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Learning to swim is one of the most important life skills children can acquire, especially in Australia, where swimming is an integral part of childhood development. Swimming lessons for toddlers and preschoolers not only provide children with the opportunity to have fun in the water but also equip them with essential water safety and survival skills. Whether your little one is taking their first splash or perfecting their stroke, finding the right swim school can make a world of difference.

Sydney boasts a range of top-rated swim schools offering expert-led lessons tailored specifically for toddlers and preschoolers. These programs are designed to nurture water safety, build confidence, and lay the foundation for a lifetime of swimming. From the renowned Carlile Swimming, with over 65 years of experience, to the City of Sydney Pools' world-class Learn to Swim curriculum, there are plenty of options for families looking to enrol their children in the best swimming programs in Sydney.

All over Sydney, you'll find a swim school that prioritises safety and fun for your little swimmer at these top-rated swim schools for toddlers and preschoolers. 

Swim Schools for Toddlers & Preschoolers in Sydney

1. City of Sydney Pools 

 

The City of Sydney operates five world-class aquatic leisure centres , offering quality, affordable swimming lessons for children from 6 months old. Their classes are fun and informative, and will establish a great foundation for little swimmers. City of Sydney Pools offer classes that follow Swim Australia and AUSTSWIM guidelines, ensuring a focus on water safety, confidence, and skill development from the very first lesson. Join anytime!

You can take your pick from:

• Prince Alfred Park Pool in Surry Hills
• Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in Ultimo
• Cook + Phillip Park Pool in Sydney City
• Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Zetland

Enrol your child in one of the City of Sydney's Pools swim schools today!

2. KICK Learn To Swim

 

At KICK Learn To Swim, children not only learn how to swim but also how to love swimming. The privately owned swim school in Sydney's east is accessible only for their learn-to-swim programs;  no other members of the general public use the pool. Highly experienced and qualified teachers lead small class sizes, creating a highly successful program.

The Droplets program is the first introduction to swimming in their heated pool for babies and toddlers aged six months to three years. They will learn floating, submersion, propulsion, kicking, and other important swimming skills as they become confident, more independent swimmers for life.

Location: 100 New South Head Road, Edgecliff
Book your child in at KICK Learn To Swim.

3. Carlile Swim

If you want your toddler to learn to swim in a safe, caring environment with expert teachers well beyond industry standards, then Carlile Swim is perfect. The small, personalised lessons allow their teachers to understand each child's needs. They help build confidence and skills while nurturing a love of the water. This is particularly important for preschool children who are just beginning their swimming journey.

The program is entirely skills-based, so children build confidence at each level before progressing to the next. It’s been developed and refined over the 65 years that Carlile has been at the cutting edge of learning to swim. Carlile pioneered teaching babies, opened Sydney’s first indoor teaching pool and operates 12 facilities across Sydney:

• Castle Cove - 9538 7703
• Caringbah - 7501 5099
• Carlingford - 9538 7701
• Cherrybrook - 9538 7704
• Cromer - 8415 8633
• Five Dock - 9538 7705
• Freshwater - 9538 7706
• Killarney Heights - 9538 7700
• Lane Cove West - 9538 7707
• Norwest (Baulkham Hills) - 9659 7665
• Ryde - 9538 7709
• Ryde Aquatic Centre - 9808 3199

Each pool features warm water and air, using the world’s best-practice technology to maintain hygiene. Your child can take their swimming as far as they desire, learning at a world-renowned school that helps bring out the best swimmer in each child.

Location: Multiple across Sydney.
Find out more about Carlile Swim’s toddler and preschool swim classes in Sydney.

4. Duck and Dive Baby Swim School

 

Run by a family for families, Duck And Dive Baby Swim School caters to babies aged zero to three years in a fun, educational, and nurturing environment. With kids' swimming classes covering the Inner West, North Shore, and St George areas, there’s always room for your little swimmers to learn essential swimming skills.

At Duck And Dive, parents are taught how to swim their babies competently above and below the water surface by highly trained and experienced teachers, all of whom are parents themselves. Lessons are always structured and progressive in pools that are exceptionally well maintained and heated to a cosy 32 degrees!

Location: Artarmon and Kogarah
Enrol your child at Duck And Dive Baby Swim School.

5. Terrey Hills Swim School

 

Terrey Hills Swim School is one of the longest-running and most highly regarded swim schools on the Northern Beaches. Run by trained swim coaches with a strong desire to teach kids essential water survival skills (and to have fun while doing so!), Terrey Hills Swim School is the place to start your child’s swimming journey.

Their Aqua Duck and Aqua Tots classes are ideal for first-time swimmers aged four months to four years and run for 30 minutes in a heated pool where parents are invited to join in.

Location: 31 Myoora Road, Terrey Hills
Find out more about Terrey Hills Swim School. 

6. Aquatic Achievers, Alexandria

 

If your little one is more of a splash-about duck than a swimmer (for now), Aquatic Achievers in Alexandria and Warriewood is a brilliant place to start. Lessons begin as early as 4 months, with expert instructors certified through AustSwim and a structured program that builds comfort, safety awareness, control and skills. For ages 3-5, their KindySwim programs nurture independence in the water, core safety habits, and social learning in an indoor heated pool that’s warm and welcoming year-round. Book a free starter session today. 

Locations: 184 Bourke Road, Alexandria and 6/2 Daydream Street, Warriewood
Find out more about their Kindy Swim Program.

7. AustGrade

 

Safe, friendly, and effective swimming lessons are on offer at AustGrade in Mascot. The AUSTSWIM-accredited swim school focuses on teaching babies and toddlers the proper stroke and safety tactics to apply when in the water.

The youngest class at AustGrade is their Koalas class, which caters to kids aged 4 to 12 months, while their older Wallabies class is perfect for toddlers aged 2 to 3. 

Location: 1205 Botany Road, Mascot
Book your child in at AustGrade Swim School, Mascot.

More Water Fun in Sydney

Baby Swim Schools In Sydney
Sydney Swim Schools For Older Kids
Sydney's Best Ocean Pools
 

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