Children's Swimming Lessons

Learn To Swim

We specialise in children’s swimming lessons that combine fun, safety, and skill-building. Tailored to kids aged 4 to 13, our programme is designed to guide young swimmers from their very first strokes all the way to advanced swimming techniques.

Toddler learning how to swim in a butterfly stroke
Toddlers and kids holding the edge of the pool looking up and listening during their swimming lesson

Small Class Sizes

Our classes are limited to just six children, half the national standard! This means more tailored instruction, better progress tracking, and a more enjoyable learning experience for your child.

Friendly teacher talking to her learners whilst they listen attentively

aligned with swim england

Our swimming lessons are aligned with Swim England's national standards with standardised teaching. With a focus on clear goals, your child will see measurable progress in their skills and confidence at every stage of learning.

A lifeguard in a bright yellow top stood next to the swimming pool

Exclusive Comforts

Relax in our comfortable seating area while watching your child's lesson. Post-swim, your child can enjoy our luxury amenities like private showers, underfloor heating, and complimentary Dyson hairdryers – because little details make big differences.

Clean modern changing facilities at Swim Central, Preston

Swimming Stages

Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 6
Stage 7
Swim Central's Crab W character

Stage 1

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Swimmers will develop water confidence skills, basic safety awareness and movement skills.

At the end of this stage our swimmers will be able to do the following;

Strokes

  • Move forward and backwards for a distance of 5 metres
    Push and Glide

Skills

  • Scoop the water and wash the face
    Be comfortable with water showered from overhead
    Move between floating positions

Safety

  • Enter the water safely
    Start to understand pool rules
    Exit the water safely
Swim Central's Crab W character

Stage 2

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Swimmers are introduced to aquatic breathing and taught to make safe entries into the water, including jumping.

At the end of this stage our swimmers will be able to do the following;

Strokes

  • Push and glide without support Travel using recognised leg actions Move forwards and backwards for 5 metres

Skills

  • Blow bubbles with nose and mouth submerged Moving into different positions without support

Safety

  • Jump in from poolside safely Further understanding of pool safety and rules
Swim Central's Jellyfish A character

Stage 3

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Swimmers will develop kicks on both their front and back, learn safe entries into the water and travel 10 metres on their front and back. Water safety knowledge and rotation skills will also be progressed.

At the end of this stage our swimmers will be able to do the following;

Strokes

  • Travel 5 metres on the front and roll onto the back Push and glide and travel 10 metres

Skills

  • Jump in from poolside and submerge Sink and push away from wall in streamline Fully submerge and pick up an object

Safety

  • A further understanding of water safety Understand pool rules Identify the water safety messages
Swim Central's Jellyfish A character

Stage 4

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Swimmers perfect their kicks for all four strokes and develop push and glides as well as gaining an understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills. They will also start to build up to swimming 10 metres.

At the end of this stage our swimmers will be able to do the following;

Strokes

  • Kick 10 metres backstroke, front crawl, butterfly and breaststroke. Push and glide for 10 metres

Skills

  • Sequences of changing floating shapes Perform sculling action for 5 metres

Safety

  • Fully understand the four key water safety messages
Swim Central's Shark T character

Stage 5

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Swimmers develop skills in treading water, learn the correct arm pulls for all four strokes and how to do handstands and somersaults. They will also learn the basic technique to perform all four strokes fully.

At the end of this stage our swimmers will be able to do the following;

Strokes

  • Push, glide and swim backstroke, front crawl, breaststroke and butterfly for 10 metres

Skills

  • Stationary scull on back Perform different shaped jumps into the water

Safety

  • Tread water for 30 seconds Demonstrate the action for getting help
Swim Central's Scuba Diver E character

Stage 6

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Swimmers learn how to prepare for exercise while continuing to develop an efficient technique for all four strokes. Coordination, breathing and an understanding of water safety are also enhanced.

At the end of this stage our swimmers will be able to do the following;

Strokes

  • Swim 25 metres with choice of stroke Push, glide and swim all four strokes for at least 10 metres

Skills

  • Push and glide from the wall on front and back

Safety

  • Give examples of how to prepare for exercise Perform a 'shout and signal rescue'
Swim Central's Octopus R character

Stage 7

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Swimmers fully focus on developing all four strokes as well as building stamina and strength to swim 100 metres.

At the end of this stage our swimmers will be able to do the following;

Strokes

  • Push, glide and swim 25 metres of each stroke to the Swim England standard Swim 100 metres, using a minimum of 3 different strokes

Skills

  • Perform a sitting dive Complete an obstacle course with feet off the floor throughout

Safety

  • Tread water for 30 seconds using the eggbeater leg kick

Our Happy Swimmers

At Swim Central, we're committed to providing a best in class experience for our learners and casual swimmers alike.

  • The facility at Swim Central is phenomenal. Malaika is a great teacher and is enthusiastic with kids, keep up the great work!

  • Took my Granddaughter for her first swimming session she loved it and can’t wait till her next one lovely staff great facilities

  • Had the kids first swim session today and this place is amazing. Plenty of Space, clean, well maintained and plenty of teachers in the pool.

  • My 4-year-old son has recently started on a Saturday with Zara. Honestly, I’m So impressed i never thought my son would be confident to swim without clinging onto an adult but in the 1st lesson he was swimming independently! Never thought I’d see the day after going to 2 other swim schools that weren’t able to achieve this. Also, Finley loves his lessons and can’t wait to get to them. He asks to go and is happy when he is there. Money well spent.

  • Excellent facility, can see both of my children quickly progressing and the online assessment progress is updated regularly. Great changing rooms, clean with heated floor! Would definitely recommend

  • I love this place.. fullwood best pool for kids to learn and enjoy. Staff and trainers are really good. Facility is well maintained. My kid loves swimming at this centre.

  • Welcoming, peaceful atmosphere. My son is loving his swimming lessons, building confidence. We have had two teachers, Tom and Jameel and they are both fantastic. As is everyone working there.

  • My son is always looking forward to his Sunday sessions with Malkia and I have seen a significant increase in his confidence in the water. Although I have seen a minor rise in class number, I also observe that the classes now include a lot more enjoyable games and the students’ swimming skills are growing.

  • The nicest learning pool I have ever been to!!! So clean, temperature of the water is nice and the biggest plus for my boys is the swimming instructor gets in the water!!! My boys love it and everyone else I know loves it too. It is more expensive than some other places but you can see the value so it’s justified.

  • track & celebrate your child’s swimming progress

    Track and monitor your child’s swimming lessons through our Course Pro portal. Our swim instructors post regular updates so that you can check your child’s advancements in real-time, observe the skills they’ve mastered, and understand the specific stages of their development. It’s transparency at your fingertips, ensuring you’re always in the loop with your Childs progress and achievements.

    We also offer certificates for when your child has completed a stage. These highlight the skills and targets your child has accomplished, mirroring the updates seen on the Course Pro portal. It’s an excellent way to motivate and celebrate your child’s swimming milestones.

    Two swimmers racing down the pool

    Find the perfect fit

    We understand the importance of placing your child in the right class that matches their skill level and confidence. Our easy-to-use SwimStage Checker helps you quickly determine the most suitable stage for your child.

    Swim Central Swim Central Swim Central Swim Central Swim Central

    Dedicated one to one swimming lessons for kids

    One to one children’s swimming lessons offer a highly personalised and adaptable approach to each child’s learning. Focused on individual needs and pace, these private swimming lessons for children are perfect for overcoming water anxiety, accommodating specials needs, or accelerating progress

    A child with goggles practicing proper breathing in her swimming classes
    Swim teacher helping a student with his backstroke swim
    Swimming tutor demonstrating and explaining techniques to her class

    Competitive Pricing

    Our sessions are competitively priced at only £55 per month. We keep our class sizes to a minimum to ensure each child gets the attention they need.

    Payments are set up by direct debit for your convenience to ensure your child gets uninterrupted support for their swimming.

    Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the depth of the swimming pool?

    The pool measures 20m by 7m and has a constant depth of 1.3m.

  • How much does a swimming lesson cost?

    Our swimming lessons are priced at just £55 per month, which includes one 30-minute lesson per week at the same time each week during your chosen time slot.

    We also offer private lessons for £99 per 30-minute session if you prefer individual attention or have specific goals.

  • What should I do if my child is ill and misses a swimming lesson?

    We understand that children can sometimes fall ill unexpectedly. If your child is unwell and needs to miss a swimming lesson, please inform us as soon as possible via phone or email. While we do not offer make-up lessons for missed classes, we appreciate you letting us know so we can plan accordingly.

    If your child is unwell with a contagious illness, we kindly ask that you keep them home to avoid spreading it to other swimmers.

  • Is there a viewing facility for use during the lesson?

    Yes, we have a comfortable viewing gallery where parents, family, and friends can relax and watch their loved ones learn and progress in the water. Younger siblings can also attend but they must be accompanied by an adult if under 12 years old.

  • How long is each swimming lesson?

    Each swimming lesson at Swim Central is 30 minutes long. This intensive session allows for focused attention from our instructors and ample time for you to practice and refine your skills. Lessons are held weekly at the same time each week during your chosen time slot, making it easy to incorporate swimming into your routine. The cost for our weekly 30-minute lessons is £55 per month.

  • What should I bring to my lesson?

    To make the most of your swim lesson at Swim Central, we recommend bringing a swimsuit, a large towel, goggles if required, your preferred shower supplies, and a change of clothes. We have hair dryers available in the changing rooms for use free of charge and secure lockers.

    Babies and toddlers will also need a swim diaper (reusable or disposable).

    Swim Central will provide any equipment such as floats and armbands during the lesson and we have a small store for customers to purchase any additional items they require at the front desk.

  • What is the minimum age to start swim lessons?

    We offer lessons for adults of all ages and abilities

    • Babies (6 months and up): Our baby swim lessons focus on water acclimation, basic safety skills, and bonding with parents in a gentle and playful environment.
    • Children: Our children’s lessons follow a structured Learn to Swim program that teaches essential water safety skills, stroke development, and builds confidence in the water.
    • Adults: We offer adult lessons for all levels, from beginners who have never been in the water before to experienced swimmers looking to refine their technique or learn new strokes.
  • Does my child need to be assessed or can I book onto a lesson straight away?

    Your child does not need a formal assessment before booking a lesson. You can use our Swim Stage Checker tool on the website to get an idea of which stage would be most suitable for your child. However, if you’re unsure, feel free to book them into a class, and our experienced instructors will assess their ability during the first lesson. We can then easily move your child to a more appropriate class if needed.

  • Is there parking?

    Yes, we have a free car park on Fulwood Central, it gives you 2.5hrs but if you need longer just leave your registration plate number with reception!

  • What is the temperature of the pool?

    We keep the pool heated at 31 degrees.

  • Do you teach children with a disability?

    Yes, our teachers are trained to work with children with disabilities, however we don’t currently offer disability specific sessions. Our booking system offers you the opportunity to tell us about your child in more detail and how we can support them as best we can during lessons.

  • What if the class I want to book is full?

    Our online booking system will show how many spaces are available for each of our classes. You can add your details to the waiting list, and this will notify you by email when a space comes available.

  • How can I cancel my lessons?

    We understand that circumstances can change. If you need to cancel your swim lessons, we require notice of one full payment cycle. This ensures that we can adjust our class schedules and offer your spot to someone on our waiting list.

    E.G: Your billing date is the 1st of the month. If you cancel on March 28th, your lessons will continue until the end of March. Your final payment will be taken on April 1st, and your cancellation will be effective from May 1st onwards.

  • How do I pay for lessons?

    Payment for all swimming lessons at Swim Central is conveniently handled through a monthly direct debit system. You can easily set up your direct debit payment securely through our website when you register for your chosen class and time slot. The monthly fee covers your weekly 30-minute lesson, ensuring a hassle-free experience so you can focus on enjoying your time in the water.

  • What happens if classes are cancelled?

    In the rare event that Swim Central needs to cancel a class due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., pool maintenance, instructor illness), we will notify you as soon as possible via email or phone. You will have the option to reschedule your lesson for another time or receive a credit towards a future lesson. We understand the importance of consistency in learning to swim and strive to minimise any disruptions to your schedule.

  • Can I take pictures?

    Unfortunately not, due to sharing classes with other babies we ask for no photography or videos.

  • Our philosophy is to create safe and talented swimmers through our innovative, fun and detailed syllabus. It has been designed by Swim England, the National Governing Body for swimming and the programme caters for swimmers of all ages and levels at all rates of progression, ensuring not to leave anyone behind.

    Additional support is on hand for those who need it, as well as a talent identification process to progress those future swim stars!