Pre-School Framework

The Swim England Pre-School Framework is about building the beginnings of a lifelong love of water.

Every child should be given a chance to learn to swim and feel like they are comfortable and able to do so in any situation.

We believe that the first experiences during a child’s early years, of water and the pool environment, should be positive, fun and memorable.

Swim England Pre-School Framework, Confidence, and Awards

Swim School Enquiry

The key focus areas of the Pre-School Framework are:

Giving children confidence from the word go.
Teaching the core skills needed to learn the four strokes through fun and games.
The Pre-School Framework is about helping to support younger, less independent swimmers, pre-school children and babies.

It also caters for toddlers, helping to keep them motivated if they are struggling with building water confidence.

One of the ways to help keep them motivated is a range of bright Awards with fun and friendly characters to reward them as they progress.

Discovery Duckling Awards

These Swim England Pre-School Framework Awards are perfect for babies from birth (subject to Health Visitor advice being followed). They are also perfect for pre-school children who are new to swimming. Usually parents or carers will attend swimming lessons with their babies or young children and join them in the water. This helps to provide reassurance for the child and gives the parent or carer confidence in assisting their child in the water. Four separate Awards are available which begin with an introduction to the water and swimming environment through fun and games.

Duckling Awards

These Swim England Pre-School Framework Awards are a natural follow on from the Discovery Duckling Awards. They are aimed at children who are old enough to follow instructions and can move on their own. They give the child more independence and start to build their confidence in water. These Awards are used to slowly build up the child ready for the Learn to Swim Framework Stages 1-7. Again these lessons will usually be given as an adult and child lesson, where both are in the water. They could also be held with small groups of children and teaching assistants in the water.

I CAN Awards

1. Enter the water safely
2. Jump in
3. Float on my front
4. Float on my back
5. Roll over
6. Blow bubbles
7. Swim
8. Enter, turn, return
9. Exit safely

Register Your Interest

Learning to swim is a vital skill that lasts for a lifetime. Through fun-based lessons following the Swim England Learn to Swim Pathway, we have sessions for all – from beginners to advanced register your interest below.