Pre-School Swim Stages
Discovery Ducklings
This stage is a parent and child session for children under 2
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.
I CAN Blow Bubbles
Discovery Ducklings 1
Discovery Ducklings 2
Discovery Ducklings 3
Discovery Ducklings 4
- Enter the water safely from a seated or standing position and return to the wall or pool side, with full adult support.
- Float on the front using floatation equipment, with full adult support.
- Reach and grab toys on top of and under the surface of the water.
- Rotate 180 degrees either using a log roll or an upright position, using floatation equipment and with minimal adult support.
- Push away from the wall in a streamlined position, with full adult support.
- Be at ease wetting or splashing the face and putting the chin in the water.
- Travel on the front using floatation equipment, with full adult support.
- Hold the rail or side of pool and move towards the steps or ladders using floatation equipment, with full adult support.
- Exit the water safely with adult supervision.
Ducklings
This stage is a parent and child session for children over 2
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.
Duckling 1
Duckling 2
I CAN Awards
- Make a sitting entry with adult support if required.
- Rotate 180 degrees either using a log roll or an upright position, using floatation equipment and without adult support.
- Submerge the face with confidence and without force under adult supervision.
- Blow an object for a distance of 2 metres.
- Travel 3 metres using arms and/or legs without adult support.
- Move 5 metres along the rail or wall without adult support.
- Enter the pool, rotate and return to the side with minimal adult support.
- Exit the water safely with minimal adult support.
Advanced Ducklings
This is a parent and child session for children aged over 2 who have advanced from the Duckling stage
These Swim England Pre-School Framework Awards are a continuation of the Duckling Awards. They are aimed at children who are old enough to follow instructions, can move on their own and have basic skills.
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.
Duckling 3
Duckling 4
I CAN Awards
- Jump into the water unaided, but supervised.
- Perform a mushroom or star float.
- Rotate 360 degrees either using a log roll or an upright position.
- Push and glide achieving a streamlined position on the front or back.
- Submerge completely.
- Travel 10 metres on the front or back, without adult support.
- Jump into the water, turn around, swim back to the point of entry and hold on to the side or rail.
- Climb out of the water with adult support if required.
Tidders
This is a independent session for children who are aged 3 to school age
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.
Tiddler 1
Tiddler 2
Tiddler 3
I CAN Awards
- Make a swivel entry without support
- Travel 5m kicking on front without aids
- Travel 5m kicking on back without aids
- Dip forehead in the water
- Blow bubbles with mouth underwater
- Gain a torpedo position on front or back with adult support 5 seconds
- Demonstrate spinning around with feet off pool floor
- Climb out of water with assistance
Advanced Tidders
This is a independent session for children who are aged 3 to school age who have advanced from the Tiddlers stage
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.
Tiddler 4
Tiddler 5
I CAN Awards
- Jump in without adult support
- Travel across the pool 5m on back
- Travel across the pool 5m on front
- With aids, swim 2m on front, rotate then swim 3m on back
- With aids, swim 2m on back, rotate then swim 3m on front
- Submerge completely for 3 seconds
- Push and glide for 2m on front
- Float on front or back and regain standing position
- Demonstrate knowledge of pool rules