Everything parents ask us about swimming lessons
Twenty questions our teachers answer at the Smithfield pool most weeks — starting ages, what to pack, make-up lessons, Active Kids vouchers, nervous swimmers and additional needs. If this doesn't answer yours, we're only a phone call or message away.
Getting started
From six months old, with a parent in the water, right through to two and a half without you. If your baby has started crawling, they're ready to start swimming, though honestly you can begin at any age.
Tell us your child's age and how far they can swim unassisted and we'll place them. It takes about a minute on the booking form. Age is a guide, but what your child can actually do in the water decides it.
It depends on the time and level you're after. Weekday after-school classes and weekend mornings fill first, so those are the ones worth asking about early. Contact us and we'll let you know what's currently available, or offer you the closest alternative and let you know as soon as a spot opens up. You can see when each level swims on the timetable.
We're at Shop 7, 63A Brenan Street, Smithfield NSW 2164, about ten minutes from the M4 with parking on site. Most of our families come from Smithfield, Wetherill Park, Fairfield and Prairiewood, and plenty travel a little further from Greystanes, Bossley Park, Yennora and Merrylands. If you're anywhere across Western or South West Sydney, you're very welcome — have a look around the centre first if you'd like.
On the day
A swim costume and a towel are the essentials for everyone. A cap and goggles are optional and depend on your child's age and level. If your little one isn't toilet trained yet, a water nappy must be worn.
Only for Aquababes and Aquatots, which cover six months to about two and a half years. From Pufferfish onwards your child attends the lesson without a parent in the water, and builds confidence and trust with their instructor.
Absolutely. Families are welcome to watch from the poolside seating at our Smithfield centre. We just ask that everyone helps us keep lessons calm and respectful for the children in the water.
Fees, bookings and make-ups
A group lesson is $28 for 30 minutes, once a week, and it’s the same $28 at every level from six months right through to squad. Add a second lesson in the same week and it comes at 10% off, which brings the two to $53.20 a week. Private one‑to‑one lessons are $50 for 15 minutes or $100 for 30.
Fees are paid in advance for the quarter ahead, which is 13 weeks. Join partway through one and you only pay for the weeks that are left in it. You can see the full fee schedule and what’s included on the timetable page.
We accept NSW Active and Creative Kids vouchers — the program most families still call Active Kids — in person and over the phone. They’re for children aged 4½ to 18 whose family receives Family Tax Benefit, so they don’t reach our baby and toddler classes.
Fees are paid in advance for the quarter ahead, which is 13 weeks. If you join partway through a quarter you only pay for the weeks left in it, so you can start any week of the year rather than waiting for a term to begin.
Public holidays aren’t charged, and there’s no lesson on those days. There are no lock-in contracts. Give us a call on (02) 9724 7644 and we’ll set it all up with you.
No worries at all. Just let us know before the lesson and we’ll be more than happy to book you in for a make-up lesson.
Our pool is indoors and heated to 32°C all year round, and lessons work best when they're consistent, so we keep teaching through most school holidays. For exact dates over school holidays and public holidays, give us a call on (02) 9724 7644 and we'll confirm what's running.
Nervous swimmers & additional needs
Yes. It's one of the most common reasons families come to us. Mention it in your enquiry and we'll make sure their teacher knows, and start at whatever pace your child needs.
Yes, that's our No Limits program. We have no problem placing children with additional needs in our normal classes, and our teachers are more than happy to work with them in that environment. If you'd prefer individual lessons we offer private one-to-one classes. Tell us about your child and we'll talk it through.
Please tell us at enrolment so it's recorded on their file and visible to their instructor. Asthma and grommets are common and manageable. We just need to know.
With grommets, generally yes, but follow your ENT specialist's advice on ear plugs and headbands, and let your instructor know. Hearing aids come out before the lesson, and we'll agree a set of visual cues with your child so nothing gets missed.
Royal Life Saving's National Swimming and Water Safety Framework says that by age 12 a child should be able to swim continuously for 50 metres, surface dive, swim underwater, float, scull or tread water for two minutes and signal for help, along with a range of other water safety skills. Keeping lessons going until your child starts high school is what makes sure they're genuinely comfortable and confident around water. Our guide on when to start swimming lessons goes into how long to keep going, and why most families stop too early.
Please don't. Lessons are most effective when they're consistent and year-round, which is what supports stroke development and gives children the time to strengthen skills and become confident swimmers. Our pool is indoors and heated to 32°C, so July feels much like January.
One lesson a week is a great start. Consistency is the most important part of learning to swim.
We do. We run private one-to-one swimming lessons alongside the group classes at our Smithfield pool, which suits a nervous swimmer, a child catching up, or an adult who'd rather learn without an audience. Contact us for information on bookings and pricing.
Yes. We accept NSW Active and Creative Kids vouchers — the program most families still call Active Kids — both in person and over the phone, and we’ll apply yours to your lesson fees for you. Each eligible child gets two $50 vouchers a year.
Worth knowing before you budget for it: the vouchers are for children aged 4½ to 18 whose family receives Family Tax Benefit, so they don’t reach our baby and toddler classes. Service NSW has the current eligibility rules if you'd like to check.
Still have a question?
Ask us directly. Call us during opening hours or enquire through our contact form.