You can begin with your baby as early as you are comfortable. We prefer babies to begin before the are 12 months old with the optimum age for a smooth transition being under 6 months. The window of opportunity still exists from 12 – 18 months where initial submersions and water adjustment take place.

Once you have begun, your baby can move through the various levels until they are around 3 years old. Should you be unable to continue with AquaBabies for this length of time we suggest you complete at least 2 courses to benefit your future swimming.

  What does my baby need to wear in the water?
  
Babies must wear TWO special swim nappies. The first a disposable swim nappy, widely available from supermarkets and baby shops. On top of this must be a ‘Happy Nappy’. This nappy has a tight seal around the leg and has been specially designed for baby swim schools. You will not be allowed into the water without both correct nappies as nappy leaks into the water mean cancelling classes to clean the pool. All children on the AquaBabies program must continue to wear both swim nappies beyond potty training, accidents still happen!

Does my baby need immunisations before swimming?

There is no need for babies to have completed their first set of immunisations before swimming. Further research on this can be seen on the NHS website www.immunisation.org.uk

How do I book and pay for a course?

We have a waiting list for courses. Please book in advance to avoid disappointment.

What changing facilities are available?

Changing facilities vary from pool to pool. Many pools offer basic changing in confined space, with some showers available. Please arrive as prepared as possible and no earlier than 15 minutes before your session to allow optimum space for all classes.

For hygiene reasons parents must bring their own changing mat.

Please dispose of all nappies in a sealed nappy sack in a bin provided.

What if my baby has a cold or is unwell?

Re-Booking

Our courses run throughout the year, and are every 5 weeks except for breaks over the christmas and easter period. You will be emailed on the third week of your course to advise you about rebooking and spaces are reserved for anyone on the course for 1 week, after that the spaces are open to others to book up and use. Bookings are based on a first come first served basis.

Refunds and Cancellations

Aquababies-SouthWales is under no obligation to refund or transfer your money in the event that you are unable to attend part of or the entire course. We regret that we are unable to offer an alternative for missed lessons. Unfortunately, what seems like one simple request is an impractically huge administrative task when spread across all our clients.

In the instance that a pool cannot be used in the short term, we will endeavour, where possible, to re-schedule your lesson. In this instance Aquababies-Southwales is not responsible for any travel expenses incurred. In the event of us having to cancel a lesson we will issue a credit against your next course fees, or issue a cheque within 5 working days of the end of the term. It is a Aquababies Southwales policy that you should never have to chase a refund.

When a pool is not available on a longer term basis (in excess of one week), on public health or other grounds outside of our control(not including operational issues with the pool), then we cannot be responsible for providing any further lessons during that time. If this occurs, and in the event that it is not possible to reschedule the classes, we will use best endeavours to either refund the unused balance of your course fees or to recompense you in services or refunds in a future cycle.

If you are cancelling at any time prior to 14 days before the course begins we will refund your money. Should you cancel within 14 days of your course commencing (up to and including 5.30pm the evening before) we will issue a refund minus a £25 administration charge.

Except in exceptional circumstances (which Aquababies-southwales will determine at its sole discretion) whether you are a first time client or an existing client, we regret that, once the course has commenced, we cannot issue refunds or credits.

Adverse Weather

Aquababies-Southwales is under no obligation to refund lessons that may be missed by local adverse weather when the venue and environs are safe and accessible and lessons are held. We regret that we are unable to offer automatic refunding or rescheduling of lessons in the event of adverse conditions local to yourselves preventing you from attending a scheduled class.

Video and Photography

Whilst the family atmosphere we encourage means that parents, grandparents and friends should feel very comfortable taking photographs or video footage, we would ask that everyone remains sensitive to the feelings of others and always stops filming should they be asked to do so. We must also adhere to pool rules at individual venues, some of which do not permit the use of such equipment. If this is the case with your pool, we will have informed you seperately and ask that you respect their policy. In all instances the decision of Aquababies-SouthWales staff is final.

No underwater cameras or underwater recording equipment of any description may be used during a Aquababies-Southwales lesson.

Aquababies-Southwales expressly forbids the right to reproduce any part of our lessons in any form (e.g. on the internet, DVDs, photographs etc). Anyone suspected of continually filming or photographing the lessons for any purpose of publication will be asked to stop filming and leave the course.

All Aquababies-Southwales photography, logos and illustrations are the copyright of Aquababies-Southwales. Any scanning or reproduction of any of the above without our written agreement will be regarded as being in breach of our copyright and dealt with accordingly.

Aquababies-Southwales reserves the right to use our underwater photographs for publicity purposes. However, in each instance we will endeavour to inform you first.

Aquababies-Southwales cannot be held liable for the actions of third parties, and, therefore excludes to the fullest extent possible by law, any liability arising from a breach of this section headed ?Video and Photography? by any party.

Valuables and Jewellery

All property left in changing rooms or on poolside, and all property (including prams) left in entrance halls or outside, is left at your own risk. Aquababies-Southwales cannot accept any responsibility for the loss or damage of any personal possessions. Please remove all jewellery (except wedding rings) before entering the water.

Medical conditions

You will be asked for any existing medical conditions for either yourself,another carer who may swim in the lessons or the baby booked into the lessons when booking on. You agree to inform Aquababies-Southwales of any changes, including pregnancy, as soon as you are aware of them. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Illness
Should your child or the adult taking your child into the water have, or develop, any known or suspected medical condition you must please consult your doctor before bringing them swimming and inform your Aquababies-Southwales office in writing via email or post. All information received is treated in confidence and with sensitivity.

Never bring your child swimming if they have any illness such as an ear infection, diarrhoea, chicken pox, impetigo, conjunctivitis or a bad cold. Please wait until your doctor has given the all-clear before returning to classes.

In the instance of sickness and diarrhoea your child must have been clear of all symptoms for at least 48 hours before attending a lesson.

Nappies and Changing your Baby

Without exception, all babies/toddlers, regardless of age or whether they are potty trained,must wear a disposable paper swim nappy. Aquababies-Southwales reserves the right to refuse entry to any child who is not suitably attired.

Always change your baby on the floor using a suitable changing mat. Do not use any raised areas such as benches, trolleys or tables. This is to prevent babies from rolling onto the floor from high surfaces which can easily happen and is extremely distressing for all concerned.

Please take all your used nappies away with you unless a clearly marked bin has been provided. Never leave nappies in an open bin (including those within the venue grounds).

Withdrawal of service

Aquababies-Southwales may, at its own discretion, refuse entry to a client to its courses if it is felt that the client's behaviour is unreasonable.

Pool/Poolside Health and Safety

No outer footwear or prams should be taken onto poolside or into changing rooms. Please use blue overshoes (if available) or go barefoot if you prefer.

Please always endeavour to shower both yourself and your child before entering the water. Removing body lotions, perfumes etc. before swimming contributes significantly to maintaining water quality.

Whilst you are waiting for your class, please keep poolside noise down to a minimum so that all lessons can take place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Do not enter the pool until the current class has finished; please always wait to be invited to do so by your teacher.

You are responsible for the safe supervision of any children you bring at all times: on poolside, in the changing rooms and on the pool premises. They should always be under the direct supervision of an adult who is not taking part in the lesson and never be left unattended. Children running on wet surfaces can very easily slip and hurt themselves. Aquababies-Southwales reserves the right to ask anyone to leave the poolside at any time.

Unfortunately we can only accommodate one adult in the pool at a time with each child. However, we are happy for other members of your family, friends, or child minders to bring your child to classes. Anyone new to the class must let the instructor know at the beginning of the session, so they can provide the extra help and advice that will be needed.

Should a lesson already in progress or about to start have to be cleared due to a fire alarm then Aquababies-Southwales is under no obligation to refund the lesson or part thereof.

Teachers

Whilst it is our policy that we endeavour to ensure you always have the same teacher, we cannot guarantee this as teachers fall ill, leave etc. Also, due to the extremely thorough nature of our training, we may occasionally need to have a new instructor teaching your class. They are always fully trained at this point, but need to teach a series of ?live classes? in order to complete their assessment process. Unfortunately we cannot give advance warning when this may happen and, whilst we always try to limit it, it is a necessary part of our commitment to quality.

Exclusion of Liability

In the absence of any proven negligence, lack of due diligence or breach of duty by the instructor(s); Aquababies-Southwales; employees, the participation of you; your spouse/partner; child or those in whose care you have placed your child for the purpose of attending or observing Aquababies-Southwales swimming sessions is done so entirely at your and their own risk.

Changes to Terms and Conditions

From time to time we may update these terms by sending you either an updated version or notification of minor changes. You are free to not accept these changes but we would ask you to notify us in writing of your non acceptance within 14 days of your receipt, failing which we will be entitled to treat our agreement with you as being subject to the updated version.