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.

    Enquire today

    Tadpole

    For children from three years to school-age. Children learn: push and glide with bubbles‎, independent submersion with bubbles‎, aided jump entry and return to edge, extended arm paddle‎, aided kick on front and back, aided treading water, torpedo three metres. At this level, children achieve one National Swimming and Water Safety benchmark skill! Class size: five students.
    Goldfish

    For children from three years to school-age. Children learn: jump entry and return to edge, independent rollover, how to recover an object from chest-deep water, freestyle and backstroke basics, introductory survival backstroke, and to tread water for 15 seconds. At this level, children achieve five new National Swimming and Water Safety benchmark skills. Class size: five students.
    Flying fish

    For children from three years to school-age. Children learn: step in entry and recovery, freestyle and backstroke (10 metres), introduction to breaststroke and butterfly kick, duck dive, how to swim underwater and recover an object, and how to throw an aid and direct a swimmer to safety. At this level, children achieve one new National Swimming and Water Safety benchmark skill. Class size: five students.

    • Prices

      Please see the current prices below for preschool swimming lessons.

        Price per lesson Fortnightly direct debit
      Standard rate $17.20 $33.00

      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:

      • 46 swimming lessons per year – one per week;
      • unlimited pool access for the student, along with a supervising parent – great for practise or play;
      • 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.

      Parents of children will receive:

      • access to SwimDesk parent portal to track your child’s achievements as they progress through the program.
    • 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). 
    • 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 with the Y

    To enrol in preschool swimming lessons, please submit the enquiry form on this page.

    Our friendly customer service team will then be in touch.

    If you would like to find out more or book a trial lesson, please contact us.

    For more information see our swimming lessons FAQs page

    FAQs
    • Watch Around Water policy

      At YMCA Victoria we are a Watch Around Water endorsed aquatic safety organisation. The following information is the new watch around water policy launched in centre from 1 September 2019.

      Watch Around Water is a set of industry guidelines outlining the minimum supervision requirements of young children at all affiliated aquatic venues.

      Children under 5 years old

      All children MUST be accompanied into the centre by a person over the age of 18 and 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 5 years exceeds the ratio of 1:2 (effective 1 September 2019).

      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).

      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.

      Birthday parties

      All children under the age of 10 MUST be accompanied into the centre by a person over the age of 18 and handed over to the supervision of the birthday party leader (staff member).

      All birthday party participants must wear a BLUE wristband AND an age based wristband (pink or yellow) to identify their participation in a party (effective 1 September 2019). The adult guardian of the birthday party child MUST remain accessible and actively supervise the group at all times.

      At the conclusion of the birthday party the child/children will remain in the supervision of the birthday party leader and supervising parent until physically handed over to their supervising parent/guardian.

      Visit the watch around water website

      For more information visit the Watch Around Water website.