Baby & Toddler (and beyond) Swimming Lessons in North East England

Advertisement - this post has been sponsored by PaddlePod, a lush local business who I have used in the past and I am more than happy to recommend.

Under the current UK roadmap and at at time of publishing, swimming pools can re-open from 12th April. Hurrah! Prior to the pandemic, my three used to go swimming once a week after school and I would say it is the one thing they have really missed above all else this year. Swimming has so many health and wellbeing benefits and is something they really enjoy too.

It makes me so sad to think that so many babies have yet to experience their first swim and that children have missed out on this activity for so long. We cannot wait to be back.

Swimming Lessons at PaddlePod

PaddlePod are a lovely local business with leisure venues including swimming pools in Shiremoor and Killingworth. Their venues include brilliant facilities which have been designed with families in mind, state-of-the-art swimming pools and follow very strict safety and COVID guidelines including:

Immaculate changing rooms with private family cubicles which are lovely and warm
Pools heated up to 32 degrees
Extremely vigilant & highly trained lifeguards on duty
Ample hand sanitiser
One way systems in place
Lessons adapted to work safely within COVID guidelines
Hand washing facilities throughout
Small lesson/class sizes and limited numbers for family swims
Toilet facilities throughout the building including poolside
Multiple baby change areas

Lessons run seven days per week at both PaddlePod North Tyneside (Shiremoor) and PaddlePod Newcastle (Killingworth) and there are over 450 sessions to choose from.

Classes and private lessons are available at PaddlePod for all ages and abilities from newborns up to ages 12+, and from absolute beginners up to those who are approaching competitor standard.

Lessons are available to book now - you can browse lessons and book online here.

Baby, Toddler & Pre-School Swim Sessions & Lessons

Baby, Toddler & Pre-School Swim Sessions are provided at PaddlePod by NemoSwim. NemoSwim is an award-winning provider with over 10 years experience. Their swimming lessons and sessions have been specifically tailored to how children develop at various ages.

Nemo Babies Swim Lessons at PaddlePod (0-6 months and 6-18 months)

NemoSwim's award-winning baby swimming lessons offer the ideal opportunity for your baby to take their first splashes and aim to build water confidence in a safe environment.
Baby sessions include an instructor and parent/carer in the water.
Class sizes are small and sessions have been adapted to work safely within COVID restrictions.
The cost is £49.50 per month and there are multiple times & dates to choose from - find out more and book here.
Baby changing facilities and private changing cubicles are available.
Easy to find locations with free onsite parking.
Cafe and small soft play area onsite which is perfect for catching up with friends post-swim (will reopen when restrictions allow - hopefully from 17th May subject to review).

Nemo Toddlers Swim Lessons at PaddlePod (15-24 months, 21-30 months and 30-36 months)

These sessions have been specifically designed for toddlers and develop the skills and confidence needed to start swimming independently.
Toddler sessions include an instructor and parent/carer in the water.
Class sizes are small and have been adapted to work safely within COVID restrictions.

The cost is £49.50 per month and there are multiple times and dates to choose from - find out more and book here.
Private changing cubicles and pool-side toilets are available.
Easy to find locations with free onsite parking.
Cafe and small soft play area onsite which is perfect for catching up with friends post-swim (will reopen when restrictions allow - hopefully from 17 May subject to review).

Nemo Pre-School Sessions at PaddlePod ( 3 & 4 year olds)

These sessions have been specifically designed for pre-school children to progress as strong and confident swimmers. Children will start to develop swimming strokes, their diving skills and start to earn their first swim badges.
Pre-School Sessions include two instructors in the water and parents/carers are able to watch from the large viewing area/cafe.
There are up to 8 students per class and lessons have been adapted to work safely within COVID restrictions

The cost is £49.50 per month with various days/times available - find out more and book here.
Private changing cubicles are available.
Easy to find locations with free onsite parking.
Cafe and small soft play area onsite with a large viewing area which is perfect to entertain younger children / relax with a coffee / catch up with friends during the lesson (cafe and soft play will reopen when restrictions allow - hopefully 17 May subject to review).
If you are just starting out with swim lessons at this age, it is recommended you book into a red (beginner) level. If your child has regularly attended swimming lessons in the past, it is recommended you book into an orange + (intermediate) lesson. If you have any questions or are unsure about which class to book into, email hello@paddlepod.co.uk and they will be happy to help.

Cafe and Soft Play Facilities at PaddlePod North Tyneside (Shiremoor)

Cafe and pool viewing area at PaddlePod North Tyneside (Shiremoor)

Swimming Lessons for School Aged Children (4 - 12+ years)

Baby & Toddler (and beyond) Swimming Lessons in North East England - Swimming Pool Shiremoor

PaddlePod offers a range of award-winning group and private lessons for school aged children. Lessons for this age group are provided by SwimNE, a swim school with over 15 years experience, lots of expertise and thousands of happy customers.

SwimNE provides structured lessons for all abilities from absolute beginners right up to pre-competitor stage and those who wish to challenge themselves and continue to swim for fun and fitness. Again, email hello@paddlepod.co.uk if you are unsure which session is right for your child and they will be happy to help. I have attached a general ability guide below.

SwimNE sessions are suitable for school-aged children (from reception age up to ages 12+).

Group sessions have up to six members per class. Parents and carers can observe from the viewing area/cafe.

Private 1-1 or 2-1 sessions are also available.

Prices start from £34.51 per month - find out more and book here.

Family Swim Sessions & Private Hire

Family Swim sessions are able to restart from 12th April (so long as Boris allows) and information regarding family swim bookings and private hire will be available soon. I recommend following PaddlePod on Facebook here and signing up to their newsletter here (scroll to the bottom) for updates.

We enjoyed a family swim at PaddlePod North Tyneside (Shiremoor) last summer and had the best time. Honestly the kids were just so happy! The pool was a lovely temperature, I felt very safe with a super vigilant lifeguard on duty and the facilities are second to none and super clean. Once restrictions allow, if you are looking for a pool party venue, PaddlePod is ideal and private hire prices include a highly trained lifeguard and various inflatables.

Click here to read about our experience when we privately hired PaddlePod North Tyneside.

The pools are both PaddlePod venues are 1.3m deep. PaddlePod North Tyneside (Shiremoor) is a 15m pool and PaddlePod Newcastle (Killingworth) is a 25m pool.

Family Swim Sessions start at £25 per private area (or you can hire the whole pool) and include inflatables, toys and floats as well as a lifeguard. Children under 8 are required to be supervised by an adult in the water with one adult able to supervise up to two under 8s.

PaddlePod Facilities

For me, what really sets PaddlePod apart (as well as their exceptional staff) is just how fantastic their facilities are. Some of these may not be able to re-open just yet but will as soon as Boris allows (at time of print, that date is 17 May subject to review for facilities such as indoor cafes and soft play).

I will honestly never take swimming with the kids followed by a hot chocolate for granted in the cafe again and cannot wait to do this in the summer!

Cafes onsite serving local coffee, drinks and snacks
Cafes with panoramic viewing windows for parents to enjoy a hot drink whilst they watch their child swim (within lesson guidelines)
Small soft play areas available for private hire or for little ones to enjoy after a swim or during a sibling swim
Activity rooms which are available for private hire / birthday parties and used by local providers to provide a range of classes for babies and children
Free onsite parking
Ample, spotlessly clean toilet facilities with baby changing areas
Private, immaculate changing rooms