SAFETY FIRST CV19 Being Prepared For Your First Lesson

Health and Safety Information for your first day

Your safety and comfort at the pool is our priority and this is why we take the time during week 1 of your course to go through a Health and Safety briefing and welcome talk to answer some of the common questions.  It can be a lot to take in at once so below we have covered some of the general points your Teacher will discuss.  There will also be points specific to the pool location you are attending so it's important you arrive in time for the welcome talk.

Showering at home - It is currently not possible to shower at the pool venue. However, for hygiene reasons we ask that you shower at home before leaving for your baby swim class. A pre-swim shower means we can keep the chlorine levels in all of our pools lower avoiding any skin irritations for you and your baby.

Face masks – Please bring a face mask to wear when entering the building, in the change area and toilets. You will not be required to wear anything in the pool. Your Teacher will assign you your own learning zone to give you social distance.

Hand sanitizer – Will be present at our pools for you use however, please do bring your own personal bottle to use too so that all touch points are kept as clean as possible. Your Teacher will be wiping down pool handrails in between each swimmer using them to enter and exit the pool. 

Entering the Water -  Please never enter the water until your Teacher is in the pool and has invited you to join them.  For your safety we will always insist that your Teacher is the first and last person in the pool at all times.  Your Teacher will advise you on the safest entry into the pool for both you and your baby and this in most situations will be passing your baby to the Teacher before you enter. At present. your Teacher will always be wearing a face mask during this transition in and out of the pool and will ask you to have your baby facing away from the Teacher to avoid face to face and will use outstretched arms and turn their face away wear possible.

Slippery surfaces - Please take care when moving around at your pool and ensure that toddlers are not able to run around as floors can get slippery. Please keep hold of your child at all times. This is not only to avoid slip and fall but to adhere to the one-way systems and social distancing that we have in place.

Food & Drink - Please ensure that no food is taken into or consumed within the pool building.

Photography - As is common practise at most nurseries, schools and other baby/child activities, and for ‘Health & Safety’ and ‘Data protection’ reasons, photography by parents or spectators is prohibited in and around the pool and pool facilities. This is a ‘condition of hire’ at many of our pool sites and some of our parents don’t wish to have their child featuring in other people’s photos.

First Aid - Every Aquatots Teachers is First Aid and Rescue Trained and this is retested on a yearly basis.  At every pool site you will be shown the location of the First Aid kit should it be required in an emergency and inside this kit will also be an Emergency Action Plan should it ever be required.

Emergency Exits - You will also be shown the location of the nearest Fire Exits for your pool.  In the event of a fire drill please ensure that you follow the instructions of your Teacher to leave the building as quickly as possible.

Excema, Sun Protection or other creams  -  Please ensure these are rinsed off prior to entering the pool.  Not only can these creams be detrimental to the water quality of yor swim venue but can also make your baby extremely slippery to hold in the water.

Spectators - We regret that spectators are not allowed at this time due to limiting numbers, protecting swim bubbles and social distancing at pools.

Correct Swimwear

Nappies - Our pools are lovely and warm so keeping covered up isn’t really an issue however we do of course want to avoid any embarrassing leaks into the pool so nappies are vital unless of course they are potty trained.  We ask that all babies are double wrapped in two tight fitting layers,  to be as well protected as possible and we strongly recommend the Happy Nappy which is a neoprene swim nappy proven to be the best protection on the market.  Underneath this it’s either a disposable swim nappy or even better for the environment and your pocket, an inner reusable nappy wrap. To see more on these items click here.

Please always take your disposable swim nappies home with you rather than leave at the pool side as many pool hirers insist these are not left on site.

Child illness 

IMPORTANT Coughs colds and general infections - children often have coughs and colds, eye or ear infections. At this time we would ask you to refrain from coming swimming if your child our anyone in your household is unwell and displaying any cold and flu like symptoms.  This is for everyone’s safety, to protect our Teachers and other swimmers from having to self- isolate and to ensure we can keep swimming.   

Stomach upsets

If your baby has experienced Sickness or Diarrhoea, please avoid coming swimming for a full 2 weeks after the last episode. There are a couple of chlorine resistant bugs where symptoms appear to come and go. These infections are very difficult to remedy once they get into the pool and often result in pool closure. Don't worry too much as your Teacher will always repeat skills that you may have missed.

The above information is just a brief guide and throughout your time with us we are sure you may have questions that arise.  Your Teacher will be happy to help you with any queries you may have and looks forward to meeting you soon.