Water safety for under fives
Few things beat the sound of a toddler giggling in the water. Splashing in the bath, running under the sprinkler and bobbing about at the local pool are some of the best parts of an Australian childhood, and they're also the first steps towards a skill your child will use for life.
There's plenty of good news for families, too. Child drowning rates in Australia are the lowest on record, thanks to parents who keep watch, fence their pools and get their little ones into lessons early.
And if your little one already lights up at bath time, you might be wondering how soon they can start lessons of their own.
When can babies start swimming lessons?
Baby swimming lessons generally start at around 6 months, and you can take your baby into the water from around 2 months. Parents of children aged 0 to 4 are encouraged to enrol in water familiarisation lessons, which help little ones feel comfortable and confident in the water.
Most swim schools start babies and toddlers in parent-and-child classes, where you're in the water together. Around the age of 3, many children are ready to move into small classes with a teacher, without a parent in the pool.
What do toddlers learn in swimming lessons?
Swimming lessons for under fives focus on enjoying the water and building confidence, with water safety skills woven in through songs and games. As your child grows, lessons build step by step.
- Water familiarisation. Getting comfortable with splashing, blowing bubbles and getting their face wet.
- Confidence in the water. Learning to float, kick, turn around and reach the edge.
- Safe entry and exit. Getting in and out of the pool safely, and waiting for an adult before getting in.
- Early strokes. Kicking and paddling to cover short distances.
- Safety skills. As children grow stronger, lessons introduce skills like swimming in clothes, and later, swimming between the flags at the beach.
Along the way, your child also learns important water safety habits, like always asking an adult before going near the water.
What are the benefits of swimming lessons for young children?
Swimming lessons give young children an important water safety skill, and research shows the benefits go well beyond the pool. Early Years Swimming surveyed 7,000 children aged five and under and closely assessed 176 children aged 3 to 5. It found children who learnt to swim early were ahead of the general population in a range of skills.
Compared with the general population, children who learnt to swim early were:
- 20 months ahead in understanding directions
- 17 months ahead in story recall
- 11 months ahead in oral expression
- 6 months ahead in maths reasoning
More recent research points the same way. A 2023 review of 18 studies on babies under three found that baby swimming programs were linked to better gross and fine motor skills.
Swimming also helps young children:
- Build strength and coordination as they kick, paddle and move through the water.
- Grow in confidence as they master each new skill.
- Follow instructions and take turns in a group setting, which helps them get ready for kinder and school.
- Enjoy special time with you, especially in parent-and-child classes.
How can I help my toddler feel confident in the water?
The best way to build water confidence is to keep it fun, go at your child's pace and practise little and often. Here are some easy ideas:
- Start in the bath. Pour water gently over their head, blow bubbles together and sing songs you also use at lessons.
- Stay calm and positive. Children take their cues from you, so a relaxed smile goes a long way.
- Never force it. If your child is nervous, let them sit on the edge and splash with their feet first.
- Practise between lessons. A quick visit to the local pool helps skills stick.
- Keep lessons going. Australian families are great at starting early, with 59% of children beginning swimming lessons before age 3. But most children stop between the ages of 7 and 9, before they've learnt key lifesaving skills. Sticking with lessons, including through winter, helps your child keep building on a great start.
- Celebrate small wins. Putting their face in, a first float or a big kick all deserve a cheer.
How do I keep my toddler safe around water?
Safe water play comes down to a few simple habits. Royal Life Saving's Keep Watch program sums them up in four actions: supervise, restrict access, teach water safety skills and learn how to respond in an emergency.
- Stay within arm's reach. Royal Life Saving advises keeping young children within arm's reach around water, with your full attention on them.
- Choose a water watcher. At parties and barbecues, agree which adult is watching the kids.
- Keep the pool gate closed. Check it swings shut and latches on its own, and move chairs and toys away from the fence.
- Empty it after use. Tip out paddling pools, buckets and baths as soon as you're done.
- Refresh your CPR skills. Update your CPR skills every year.
Do childcare centres teach water safety?
Every approved childcare service in Australia must have a water safety policy, covering water play and excursions near water. Many centres also build water awareness into everyday learning, through water play, songs and stories about staying safe.
If water safety matters to you, ask about it on your next centre tour. Our childcare centre tour checklist can help you plan your questions, and you can use the Care for Kids childcare search to compare services near you.
Make a splash this summer
Learning to swim is one of the best gifts you can give your little one. It builds confidence, strength and a lifelong love of the water, and every lesson adds another layer of safety. Start early, keep it fun and stay close, and your child will be ready to enjoy many happy summers in the water.
Search childcare near you.
FAQs
Do I need to get in the pool at my baby's swimming lessons?
Yes, in most cases. Baby and toddler swimming lessons are usually parent-and-child classes, where a parent or carer holds and supports the child in the water while the teacher guides you both. It's a lovely way to bond and helps your baby feel secure.
Do inflatable pools need a fence in Australia?
Yes, if they're deep enough. Product Safety Australia says pool fencing laws apply to portable pools that are 300 mm deep or more. Smaller inflatable and paddling pools should be emptied after every use. Check with your local council for the rules in your area.
Are baby bath seats safe to use?
Baby bath seats can help support your baby, but they aren't safety devices. Product Safety Australia's baby bath aids guide advises keeping at least one hand on your baby the whole time they're in the bath.
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