your instincts. Your child’s health is most important, and sometimes a day of rest is what they need 

Please note that you will not be reimbursed for any missed lessons. Always prioritise your child’s health and well-being, and feel free to contact the centre if you have any concerns or need further guidance. 

All our Aquatic Instructors hold a recognised qualification. All our instructors are subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure according to current legislation and attend Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young people training every three years.  

The instructor will be teaching predominantly from the poolside. This position allows them to oversee the entire group, ensuring safety and providing appropriate feedback on each learner’s performance. By positioning themselves on the poolside, instructors can be easily seen and heard while maintaining a clear view of the entire class. However, in some lessons, swimming instructors do teach in the water to provide more hands-on guidance and support. This is mostly in the early Bubbles, Splash, and Waves classes. 

Absolutely! The Learn to Swim Wales Framework is designed to ensure that all swimmers, regardless of ability or disability, are taught the fundamental aquatic skills they can carry forward into any area of aquatics they wish to pursue. Please contact us directly to discuss your child’s specific needs.  

The earlier a child becomes familiar with the aquatic environment and being in and around water, the better. Even if you are not a strong swimmer, simply taking your child to the pool and playing and having fun in the water will help them build confidence and enjoy the positive experiences that water can bring. Additionally, if your child is currently enrolled in swimming lessons, their Aqua Junior Direct Debit membership allows them to swim for free in our public swim sessions. 

CoursePro is our booking system for lessons and sports courses. It helps ensure that all relevant information is clearly recorded and enhances communication with parents. 

HomePortal is your ultimate companion for managing swimming lessons and sports courses. With just a few clicks, you can monitor your child’s progress, make payments, move to new lessons, and book courses at a time that suits you. HomePortal allows you to take control of your child’s learning journey at your convenience. If you don’t have a HomePortal account or simply want to log in, click here HomePortal2. 

Our swimming instructors use MonLife mobile tablets or iPads to mark your child’s attendance and track the competencies they have achieved for their class. These devices also help the instructors keep track of the children’s names, any relevant medical conditions, and the specific outcomes they are working on in their lessons. 

Your child will be continually assessed throughout their swimming journey based on the Learn to Swim Wales Framework outcomes. The instructor will track the various outcomes that your child needs to pass to complete each lesson. As your child achieves each outcome, the instructor will mark it as fair, good, or passed, and this will be date-stamped so you can monitor your child’s progress on HomePortal2. There won’t be a final assessment, but to move to the next level, all outcomes must be achieved competently and consistently. As your child advances through the program, their achievements will be recognised with various awards, such as badges and certificates, which can be purchased from reception. 

Yes, you can track your child’s progress! By registering with Home Portal via the provided link – HomePortal2, you can monitor their progress, view completed badges, and move to the next level once they have passed. 

No, you will only have access to your Child’s information.  

When your child passes, the instructor will mark them as having completed all outcomes. They might inform you during the lesson, and you will also receive a notification via the Home Portal confirming that your child has passed.  

As soon as you are notified that your child has passed, you can move them. This can be done at Reception or through your HomePortal2. Please note that we do our best to ensure there is a space available for your child to move to, but if a suitable space is not immediately obtainable, your child will remain in their current lesson. 

Certificates and badges are available at reception at a cost of £2.95 each. 

To cancel your child’s swimming lessons, please contact our Membership team directly by phone or email on monmemberships@monmouthshire.gov.uk. Please provide your child’s name and details of the lessons they are enrolled in, and our staff will assist you with the cancellation process. 

If you have a Direct Debit membership, it can only be cancelled by contacting the Membership Team by the 10th of the month. After contacting the membership team, you will also need to inform your bank about the cancellation. Please note that no cancellation can be processed at any of our Leisure Centres, and only the account holder can cancel the direct debit instruction. Please see our full Terms & Conditions for any further guidance: Swimming Lessons Terms & Conditions 

In some circumstances, we may need to cancel lessons due to unforeseen events such as essential maintenance, facility refurbishments, adverse weather conditions, health and safety issues, or training. When this happens, we will try to inform you as soon as possible via phone or email, so please ensure we have your up-to-date contact details. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for further guidance: Swimming Lessons Terms & Conditions.