The Milestones Programme

Every child has their own journey to water confidence

From the first swim, we work with our families to ensure that you love every minute of your Baby Squids journey, from that first splash and smile in the water to each moment of independence.

Babies and parents enjoying a Baby Squids swim class

Splashers → Paddlers → Kickers → Swimmers

Each stage runs for a full term. Tap a stop on the path to see the milestones your child will work towards: physical, water confidence and personal development, all in one place.

Splashers is designed for first year fun! This stage is about building you and your baby’s confidence in the water and nurturing and celebrating all those early connections. It's designed with parents in mind, so you'll learn the different ways to hold and support your child and how to safely introduce them to the water, while enjoying your special bond in a calm and supportive environment.
- Adult safely entering the water
- Holding your baby
- Introducing underwater swimming
- Holding in back float
- Front swimming with encouraging kicking legs
- Bouncing up and down in the water, encouraging splashes
- Responding to gentle sounds
- Lifting their head when on tummy
- Eye contact, focus on black/white toys
- Safe swimming: babies reaching and holding bar and float
- Holding your baby in changing holds to give them more independence
- Underwater swimming with parent
- Rolling over, shoulder roll onto tummy
- Backfloat with parent, using woggles
- Making independent splashes
- Making sounds in classes
- Reaching out for toys
- Enjoys exploring the water and different textures
- Shows interest in faces and mirrors
- Adult gentle "throw": baby up and catch on surface
- Baby begins to wave and splash
- Roll from chest and into tummy swim
- Teacher to adult / adult to teacher submersions
- Baby cheek dips
- Shared backfloat, adult fully floating with woggles to support
- Encourage natural seated jump into the water, with adult aid
- Makes movement with arms and legs when swimming
- Sits without support on poolside/float
- Baby tries to mimic bubble blowing
- Passing toys from hand to hand, or hand to mouth
- Enjoys songs and shows some participation
As you progress to Paddlers, little ones are becoming walking, talking toddlers! This stage is about having lots of fun in the water as they learn through play, helping your child to grow in confidence, independence and water safety. There are lots of early years developmental milestones to celebrate, from holding onto the hand rail by themselves, to monkeying around the pool, to blowing bubbles in the water.
- Child holds onto poolside/rail with no support
- Side hold "Rocket": push away from wall, with support
- Child independent bubble blowing
- Into reach and hold for poolside/rail
- Jumping in and self submerge
- Backfloat, head resting on adult's shoulder
- Sitting jump, without adult assistance
- Paddling arms with cue / kicking legs with cue
- Adult and baby sitting upright on a "seahorse"
- Rolling over with encouragement on big float
- Understanding body: can locate hands/feet/fingers
- Recognises class teacher / friends
- Can use rail/side to pull themselves up
- Holding and pushing a float with minimal support
- Adult facing child on woggle, paddling arms
- "Piggy back" swim: child on adult's back, adult swimming (if able)
- Side hold "Rocket": push away from wall, with minimal support
- Child independently puts face into water
- Adult and child blowing a toy across the pool
- Submerge and rotate 180 degrees before surfacing
- Independent seated jumping on cue
- Rolling over on big float
- Says small words and can join in some actions
- Responds to simple instructions, e.g. waving
- Picking up and throwing toys
- Can "monkey" with adult support, around the pool edge
- Side hold rocket push away from wall
- Child independent self submersion
- Two "duckling dives" with 5 second breathe in between
- Child blowing a toy across the pool
- Jump from standing, with adult's support
- Using arms to move / change direction of travel
- Kick a ball in the water (backfloat)
- Can say some words and copy actions to songs
- Can hand a toy back to teacher/adult
- Can stack toys/blocks
- Can walk (holding hands) across big float
- Can pour, fill and empty containers
- Enjoys some music making
- Able to reach and retrieve submerged toys
Our little Kickers really start to show their independent skills. They'll be progressing to bigger movements by themselves, from safely walking into the pool next to you, to confidently jump into the water from the large float, waiting for you to catch them. The fun continues as they join in singing songs, tackling puzzles and playing games - all with a purpose.
- Waits to enter the pool, after adult has entered
- Jump into a submersion
- Blowing a toy across the pool, supporting self in woggle hold
- Pencil / star float shapes
- Jump into pool from standing, with adult's cue
- Kicking legs independently when moving
- Walking across big float independently
- Participate in group games/teams
- Throwing a ball into the water from poolside
- Child seems happy to be in class
- Independent self submersion with bubbles
- Can stack or build with blocks
- Independently can put ears in the water and "listen"
- Able to reach and retrieve submerged items in shallow water
- Can monkey without support, around the pool edge
- Swim on woggle with no adult support, swimming towards adult
- Adult supporting child under body with two hands
- Jump into the water & turn to poolside with adult support, reach and hold back to poolside
- Kicking and paddling independently to swim, with adult hold
- Lays down on big mat on back and can roll over onto tummy
- Putting together a simple puzzle/stacking game
- Kicking a ball in a backfloat position
- Takes turns in games when prompted
- Can push/submerge a ball or toy
- Can make purposeful and varied noises
- Begins to learn safe entry, with adult support
- Turn to adult and push away from poolside to reach adult
- Using a woggle, kicking and paddling independently
- Pick up a toy from below the surface, by fully self submerging
- Star float on front facing adult (face in and blowing bubbles)
- Standing jumps from big float into pool, with adult's cue
- Swim independently on woggle with no adult support
- Sitting on steps/poolside, fast kicking legs
- Lay down on big mat, roll over to parent who catches child on the surface of the water
- Walk across big float and wait for adult cue to jump
- Sorting by colour or shape in a group game
- Recognises and participates in class welcome and goodbye songs
Swimmers is our final Baby Squids stage and when your little one progresses from swimming in class with you to being independent in our pre-school lessons. Our teachers have the time and patience to take things slowly and support this transition while you can proudly move to poolside to watch your child’s transformation. You'll see how far your child has grown and developed as they confidently enter the water by themselves, learn to be safe and independent in the water, with the support of the teacher.
- Can sit and wait for a turn or activity
- Can move through the water 2–5 metres with aid
- Front: kicking feet on water surface, holding rail
- Walk through the water
- Sculling hands with woggle
- Front: push and glide with support
- Back: push and glide with support
- Knows teacher's name and the names of some equipment
- Teacher holding woggle, blowing to "flip" toy
- Mushroom float, tuck shape, on steps/poolside
- Star shape backfloat, with woggle around back
- Backfloat holding a large kickboard
- Will answer simple questions and is able to choose toys or equipment
- Can walk safely around the pool area
- Regain feet using aids (on steps or shallow water)
- Sculling hands and cycling legs with woggle support
- Knows the name of most equipment and basic instructions
- Pick up a toy from deeper water
- Teacher to assist with reaching the pool floor
- Mushroom float, practise shape in water
- Star shape backfloat
- Backfloat holding a small kickboard
- Jump in, swim one metre, turn and swim back to side
- Hold on to a big float when it is moved around the pool
- Kick a ball in the water, supported by a woggle or teacher
- Participates with singing and actions
- Safe entry from mat, without support, and climb back up onto mat
- Can follow all safety instructions
- Can move 2 metres with no support
- Front and back: kicking feet using kickboard
- Treading water
- Front, using rings, demonstrating front crawl arms
- Back swim with one small float on chest
- Jump into the pool to collect sinkers
- Independent swim on woggle, blowing to "flip" toy
- Float without support
- Complete a puzzle/counting game

Packing your swim bag

The right kit makes for a hassle-free swim. Here's our list of essentials: tick them off as you pack.

Nappies & swim nappies

A couple of pairs of swim nappies plus regular nappies for after. We ask for a double system: a happy nappy over a disposable one. Some babies want a wetsuit too if they feel the cold.

Baby swimwear

Public pools require a swim nappy; an infant swimming costume over the top is optional but cute; plenty of styles for little ones who like to match.

Towels

Pack a couple if you have space, to wrap baby up when you leave the water. Hooded towels are great for keeping little ones cosy.

Snacks & a drink

All that kicking works up an appetite, so pack a drink and a snack like a banana or yoghurt. Not on solids yet? Find a quiet spot for a feed once you're both changed.

Wet wipes & cream

A pack of wet wipes is a must for change times, plus your usual barrier cream.

Coin for lockers

Have some change handy for the locker, or check with pool staff whether you'll need a token instead.

Change of outfit

Warm clothes to keep baby snug after a swim, plus a couple of spares just in case. A hat is a good idea too, since babies lose heat through their heads.

Your swimsuit

Don't forget your own kit. For a speedier change, put your swimsuit on at home under your clothes and pack underwear for after.

Common questions

A few things parents often ask us before their child starts, or partway through the programme.

Will I get anything to mark my child's progress?

Yes, each time your child completes a stage, you can print a personalised certificate celebrating their achievement, signed by their teacher.

How long does each stage take?

Each stage runs for a full term, with three levels to work through inside it at your child's own pace.

Got an older child too?

Big Squids is our advanced programme for 5 to 10-year-olds, from early independent swimming through to full technical strokes. Explore the Big Squids journey →