FAQs

All teachers have an enhanced DBS check.

The teachers are in the water for all the baby and toddler classes. Teachers are also in the water for the beginners’ afterschool classes and are helped by an assistant.

There are up to six children and adult pairs in the baby and toddler classes and up to six children in the afterschool classes. There are up to eight children in the swimmer’s classes at Hurst College.

Teachers will support beginner children in the water. This will mean they will support the children under their armpits, behind their head and back when needed. Also, they may assist with leg and arm movements and hold them under their tummy. If you do not want your child to be held in the water then you must make this clear at the time of booking. Teacher support of young children in the water is, however, vital to their learning to swim.

After school classes start from 3.45pm on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and are half an hour long. The last class time is usually 4.45pm or 5.15pm. Classes at Hurst College start at 6.15pm and finish at 8.15pm.

Children can join the afterschool lessons from the September in which they start school.

Adult and baby and toddler classes run from 10 am to 12 noon on Tuesday to Friday, with the exception of Mondays, when they are in the afternoon.

Babies can start their swimming journey from as young as six weeks. Four months is usually a really good time start.

Baby and Toddler classes are £11 a lesson and paid for in advanced for six weeks at a total of £66. Pre School and afterschool lessons are £9 each and paid for in advance for 12 weeks at a cost of £108.

Yes. Simply Swim Sussex follows West Sussex School Term time. There are intensive courses available in the holidays.

What your child needs:

• Swimming costume/trunks
• Towel
• Goggles, if you have them
• Swimming hat – ask your teacher for a free Simply Swim hat. Your first one is free at the time of booking and then replacements are £3 each.

Please ensure babies wear a double nappy protection when in the pool. This is a disposable swim nappy with a neoprene one over the top. We sell the Zoggs neoprene nappies for £10 if you are unable to get one. Please take all used swim nappies home with you for disposal.

If your child is in the process of being potty trained then they only need a disposable swim nappy. A neoprene nappy is not required if you are happy your child will tell you when he/she needs the toilet.

No, your child does not need armbands or swimming aids in the lesson.

We will let your child learn at their own pace and give them time to settle into the lesson. We are experienced in helping many nervous children overcome their fears when starting swimming lessons.

No, we will not make your child put their face in the water. It is, however, something we encourage and practice until they are happy and confident to put their face in on their own. It is an essential skill for learning to swim.

Bring goggles if you have them. It is good for children to be able to swim without their goggles, but they are useful in the water to protect children’s eyes from the chlorine in the pool.

Adult and baby classes are grouped according to age. Within the group, each child is taught to their ability and can progress at their own pace.

Your child’s teacher will give the office a list in order of preference for the promotions to the next group that they would like to make, and you will be contacted by email if your child is ready to move.

Ideally, only one parent at a time should join the lesson, but if the class is quiet then it is sometimes possible for both parents to go in the pool. This has to be arranged prior to the lesson, through the office.

The pre school and after school classes achieve a STA Skills badge in the Autumn term and a STA distance badge in the summer term.

Each child is very different. Some children take to the water very quickly, and others will take a long time to learn the basics.

Yes, you can watch your child’s lesson.  Please take your shoes off or use shoe covers provided.  We also ask that you are quiet by poolside, as lots of parents chatting can be very distracting.

Your address is required for the invoice and your child’s date of birth is useful to have when organising the classes.  A mobile number is required in case we have to cancel a class at the last minute and need to ring you.  Your name and child’s name is needed for the register.

The adult and baby and toddler classes can make up a lesson if there is availability in a suitable class on another day.

Catch up classes are not offered for the afterschool classes.

Your child must be clear of all symptoms for at least 48 hours before attending lessons.

Ear infections, diarrhoea, sickness, chicken pox, impetigo, conjunctivitis or a bad cold.

No, you have to pay for the full course if you are going on holiday.  The adult and baby and toddler lessons can make up a lesson if there is availability in a suitable class on another day.

If lessons are cancelled, then a credit will be applied to the invoice for the following term.  If your child is not continuing their lessons during the next term then please contact the office for a lesson refund.

Most pools have communal changing facilities.

There is a separate area for male changing available at the pools.

Not all the pools have onsite parking.  Please check at time of booking if you need easy or disabled access.

The pools used for baby and toddler lessons run at 32 degrees Celsius. The larger pools run at 29 degrees Celsius.

We allow photographs to be taken in the lessons with the permission of other parents whose children are in the class.  The pictures are to be used for personal use only.

Please let us know of any medical condition which may put you or your child at risk in the swimming pool.