What happens if my baby doesn’t like it?

• Although rare, in the event a baby becomes unsettled or upset, our teachers are very experienced and skilled in providing effective support and strategies to help parent’s work through these times.
• There maybe be different triggers but most importantly the parent needs to be relaxed and present in the water. Tension from the parent can trigger transferred anxiety to the baby and result in crying or anxiousness.

What happens if I fall behind or progress ahead in my class?

• All children develop differently physiologically, physically and emotionally therefore our classes provide adequate space needed for individual development to occur within their core group.
• Teachers will adapt lesson plans to suit your baby's individual needs and ability.
• We believe the well being of the child is far more important than any activity.

What happens when I have another baby?

• Call and talk with our office staff; depending on when your baby is due we will be able to advise you of options to suit your personal circumstances.  
• Options may include:  
  • Block payment for the classes you are able to attend.  
  • Your partner or a suitable caregiver could participate in lessons with you before you leave to have your baby. This “handover” will allow you to keep your child swimming and keep you place in the program. 
• Most importantly, we encourage parents to keep their child connected to the fun of swimming, especially with children from their core group as this has been shown to minimise the disruption of such major change at home. 
• As an existing client in our program, you will receive priority options for new places when you are ready to enrol your new baby. 

When will my child be ready to be independent in the water without me?

• Our program is designed for you to stay in the water with your child until they reach graduation at age 5, this way every child has individual attention and supervision and far more can be achieved in each lesson.
• Consistent physical stimulation helps keep children warm and given a short attention span, parents can encourage listening and participation throughout the lesson. Independent classes mean cooler water pools, sitting and waiting for a turn and getting cold. It is difficult to learn when the body becomes stressed.
• Our studies into the “Transition to Independence” over a 5 year period have shown children who continue to swim with their parents, even until the age of 5 show advanced skill development, emotional maturity, continued enthusiasm and a general sense of well being.
• We can provide information on assessing your child’s readiness to graduate.

Waterbabies is more expensive than other lessons... please explain why?

• Waterbabies teachers are trained to an exceptional standard, much more than national guidelines. The depth of training provides extensive education and hands on experience to prepare teachers to give families the very best care and guidance possible.
• Only one lesson at a time is held in each pool, creating an inimate environment and utilising full pool space for parents and their babies. This also minimises distractions as there are no other activities in the water other than the Waterbabies class. 
• We go that bit further: we provide follow up care when needed, helping to resolve issues or problems that may arise with practical strategies, written material and careful monitoring. In general we offer a high level of support for families.
• The program continuum is highly specialised and designed to enhance every stage of your baby’s natural development. Although each child is different and will learn an develop at their own pace, the program caters individually as well as within the group dynamic. This activates a love of learning and helps children to reach their potential in the aquatic environment.
• We do our best to keep core groups together and focus on age groups to be developmentally compatible, for example we do not have classes with large varaitons in age or abilty.
• We focus on empowering parents to become the best teacher their baby could have.
• Our program is an investment to maximise your child's development and help give them a love of water for life.