Frequently asked questions

Waiting lists 

Please contact Learn2@south-ayrshire.gov.uk with your child's full name, date of birth and preferred venue.

My child is on the waiting list, when will they get a space?

Spaces are allocated in date order . We regularly add new classes and provide additional staff to our teaching programme. As soon as your child is at the top of the list, you will recieve an email from a member of our team.

Allocation as of 01/05/2023 

Venue:- Troon

Class level:- Aqua Fun Dec 2020 - February 2021

Venue:- Maybole

Class Level:- Aqua Fun Feb 2022 - June 2022                        

Venue:- Prestwick

Class Level:- Aqua Fun August 2021 - December 2021                          

Venue:- Citadel

Class Level:- Aqua Fun July 2021 - November 2021                                          

When are my lessons on?

We operate 50 weeks per year with a closure from Monday 22nd December 2023 until Monday  8th January 2024. 

What age can my child start?

For Adult and Baby/Child classes children can start at any age. Government Health experts now believe that it is now no longer necessary to wait until your child has had all their vaccinations before going into the pool. However we advise 5-6 months and this is due to the temperature of the pool. Please always consult your health visitor if you are unsure.

How many Teachers are on poolside?

This depends on how many lessons are operating at that time. All classes have a designated teacher. Additional team members are in place for additional support where required. Throughout our phased return we have introduced additional staffing to support assessing and getting children back to pre-covid ability as well as progressing to new class levels. 

I have been told my child is ready to progress?

All moves will be actioned within 24-48hours of recieving notification from your class teachers handheld device. If we have a space at the same time your child will automatically be moved into the available space prior to the next swimming lesson. If we do not have space a memeber of our team will contact you with availability and to discuss options.

Do you have Lifeguard's on duty during lessons?

Lifeguards are on duty on poolside throughout all Learn 2 Swim programmes. This allows our teaching staff to focus solely on the class they are delivering to. 

Is my child supervised within the facility?

Yes, we have multiple teaching team members on poolside at all times along with other facility staff members throughout the building. We have also sent out video's of what to expect within our facilites to our customers. If you would like a copy of this please contact: learn2@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

How long should it take my child to learn to swim?

There is no definite timeline, different children take different amounts of time and find some skills easier to learn than others. If you take your child swimming out-with lessons there is a high probability that they will progress more quickly.

There won't always be leaps of progress every lesson or every week. It is normal for learning to plateau for periods, even regress at times and surge ahead at others.

Positive encouragement goes a long way in helping your child achieve great progress. Please discuss directly with your teacher should you have any enquiries regarding your child's progress.

What is likely to happen in lessons?

All children should be having fun. They should be involved in games-based activities to help them learn core swimming skills such as breathing, submerging and moving in the water. The swimming strokes should be introduced gradually once the child has acquired the basic core aquatic skills. Our lessons last around 30 minutes and children should be as active as possible throughout the lesson.

Games are built around key aquatic skills which are progressed over time. Travelling through the water without these essential skills slows down the overall process of learning to swim.

Why is my child playing games in a swimming lesson?

'Learning through play' is fundamental to the Scottish Swimming Framework so there'll be plenty of fun activities and games in the pool to keep swimming interesting for your child whilst teaching them a variety of skills. The activities are planned by the teacher and will ensure the children are challenged in different ways and are linked to the core aquatic skills which essential for learning more complex skills.

My child has a disability. Can they take part?

Of course. Lessons can be adapted as necessary to help all children achieve their potential. If your child has specific needs, please discuss this with our front line reception who will be able to advise you appropriately.

What can I do to help my child?

The earlier that a child becomes familiar with the aquatic environment and being in and around water the better. Even if you are not a strong swimmer just taking your child to the pool and playing and having fun in the water will help them develop their confidence and enjoy the positive experiences that the water can bring them.

In the home, encourage your child to have a bath and play in the water. Encourage them to get their hair wet and introduce them to putting their face in the water. Scottish Swimming have an Early Years bag with toys and activity cards to provide you with ideas for the bath and pool.

You can visit www.learntoswim.scot a designated webpage for our parents.

Can my child wear jewellery to swimming lessons?

All children should have jewellery removed for swimming lessons. Small earing studs are fine.

What should my child wear?

Children should wear appropriate swimwear. Baggy shorts below the knee and t-shirts hinder a child's swimming and can become dangerous in the water.

Why does my child swim in such a small area?

Within our Learn 2 Swim programme we are aiming to achieve good technique across shorter distances decreasing the chances of picking up bad habits and poor technique . Teachers within this smaller area are able to see all children and keep full control of the class, while giving essential on-going corrections. Children also benefit from repetition, improved instruction, ability to hear and see clear demonstrations and progress distance gradually.

My class has been cancelled will I get a refund?

If this has been a scheduled closure of facility and notice has been given no refund will be permitted as per your terms and conditions. In the event of a closure where we are unable to give you sufficient notice a refund for that lesson will be deducted from your next monthly payment.

As part of our Learn 2 Direct Debit system this provides each user with a minimum of 45 lessons per year although we run 50 weeks of the year (ultimately giving 4-5 free lessons).

My child's portal has not been updated who do I contact?

Firstly your class teacher will be able to answer this quickly at your next lesson, please advise a member of our team on arrival.

Portals are not currently in operation due to technical issues. We are able to utilise the homeportal for moving levels at present. Further updates will be sent to parents.

I want to discuss my child's progress in more detail with his/her teacher?

Feedback and Enquiry forms are available at all of our sites via reception. Teaching staff will be more than happy to make contact out-with your lesson time.

Please note this is not possible during prior to your lesson or during as the teacher is responsible for many other children.