We welcome all children from 0 - 4 years & love helping them develop their water confidence: from that special first Splash, to their first Kick right through to the all-important first Swim and beyond. You can start swimming anytime; at any age up to 4 years old, and at any point in the term.
Our main aim is to make our pre-school and baby swimming lessons an inclusive, enchanting experience that gives your child vital life skills whilst they are having lots of fun!We are really excited to be opening brand new classes at a fabulous warm water swimming pool in Bournemouth at St Mark's School.
Our main aim is to make our pre-school and baby swimming lessons an inclusive, enchanting experience that gives your child vital life skills whilst they are having lots of fun!We are really excited to be opening brand new classes at a fabulous warm water swimming pool in Bournemouth at St Mark's School.
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Learn more about Baby Squids, our values, how to prepare before a lesson, or even about our amazing franchise opportunities. I'm Laura and I founded Baby Squids (previously known as Baby Paddlers) in 2012. I was frustrated trying to find good quality swim classes for my own young children and attended several swimming classes, but felt they lacked flexibility, friendliness and fun.
At Baby Squids we understand how quickly your baby develops and that's why our baby swimming classes are tailored to their developmental stage. We encourage babies to attend from birth, however, we welcome all abilities and invite you to join at any time. We love to work with parents on improving your child's water confidence, so if you are in any doubt give us a call and we can talk through everything we do.
It's good to take a couple of pairs of swim nappies as well as a few of your regular nappies for after swimming. At Baby Squids we ask that all our babies & toddlers wear a double nappy system, with a neoprene nappy worn over a disposable or reusable "under" nappy.
Most babies, particularly in our hydrotherapy pools are happy to swim in just their neoprene nappy & "under" nappy, however, every baby is very different; some feel the cold and others are always toasty so you might want to wear a wetsuit also.While public pools will require your baby to wear a swim nappy, it's up to you if you choose to put your little one in an infant swimming costume.
Most babies, particularly in our hydrotherapy pools are happy to swim in just their neoprene nappy & "under" nappy, however, every baby is very different; some feel the cold and others are always toasty so you might want to wear a wetsuit also.While public pools will require your baby to wear a swim nappy, it's up to you if you choose to put your little one in an infant swimming costume.
Looking to extend your existing swimming teaching work or perhaps totally change career and re-qualify as a swimming instructor? Baby Squids offer a number of unique opportunities, from teaching swimming lessons a few hours a week to running your own franchise. The key to all this is flexibility. As long as we have a happy customer base then you work when you want.
We have a variety of swimming classes in Devon, our fully qualified swimming instructors run classes in Exeter, Chudleigh, Totnes and Crediton. We teach babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers (aged 0 - 4) across all of these swimming pools. All of our Baby Squids have lots of fun, learn important water safety skills whilst following our structured milestones programme.
Reviews (19)
Sarah Boland
Jan 04, 2022
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Emily Dudman
Nov 18, 2021
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The swimming lessons with Baby Squids New Forest have been amazing. Heather was great and the way they built up my twins confidence in the water was always well planned and kept fun with lots of toys and singing. The pool at Ashurst was excellent, always very clean and well organised. We couldn't recommend the classes enough.
Kim Walsh
Oct 22, 2021
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My daughter and I, loved attending the baby squid sessions at Hoburne park. These were any normal baby swim classes - they engage with you and child. Each week was a new theme - with blocks and shapes to build. The best part for my daughter was jumping in and jelly on a plate on large float. Defo recommend and I will be back for sure. Thanks again
Hannah Reeve
Jul 13, 2021
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Really great swim school for toddlers. My little girl loves it she has become so much more confident with jumping in going under water and kicking and using her arms. They have lots of props which makes every lesson different which is great. Although lots of props can sometimes be a bit of a distraction for my little girl but I have no complaints. I would 100% recommend! X
Anna Scott
Jul 09, 2021
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Dominique Betts
Jul 06, 2021
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Weston super Mare, The Campus Hydro Pool.
Lovely little class, very friendly and usually only a few others in the class with you so it doesn’t feel intimidating at all. Nice and relaxing in there with dimmed lights and a lovely warm/hot pool. My 15 month old had only been to a pool with me to play before, so I wasn’t sure he would be bothered with a class, but he was really engaged in each session and loved the big float where they get to sing and jump off of. Sessions seem short at 20 minutes, but my boy is tired at this point so it’s ideal. You could tell the other babies who had attended
Lovely little class, very friendly and usually only a few others in the class with you so it doesn’t feel intimidating at all. Nice and relaxing in there with dimmed lights and a lovely warm/hot pool. My 15 month old had only been to a pool with me to play before, so I wasn’t sure he would be bothered with a class, but he was really engaged in each session and loved the big float where they get to sing and jump off of. Sessions seem short at 20 minutes, but my boy is tired at this point so it’s ideal. You could tell the other babies who had attended
Jemma Shanley
Jun 21, 2021
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We started at baby squids when Ruairà was 6 months. Emma the instructor was such a joy from the start, she’s always so kind, calm, warm and reassuring and puts all the babies at ease in and out of the water. We loved our swimming lessons so much, seeing the visible joy being in the water gives Ruairà it’s just priceless. Thank you baby squids Southampton x
David Sanders
May 13, 2021
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Sarah Wooding
Apr 13, 2021
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Daisy Hatfield
Mar 10, 2021
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Emma Gelder
Nov 02, 2020
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Jo Bxrthwick
Oct 24, 2020
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Baby Squids has been fantastic. They have been our first lessons with my 6 month old and they have made everything really easy. My baby has made lots of progress in her first term with Lauren who has been very supportive throughout. It has also all been COVID secure which in this current climate has been exceptional. I would highly recommend them.
Lydia Tranckle
Sep 08, 2020
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Karen Murray
Jul 26, 2020
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Lovely class and great teacher (Nadina) at highcliffe . The pool is super warm and safe .
I take my nephew who is nearly three.
Nadina engages well with both the adults and toddlers and is patient and fun.
She uses lots of stimulating toys to encourage the little ones and changes it up each week.
Well worth attending her classes .
I take my nephew who is nearly three.
Nadina engages well with both the adults and toddlers and is patient and fun.
She uses lots of stimulating toys to encourage the little ones and changes it up each week.
Well worth attending her classes .
Shirley Austin
Jul 14, 2020
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Really impressed with the baby squids team and their ethos around teaching to swim. The classes were fun and engaging and no pressure to put baby's head under the water.
Also their dedication to cleanliness and hygiene in and out of the pool was excellent.
We are really looking forward to our next term!
Also their dedication to cleanliness and hygiene in and out of the pool was excellent.
We are really looking forward to our next term!
Fi Greenlees
Mar 05, 2020
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Roz Heys-Limonard
Dec 04, 2019
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Leigh Forester
Aug 06, 2019
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We've been so impressed with Baby Paddlers as a whole - the lovely people behind the scenes but also so oncresincr happy with our swim teacher; Kristina, who has gone above and beyond to provide the best possible start to swimming for our daughter. Each lesson is tailored to the class with fun and interesting activities. Kristina takes the time truly get to know her group on an individual and personal level. A truly wonderful teacher!!!!
Devon
Devon
Phil H.
Jul 10, 2019
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