FAQ’s

Bookings can be made by sending an email here.

Fees are due two weeks in advance of the spring and summer term/courses commencing and , four weeks in advance of the autumn term/course commencing. If swimmers start midway through the term, term prices will be prorated. There is a one off £25 starter admin fee per family. Terms are paid in advance in full. We do not accept credit cards. We do though offer a two instalment option with the terms fees split into two instalments, the first payment is made 3 weeks before the start of the term and the second in week 5 of the term. To request this option please email us.

Due to the amount of time the team spend in the water, we are normally uncontactable by phone. The fastest way to get hold of us is via email or you can message us via social media.

We run three terms per year, following the local school timetables. The terms vary between 12-16 weeks. Our term time classes do run through half term holidays but not during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays. Nor do we run classes on public holidays. During holiday periods we usually run intensive 2-5 day holiday courses. Our full timetable for the year can be found here.

You certainly can, it just depends on how close they are in swimming abilities. For example, we wouldn’t advise a 2:1 with a stage 1 and a stage 5 swimmer – but if they are in stage 1 and stage 2 that should be fine.

Our staff are all incredibly experienced with working with nervous swimmers. The pool can be a daunting place and very understandably it can be a scary experience! Because the class sizes are so small teachers can take the time to put swimmers at ease, build a relationship of trust and ensure your swimmer feels safe and secure.We also have a number of tricks up our sleeves including plenty of fun toys which act as a great distraction!

Unfortunately, we do not offer replacement lessons for swimmers who are able to attend due to a short illness or prior engagement. Teachers plan their lessons based on the swimmers in their lessons, and if they were to have different swimmers dropping into their lessons, they would have to be constantly adapting their lessons around new swimmers they may have only just met. You are welcome to email in and let us know so we can inform the teacher in advance that they shall not be attending but it isn`t essential. If you have missed sessions this term and would like to catch up do feel free to book on to one of our holiday courses.

Yes, we run pre-school lessons alongside our adult carer and child classes in order that familes with two young children can get them swimming at the same time.

Take a look here to find a description of each of the stages, alternatively, you are welcome to drop us an email with a description of your swimmer’s ability and we are happy to advise.

We recommend goggles for swimmers who are in pre-school or above lessons. Goggles help to give swimmers confidence with submerging and are a great resource.

We recommend swimmers aged 3 yrs + wear a swim hat, especially for those who have long hair. It keeps hair out of eyes/goggles, keeps it from getting super knotted and makes swimmers feel part of a team!

You are welcome to bring your little ones poolside in a car seat but we ask that you leave buggies outside or folded down in the reception area. It’s only a few metres walk from the car park to the door – so you may not need to get your buggy out at all!

There are ample free parking spaces at the front of all our venues. Please respect that these venues are private property and park sensibly.

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the start of your session, beach-ready with swimming costume on under your clothes. Our Front of House will meet you and welcome you into the pool building. You are welcome to have a brief shower and use the changing rooms after your session. Our classes are staggered so that one class will finish every 10 minutes.

Three Oaks uses ultra violet light technology to keep the pool water clean.

Ultraviolet (UV) Pool Systems harness the power of ultraviolet light to lower chemical levels, eliminate chlorine by-products, and to make pools safer, healthy, and easier to manage.

UV lights are installed inline just after the filtration system. The UV light alters and disrupts the DNA or RNA of targeted organisms such as algae, bacteria, viruses, cysts and protozoa. The highly concentrated electromagnetic energy also destroys organic matter, eliminating the formation of dangerous chlorine by-products called chloramines that commonly lead to red stinging eyes, skin irritations, asthma and allergies.

Very low levels of chlorine are still required in the pool to take care of bacteria in the water that’s slower to reach the filter, but it’s a lot less than if chemicals were the primary cleaning method. Chlorine levels are often maintained at levels as low as the level found in drinking water. However, there are occasions, for example if a child is sick in the pool, when it becomes necessary to add additional chlorine and the chlorine levels will for a short period be higher than usual.

Babies need a disposable swimming nappy covered with an outer neoprene swimming nappy. We operate a Double Nappy System This consists of an aqua nappy (such as Huggies) that can be bought in most supermarkets/chemists. Over the top of the aqua nappy goes a Happy Nappy. The Happy Nappy can be bought on-line at Amazon or Splash About. You can also purchase in stores such as Jo Jo Maman Bebe and Boots. If your child is under 3 years, please do not bring them to lessons without the double nappy system. If you do, they will unfortunately not be permitted to swim. It is also unlikely that we will be able to offer a refund for the missed lesson. This rule applies to all children under the age of 3 years even if they are potty trained. Please understand this rule is strictly enforced for the health and safety of everyone in attendance. Should there be an accident in the pool, it can result in closures for between an hour to 14 days. Thus, you can imagine the impact on the operation should we have to close a pool for that amount of time.

We aim to maintain the water at a minimum temperature of 29 degrees. No additional layers of clothing should be required to keep warm. However, if your child is a little slight and you feel they may get chilly, you are welcome to put them in a rash vest or wetsuit. Don’t forget that all our adult career and baby/toddler sessions are run with the child AND a parent/guardian in the water! So you will need to bring a swimming costume for yourself too. Also, feel free to follow the same advice and bring a rash vest if you are worried that you might get a chill. However, we would be surprised if you were cold in our lovely warm pool.

Not necessarily. Most of the pool is at the right depth for an adult to stand comfortably in waist or shoulder deep water depending on individual height. You will need to hold your child during class and walk carefully around the pool during activity. All of our teachers are able to help and guide any non-swimmers throughout the class and will ensure a relaxing and comfortable experience for anyone who may be apprehensive.

At Three Oaks there are two showers, group changing rooms and individual changing cubicles available.

At Twyford there are several showers, large group changing rooms and individual changing cubicles available.

We have five changing stations and seven changing mats. There is also a nappy bin in the changing area for nappy disposal.

We are breastfeeding friendly . Our poolside seating area is a comfortable and relaxing place for you to feed your baby either before or after class without any interruption.

You are welcome to email in and let us know however it is not essential. Lessons will continue as normal regardless of you letting us know.