Pre-School Swim Stages
Discovery Ducklings
Eligibility Criteria: Under 2 years, parent in the water
These Swim England Pre-School Framework Awards are perfect for babies from birth (subject to Health Visitor advice being followed). They are also perfect for pre-school children who are new to swimming.
Parents or carers will attend swimming lessons with their babies or young children and join them in the water. This helps to provide reassurance for the child and gives the parent or carer confidence in assisting their child in the water.
Four separate Awards are available which begin with an introduction to the water and swimming environment through fun and games.
Ducklings
Eligibility Criteria: Over 2 years, parent in the water
These Swim England Pre-School Framework Awards are a natural follow on from the Discovery Duckling Awards. They are aimed at children who are old enough to follow instructions and can move on their own.
They give the child more independence and start to build their confidence in water. These Awards are used to slowly build up the child ready for the Learn to Swim Framework Stages 1-7.
Again these lessons will be given as an adult and child lesson, where both are in the water.
Advanced Ducklings
Eligibility Criteria: Over 2 years, parent-assisted
Developing essential aquatic skills with growing autonomy, kids perform jumps (supervised), mushroom or star floats, full rotations, glides, submersion, 10 m travel, and return-to-wall entries – all with adult support as needed.
Tiddlers
Eligibility Criteria: 3 years up to school age, independent
Time to fly solo! Children gain independence by jumping in, kicking 5 m front/back, dipping their forehead, blowing bubbles, brief front/back torpedo floats, spins, and assisted exits.
These lessons are designed for pre-school children who are confident and independent enough to learn without a parent in the water with them.
They give the child more independence and build on their confidence in water. These Awards are used to prepare children ready for the Learn to Swim Framework Stages 1-7.
Advanced Tiddlers
Eligibility Criteria: 3 years up to school age, independent continuation
Stepping up skills with jumps, 5 m travels on both front and back, combined front-to-back swims with aids, 3-second submersion, 2 m glide, float-to-stand transitions, and understanding pool rule.
These lessons are designed for pre-school children who are confident and independent enough to learn without a parent in the water with them. They are a are a continuation of the Tiddlers Awards.
They give the child more independence and improve their water skills. These Awards are used to prepare children ready for the Learn to Swim Framework Stages 1-7.