From the very first splash, water can be a powerful tool for learning, bonding, and safety. Teaching children to swim isn’t just about strokes and splashing, it’s about giving them lifelong skills to stay safe, build confidence, and enjoy physical activity from the earliest days.
That’s why Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools is proud to announce a collaboration with Water Babies, who are leading the way in baby and toddler swimming education. Together, we’re working to ensure children gain essential water safety skills while nurturing the values and confidence they need to thrive both in and out of the pool.
Why Early Swimming Matters
- Learning to swim from a young age helps children:
- Build water confidence
- Develop physical strength and coordination
- Learn vital safety techniques such as holding onto the poolside or floating
- Become emotionally resilient and socially engaged
And most importantly, it can save lives. According to the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), one child under five drowns on average every month in England, a tragic and preventable reality. Teaching water safety early gives children the skills they need to respond calmly and confidently if they ever find themselves in danger.
Water Safety at Home and Beyond
You can begin introducing water confidence at home, even during everyday bath time. It’s a relaxed, familiar environment where children can explore and play while getting used to the feel and flow of water.
Tips for building water confidence at home:
- Stay within arm’s reach at all times
- Use calm, positive language
- Gently pour water over shoulders and arms
- Sing songs and use floating toys
- Practice simple actions like kicking or blowing bubbles
Creating a routine around bath time with all your essentials nearby (towel, shampoo, toys, clothes) also helps children feel secure and builds trust around water-based routines.
How to Get Started with Swimming Lessons
When you’re ready to move from the bath to the pool, look for a structured, supportive swimming programme designed specifically for young children. Water Babies offers lessons for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers, focusing on:
Progressive learning through fun and play
Safety techniques like floating and safe entry/exit
Emotional reassurance through consistent teaching and calm environments
Parent-child bonding in the water
All Water Babies teachers are qualified in the National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches, so you can be confident your child is in safe, expert hands.
Shared Values: Why This Collaboration Makes Sense
At Happy Days, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to shine. Our “Where Children Shine” curriculum supports each child as a Healthy, Independent Explorer — promoting active lifestyles, physical confidence, and safety awareness from the start.
The collaboration with Water Babies perfectly aligns with this approach. Just as our curriculum nurtures resilience, confidence, communication, and independence, Water Babies lessons are designed to empower children through physical and emotional growth in the water.
Together, we are committed to:
Creating safe, supportive environments for children to explore and take risks
Encouraging healthy habits for lifelong wellbeing
Celebrating individuality while developing vital life skills
Supporting parents and carers every step of the way
Whether it’s practicing sun safety, learning to self-serve at mealtimes, or developing coordination in the water, both Happy Days and Water Babies champion a holistic approach to early years development, where safety, fun, and growth go hand in hand.
It’s Not Just About Swimming, It’s About Confidence for Life
As one Water Babies teacher shared: “It’s not just about teaching swimming; it’s about building trust, confidence, and connections. I’ve had the privilege of bonding with incredible children and their families. Watching children grow, learn life-saving skills, and become confident in the water fills my heart every day.”
It’s a feeling we share across all Happy Days settings, seeing children thrive as they explore, move, learn, and grow with confidence.
Final Thoughts
Whether you live near the coast, enjoy the occasional trip to the pool, or simply want to build your child’s physical skills and confidence, teaching water safety from birth is one of the most important things you can do.
At home, in nurseries, and in the pool, let’s all play a part in giving children the tools they need to be safe, strong, and resilient around water and in life.