Swimming Program
Scribbles and Giggles Childcare Centre Leppington offers Free weekly swimming lessons through BlueFit Swimming.
BlueFit Swimming is a National Learn To Swim Program with over 50 Swim Schools across Australia, making it easy for families to access high-quality swimming lessons close to home. Their experienced instructors cater to all ages and skill levels – from infants and preschoolers to teens and adults – focusing on water safety, confidence, and stroke development to encourage a lifelong love for swimming.
Benefits:
Essential Water Safety: While true “drown-proofing” doesn’t exist, early swim lessons are a critical layer of protection. Preschoolers learn life-saving basics, such as how to hold their breath, how to turn over and fl oat on their backs if they fall in, and how to safely reach for the wall. These fundamental skills drastically reduce the risk of water-related accidents.
Accelerated Brain Development: The bilateral movements used in swimming (moving both sides of the body simultaneously) help build new neural pathways in the brain. Studies have shown that children who learn to swim early often hit developmental milestones — like visual-motor skills, spatial awareness, and even mathematical concepts — faster than their non-swimming peers.
Emotional Autonomy (The Art of Letting Go): Stepping into the pool with an instructor means physically separating from mum or dad. Trusting a new adult — and learning to self-soothe if they feel a little nervous — is a massive milestone in emotional independence.
Confidence Through Competence: Water can be intimidating. When a preschooler realises they can blow bubbles, submerge their face, or float on their back, it gives them a tangible sense of mastery. That physical “I did it!” translates directly into self-esteem they carry back to everyday life.
Following Routines and Directions: In a swim class, kids have to listen to the instructor, follow a sequence of events, and wait their turn. They learn to manage their own impulses and participate in a structured environment without a parent guiding their every move.
Physical Body Awareness: Water fundamentally changes how gravity and movement feel. Figuring out how to kick to stay afl oat or reach for the wall teaches preschoolers how to control their own bodies and understand their physical boundaries and capabilities.
Social Skills and Peer Interaction: Group lessons are a fantastic, low-stakes environment for socialisation. Preschoolers learn how to share a confi ned space, wait their turn on the steps, and observe their peers. Watching another child conquer a fear, like jumping in or putting their face in the water, is often the exact motivation a hesitant child needs to try it themselves.