National Drowning Report 2015
According to the National Drowning Report 2015, 10% of the total drowning deaths were children aged 0-4 years. This is a 30% rise in the space of a single year! To help combat these frightening statistics this program has been developed and it rolling out nationwide.
Benefits of Swim Safer Infants:
The inherent risk of water strategies for prevention of drowning.
The adult role in supervising and monitoring the safety of children in and around water.
Benefits of a Water-based Themed Program:
Buoyancy: water counteracts gravity and helps to support the weight of the child or mother in a controlled fashion as the infant or mother is immersed. This can aid the development of improved balance and strength. The buoyancy of water also permits a greater range of positions due to the virtual elimination of gravitational forces, particularly for movement that require raising the legs.
Viscosity: water provides resistance by means of gentle friction, allowing strengthening and conditioning of muscles.
Hydrostatic Pressure: this pressure effect aids in improving muscle and blood flow.
Classes run 7 days per week during the mornings (subject to availability), with child minding available from 9am-12pm weekly.
Water orientation and water safety lessons are beneficial for every infant. Infants benefit tremendously from water experiences with their trusted carer. Through our lessons we focus on stimulating and enriching their Emotional and Social development, Cognitive development and Physical development including Sensory development, fine and gross motor, balance and sensory -motor skills.
Aqua Tots: 6 to 12 months.
We sing a welcome and goodbye song , water conditioning, propulsion – learning to kick, mobility – reaching for toys, mobility and propulsion – blast offs and rolls, water familiarisation and breath control, voluntary submersion, submersion and turn arounds, floatation – backfloats, floatation and balance – play time on mat.
Aqua Mites: 12 to 24 months.
We sing welcome and goodbye song, water conditioning, propulsion – learning to kick, mobility – reaching for toys, mobility – gripping, mobility and propulsion – blast off and rolls, breath control, voluntary submersions, submersions and turn arounds, floatation – backfloats, floatation and balance – play time on mat
Aqua Nauts: 24 to 36 months.
Slide in entry and welcome song, water conditioning, proplusion – kicking, mobility and propulsion, mobility and gripping, breath control, voluntary and unassisted submersions, submerisons and turnarounds, floatation – back floats, floatation and balance – play time on mat, goodbye song
Aqua Fins: 36 to 48 months.
Slide in entry and welcome song, water conditioning, proplusion – kicking, mobility and propulsion, mobility and gripping, breath control, voluntary and unassisted submersions, submerisons and turnarounds, floatation – back floats, bunny dives, goodbye song
The Swim Safer program for school age children, which are both a continuation of the Swim Safer Infants Program and suitable for students new to swimming
Levels continue until a mini-squad level. This final level aims to educate your child on all the lifesaving skills they need to be both safe and confident swimmers, and gain the knowledge and techniques they will require to join a squad or club environment, if they show interest in continuing their swimming competitively or for fitness.
Classes Confidence through to Strokes are 30 minutes long and run 7 days per week. Aqua Squad is a 1 hour session and only run Monday through to Saturday. We recommend that you book a time for a free 5 minute swimming assessment to gauge the appropriate Swim Safer level for your child. To book this assessment please call our staff on 6229 6017
Aqua Confidence – is our first level for Children to be in the water without parents. Children need to be a minimum of 4 years old and be able to stand in the shallow end.
To move up to next level children need to show that they can perform the following skills – Submerge face in water, Assisted front float, Front kick with noodle, Assisted back float, Back kick with noodle, Deep water confidence, Life skills, Safe slide in entry, Water safety day.
Aqua Foundation – is our second level in our program, to enter this level children need to be a minimum age of 4 years, be able to stand on the shallow end and to have passed skills in Aqua Confidence.
To pass this level children need to pass the following skills – Submerge under water with & without goggles, Unassisted front float, Unassisted front glide, 3 m Front kick with board, 3 m Front kick unassisted, 3 m Freestyle arms with board, Unassisted back float, Unassisted back glide, 3 m Back kick with board, 3 m Back kick unassisted, Deep water confidence, Life skills, Monkey crawl, Introduction to seated dives, Safe slide in entry, Water safety day, Back glide to front.
Aqua Kicking – is our third level in our program, to enter children need to have passed skills in Aqua Foundation.
To move to next level children need to pass the following skills – 5 m Front streamline kick unassisted, 5 m Freestyle arm action no breathing, Demonstrate turn to breath with arm action, 5 m Back kick unassisted, 5 m Backstroke, 5 m Survival backstroke kick, Swim under water through hoop with & without goggles, Deep water confidence, Seated dives, Safe entries, Water safety day, Swim float swim sequence.
Aqua Breathing – is our fourth level, to enter children need to have passed skills in Aqua Kicking.
To move to next level children need to pass the following skills – 10 m Freestyle with regular breathing pattern, 10 m Backstroke, 10 m Breaststroke kick with board, 10 m Survival backstroke, Forward rolls, Deep water confidence, Deep water submerging, Introduction to treading water, Seated dives, Safe entries, Water safety day, Swim float swim sequence.
Aqua Develop – is our fifth level, to enter children need to have passed skills in Aqua Breathing.
To move to next level children need to pass the following skills – 15 m Freestyle, 15 m Backstroke, 15 m Breaststroke with breathing, 15 m Survival backstroke, 15 m Sidestroke kick, Introduction to tumble turns, Treading water and sculling, Seated dives, Safe entries, Water safety day, 10 m Butterfly kick with board.
Aqua Enhance – is our sixth level, to enter children need to have passed skills in Aqua Develop.
To move to next level children need to pass the following skills – 30 m Freestyle, 30 m Backstroke, 30 m Breaststroke with correct timing, 10 m Butterfly kick with board plus added breathing, 30 m Survival backstroke, 30 m Sidestroke, Continuous swim 100 m, Tumble turns front and back, Treading water and sculling, Seated dives, Safe entries, water safety day.
Aqua Strokes – is our seventh level, to enter children need to have passed skills in Aqua Enhance.
To move to next level children need to pass the following skills – 50 m Freestyle with tumble turn, 50 m Backstroke with tumble turn, 50 m Breaststroke, 15 m Butterfly kick with board plus added breathing, 50 m Survival backstroke, 50 m Sidestroke, Continuous swim 300 m, Breaststroke turn, Backstroke start, Treading water and sculling, Seated dives, Safe entries, Water safety day, Butterfly arm action – basic with glide or kick.
Aqua Squad – is our eighth level, to enter children need to have passed skills in Aqua Strokes.
There is no pass level to leave this level, this is an ongoing level for however long your child wishes to continue on for. Squad level is our 1 hour long session, and covers all strokes, with technique, sprints and endurance.
Adult group lessons (beginner and stroke improvement) may be offered at the Kingston Pool and Wellness Centre based on demand. Please express your interest and preferred day/time by emailing the pool from the contact page.
One-on-one lessons are offered to adults learning to swim, children and adults with a variety of disabilities, and for your fitness or rehabilitation needs. Availability for these classes is strictly limited, as we have specialised instructors for these areas of aquatic activity and development.
For special needs, pool facilities include a ramp into the building, a hoist into the pool and shower facilities.
The Kingston Pool is available for pool or lane bookings, making the centre perfect for schools, clubs and other groups to benefit from aquatic activity. Mornings, daytime and late night spots can be booked – subject to availability. An instructor or lifeguard may also be available for your group booking and we have a range of aquatic programs to suit your needs. Please email the centre to inquire about hire fees and availability.
Swim Safer Swimming Class Information
What age can my child start swimming lessons?
Your child can commence lessons with us from 6 months of age
When can I book an assessment?
If your child is of school age they will need to have an assessment to determine their height and skill level. Preferred days and times are Monday-Friday 3:00 – 3:20pm. Other days & times are available upon request. Infants will not need an assessment.
What does my child need for lessons?
Your child will need a cap (compulsory for Swim Safer students), towel, bathers, swim nappy for infants, and goggles if your child wears them. Caps, goggles and swim nappies are also available for purchase at our kiosk.
I have twins how can I give both lessons when I need to be in the pool?
There are a few options, including making the most of our morning child care facilities, encouraging another family member or friend to assist you – which can be an amazing experience for that special aunt, or inquiring about the possibility of one of our assistants to support you in the water during your lesson. This service is free of charge, however limited times and days are available.
When do your lessons commence?
At the Kingston Pool, lessons commence upon your enrolment and continue through school holidays (excluding public holidays). This means no need to re-enrol each term! You are in control of your own enrolment and only pay 2 weeks in advance via our direct debit system! How handy is that!
What qualifications do your instructors have?
All instructors are AUSTSWIM or Royal Life Saving qualified and trained specifically in the Swim Safer program to ensure an easy and productive transition between any changes of instructor that may be required. Every instructor holds an AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety qualification, and current Working with Children Licence. Infant instructors also hold a current AUSTSWIM Teacher of Infants and Pre-school Aquatics licence.
How long are classes?
Swim Safer Infants and Swim Safer classes run for 30 minutes and Aqua Squad runs for 1 hour.
When will my child move up a level?
Assessments are no longer run on set weeks, as we have transitioned to an ongoing evaluation process. Each child will be undertaking an ongoing assessment throughout each lesson, and once a task has been achieved consistently, and to the standard required, the teacher will mark that task as having been achieved. Once all tasks have been achieved you will be notified in the proceeding days that your child is ready to move to a higher level.
What happens if my child misses a lesson?
If your child misses a lesson you are entitled to a family swim pass. This swim pass is valid for 12 weeks from the date of the missed lesson and can be used for up to 4 children and 2 adults during our casual swim times. This swim pass is electronic and will be marked off as used when you have approached the kiosk staff.
Can we swim in the pool during or after our lesson?
To maintain safety standards please ensure your child sits on the side of the pool before lessons commence, and does not enter the water until the teacher has instructed to do so. Please refer to our timetable for casual swimming times.
Child minding and change room facilities
During what hours does the crèche operate?
Our child minding facility is available between 9am and 12pm weekdays free of charge. There is no need to book your child in, please just sign the book next to the door on your arrival and departure.
Can my child use the opposite sex change room?
Our policy is that children aged 7 and under are allowed in the opposite sex change room with an accompanying adult.
Enrolments and Payments
How do we enrol in lessons?
You will need to fill out an enrolment form and direct debit form. These forms are available from our office or by emailing the pool.
How can I pay?
Payment is via direct debit due fortnightly on Thursdays. On enrolment our administration will advise you when your first payment will be, as all direct debits are prescheduled and cannot be changed. Payments can be debited from your bank account or credit card. This ensures that you are only paying 2 weeks in advance and can cancel with a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice.
Can I pay for a block of lessons?
This method of enrolment is available for a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks, and incurs a $10.00 administration fee each time you book. Placement in classes cannot be guaranteed once this booking has ended, and the enrolment process will need to be repeated.
Will I be charged for missed lessons?
Yes, when you book a time slot for your swimming lessons you are committed to your booking until such a time that you cancel. If your child is sick please feel free to send us a copy of a doctor’s certificate, and if you are aware that in the future you will be away for between 2 and 4 consecutive weeks please refer to our policy on placing lessons on hold.
We are going on holidays, what do we do?
If you’d like to place your lessons on hold (for direct debit payments), this can be done by email 4 weeks before your intended leave. This can only be applied for a minimum leave period of 2 consecutive weeks and up to a maximum of 4 consecutive weeks. The cost is $7.00 per lesson, per child. By doing this you are not eligible for a family swim pass.
How much notice do I need to provide to cancel my lessons?
We need at least 2 weeks notice via email to cancel your booking. Please include your child’s full name and reason for your cancellation in your email.
Can I change the time or day of my booking?
While we cannot guarantee we have another times or days available, we will certainly do everything we can to meet your needs.
What happens if my child isn’t enjoying swimming lessons?
Most children here love their swimming lessons! However, if your child isn’t enjoying lessons it is important that you let us know as soon as possible. This way we can work with you to find a solution that works for you and your child.
Where do I go for further information?
Please refer to our terms and conditions, or contact administration staff on 6229 6017 or office@kingstonpool.com.au