WATERBABIES
Give your baby a calm, positive start in the water with Carlile Swim’s infant and baby swimming lessons, starting from around four months of age. Gentle, play-based classes help your child feel relaxed in the pool, grow more confident, and begin learning real water safety skills.
WATERBABIES
Carlile Swim’s infant and baby swimming program (often called Waterbabies) supports children from around four months of age through to approximately two and a half to three years. Classes group children by age and ability so each baby feels safe, challenged at the right level and able to progress at a comfortable pace. A parent or carer joins the child in the water for every class.
Across the program, your child will:
Classes run once a week in small groups, with consistent teachers and clear progress through levels.
Each baby grows and develops at a different rate. Carlile Swim uses levels to group babies and infants with similar needs, so skills are built step by step. Below are the 4 levels in our Waterbabies program and what to expect at each level:
The Starfish Level is all about helping young swimmers feel safe, supported, and happy in the water. With the guidance of a parent or carer, children begin to explore the water environment through gentle, playful activities that lay the foundation for future swimming skills.
The Clownfish Level focuses on helping young swimmers become more confident and independent in the water. With gentle support and fun, skill-based activities, children begin to explore breath control, floating, and early swimming movements, all while learning essential safety habits.
The Octopus Level supports swimmers as they become more confident underwater, begin floating independently, and take early steps toward swimming on their own. With gentle support and encouragement, children build essential safety and movement skills in a fun and engaging way.
The Turtle Level is all about helping swimmers become more independent and confident in the water. At this stage, children begin to link together key skills like floating, breathing, and swimming, while also learning how to respond safely in different water situations.
Unsure what level is correct for your child? We’ve created an easy online tool that will help guide you to the correct level. Click the button below, answer a few short questions, and you’ll know the correct level for your child within the Carlile Swim program.
Parents often feel more relaxed when they know what to expect. Baby swimming lessons at Carlile follow a clear pattern so you and your child can settle in quickly.
Plan to arrive a little early. This gives you time to:
Once class begins and you enter the water, the teacher leads the group through the class. Each class balances repetition with progression.
A typical baby swimming lesson includes:
Teachers keep a close eye on each baby’s comfort and adjust tasks for the child’s stage and mood on the day.
At the end of the lesson, you can have a brief chat with the teacher about how your baby went and what to look for next time. Then it is time for a warm shower, dry clothes and a feed or snack. Many babies relax and sleep well after class due to the gentle exercise and stimulation.
At Carlile Swim, we believe every child deserves the best start in learning to swim. Our approach is built on decades of experience and a commitment to safety, confidence, and fun. Here’s what makes our teaching world-class:
Child-Centred Learning
Lessons are designed to match each child’s stage of development, helping them progress at their own pace.
Safety & Confidence Focus
We teach skills that make children safer in and around water while building trust and enjoyment.
Highly Trained Teachers
Our team receives ongoing training to deliver consistent, caring, and effective swimming lessons.
Small Class Sizes
Small class sizes means more individual attention, better learning and stronger results.
Proven Program
Our method has been refined over 80 years and is recognised internationally for its success.
Positive & Encouraging
Our teachers are trained on how to make swimming is fun so children look forward to every lesson.
Australia's #1 Swim School
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
A legacy of innovation, leadership and world-class teaching that has shaped generations of confident swimmers. Founded in 1946, Carlile continues to set the benchmark for learn-to-swim in Australia.
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
From water confidence to elite performance, our programs are structured, progressive and backed by 250+ Australian Open gold medals, 8 world record holders and 50+ national representatives.
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
Every Carlile instructor is trained far beyond industry standards, ensuring consistent, technique-led lessons that help children build confidence and progress with clarity. Supervisors support every lesson to maintain quality and safety.
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
The Carlile teaching program was shaped by Olympic gold medallists and International Swimming Hall of Famers. Their expertise continues to guide how our program evolves to give families the very best learning outcomes.
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
Carlie built Australia’s first purpose designed indoor teaching pool and pioneered baby and toddler teaching. Today our pools are specifically designed to support our teaching program helping children feel safe, comfortable and confident.
Our award-winning service speaks to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring every project is handled with expertise and care. You can trust in a team that’s recognized for delivering outstanding results.
We build strong technique and true water competence. These are the skills that truly keep children safe and help confidence grow naturally with every lesson.
We have over 1000+ reviews across all of our online platforms. Read some of what our past students have to say about Carlile Swim.
FAQs
Browse our FAQs for helpful info. If your question isn’t there, just contact us – we’re here to help 7 days a week.
Many babies start from around four months of age, once they have more neck control and a more settled routine. If your baby has specific health needs, speak with your doctor or child health nurse before starting lessons.
Yes. Baby and infant classes are built around a parent or carer in the water with each child. Your presence helps your baby feel safe, and teachers can guide your handling and support in each activity.
Crying is a normal way for babies to communicate. Teachers work with you to adjust holds, positions and activities. You can take extra cuddles, move more gently or pause for a short break at the pool edge. Progress still happens through many small, positive experiences over time.
Short submersions can be safe with strong preparation, clear cues and very close supervision. Carlile teachers introduce submersion gradually and only for babies who show comfort and readiness. The focus stays on calm, controlled attempts, never force.
Your baby needs a swim nappy and well-fitting swimmers. Some centres have a specific nappy policy, which staff can explain at the time of enrolment. A warm hat and layered clothing help after class, especially on cooler days.
Booking is simple: if you know your child’s level, click “BOOK YOUR LESSON” to choose a time and secure their place. If you’re not sure which level is correct, click “FIND YOUR CHILD’S LEVEL” to be taken to an easy online tool we’ve created, which will help you find the right level for your child.
Welcome To Carlile Swim
