Preschool swimming lessons with the Y focus on developing your child's basic skills in swimming, survival and water safety.
Our preschool swimming lessons are suitable for children from three years to school entry age. We guide children through fun activities, gradually building upon their breathing, floating and movement skills.
Throughout the program, your child will become more independent and confident in the water. They will also begin to develop important water survival skills.
Children will learn skills in:
- body orientation;
- propulsion and submersion;
- basic stroke development;
- personal water safety.
Our swimming teachers
Our teachers hold nationally accredited swimming teacher and water safety certificates, as well as specialised qualifications for teaching children under four years. They have current CPR certificates, Working with Children Checks and have training in safeguarding children and young people.
Preschool swimming levels
Your child will progress through the program levels based on their ability, which is assessed by our swimming teachers and program coordinators through an ongoing assessment schedule.
Below is an overview of some of the skills your child will learn in each level.
In some instances not all preschool program levels will be offered depending on local progression rates. Regardless, all levels of preschool children will be catered for.
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Prices
Please see the current prices below for preschool swimming lessons.
Fortnightly direct debit Concession fortnightly direct debit Standard rate $30.60 $22.90 Payment for our swimming lesson membership is taken fortnightly by direct debit, with the total cost spread out across the year with 26 equal payments. This minimises the cost impact to families and ensures your membership is easy to maintain.
No lock-in contracts – simply provide 14 days' written notice to cancel.
We review our prices each year. -
What benefits do swimming lessons members receive?
Swimming lessons members receive:
- 48 swimming lessons per year – one per week;
- unlimited pool access for the student, along with a supervising parent – great for practise or play;
- access to the pools across Latrobe during operating times;
- 10% merchandise discount;
- access to four make-up lessons per year for children who miss a lesson;
- optional summer suspension during non-program weeks;
- certificates for each level of the program achieved.
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What should I bring to preschool swimming lessons?
- Swimwear for your child
- Dry clothes
- Towel
- Goggles (recommended)
We also recommend that parents bring swimwear for themselves during the first few lessons in case your child needs your support in the water.
If your child is still in nappies, you will also need to bring aqua nappies that fit tightly around the thighs. Don't worry if you don't have any or forget to pack them – you can buy them in centre. -
What are your safety requirements?
To provide a safe environment for your child, parents / carers must:
- come to the edge of the pool at the start of the lesson and directly hand over your child to the teacher;
- watch the swimming lesson and remain in the centre at all times;
- stay as close as possible to the lesson (such as by sitting in the chairs around the pool);
- come to the edge of the pool at the end of lesson and collect your child;
- only take photos in the pool area with prior arrangement (never in the changing room area).
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Are preschool swimming lessons accessible?
We can develop swimming lessons on request to cater for children with special needs. This may be in a small group setting or a 1:1 class, depending on the needs of the child.
How to enrol in swimming lessons
To enrol in preschool swimming lessons, please submit the enquiry form.For more information see our swimming lessons FAQs page
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Watch Around Water policy information
YMCA Victoria is a Watch Around Water endorsed aquatic safety organisation. Watch Around Water is a set of industry guidelines that outline the minimum supervision requirements of young children at aquatic venues.
We have followed the Watch Around Policy (outlined below) in our centre since 1 September 2019.Children under five years old
- All children must be accompanied into the centre by a person over the age of 18 and be supervised within arms’ reach at all times in the water.
- All children must wear a pink wristband supplied by YMCA staff to help identify their age while swimming.
- Children will not be admitted without a full fee paying parent/guardian who must also be in the water at all times.
- Groups will not be admitted entry where the number of parents/guardians supervising a group of children under five years exceeds the ratio of 1:2.
Children under 10 years old
- All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied into the centre by a person over the age of 18.
- All children must be actively supervised by an adult over the age of 18 at all times. The adult must have a clear and active view of the child with no physical or structural barriers between them (this includes tech and devices
- such as mobile phones).
- All children must wear a yellow wristband supplied by YMCA staff to help identify their age while swimming.
- Groups will not be admitted entry where the number of parents/guardians supervising a group of children under 10 years exceeds the ratio of 1:4.
For more information visit the Watch Around Water website.