Summary backgrounder

Water Babies at a glance

Water Babies has an outstanding reputation as the world’s biggest, most professional baby- and toddler-swimming programme, welcoming over 33,500 children globally (and their parents/carers) into warm water at around 560 local pools every week.

Our swimming lessons progressively develop children’s water skills in line with their physical, mental and emotional development phases. Learning to get to the side, hold on or swim from a young age has saved several Water Babies’ lives after they have fallen into water elsewhere.

Water Babies also offers world-class, once-in-a-lifetime high-resolution photography of babies and toddlers swimming underwater, and an online shop featuring delightful, practical swimming accessories.

Key facts

Co-founder	Paul Thompson
Date founded	2002
Launched in Ireland	2009
Countries where present	UK, Australia, Ireland
Children currently learning	33,500 (globally)
	2,500 in Ireland
Teachers	350 (globally)
	20 (Ireland)
Local pools used	560 (globally)
	40 (Ireland)
Pool temperature	30 degrees C (32 degrees if under 12 weeks)
Class sizes	6-10 children
Age babies start swimming	From birth
Babies hold on at the edge by	5 months (usually)
Toddlers swim short distances by	2 years (usually)
Underwater photos taken each year	Over 100,000 globally
Each underwater studio kit worth	£15,000+
UK awards	WO4LO Best Swimming Class (2008)
	BFA Franchisee of the Year 2009 - silver (Tamsin Brewis)
	Tommy’s Best Children’s Activity Provider (2009)
	WO4LO Best National Baby & Toddler Development Activity (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
	Tommy's Community Diamond Award (2012)
	EWIF Woman Franchisee of the Year 2012 (Kate Evans)
	Best Mid-Sized Franchisor 2012 Smith Henderson BFA Franchisor of the Year 2013 - Silver
Irish Awards	TV3's Every Job Counts awards 2011 - finalist
	Ulster Bank Business Achievers awards 2011 - finalist
	Families First - Best Activity Provider for Babies & Tots (2012, 2013)
	WO4LO - Best National Baby & Pre-Schooler Development Activity 2013 Maternity & Infant Awards - Best Mum & Baby Activity 2013
Amount raised for charity with our Splashathon since 2009:	over €100,000 for Children's University Hospital, Temple Street; Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin; and the National Children's Hospital
Unique points	Only baby swim programme with a nationally recognised diploma for teachers
	Only baby swimming school with its own pool consultancy service

What people say

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Ciara started Water Babies when she was 5 months. As soon as she sees the pool she gets excited and she laughs all the way through the class. I’ve made great friends through Water Babies and our children are now great pals as well!

Gillian & Ciara Stepaside
Luca has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, and we joined Water Babies as we thought the classes would help with his development. We're delighted with his progress so far, and his physio and occupational therapist have also noticed the benefits! It’s a lovely activity to do together, just the two of us!

Sarah & Luca Wicklow
As Lexi’s nana I've been bringing her since she was a small baby we both love it! Lexi’s mum is terrified of the water and I was determined that Lexi wouldn’t be. Going to the class and seeing Lexi doing so well has also inspired me to start back swimming.

Susan & Lexi Finglas
Jack always smiles when he sees his teacher as he knows he going to have a good time! The main reason I chose Water Babies is having the peace of mind that if Jack finds himself in trouble in the water he'll know what to do due to the lessons he's learning in the pool, which is priceless.

Martin & Jack Claregalway, Co. Galway
Teagan started Water Babies at 10 weeks and she loved it from day 1! At home she swims on the carpet kicking her legs and doing her ‘tiger’ (swimming) arms!

Sinead & Teagan Raheny
We've been swimming with Water Babies since Oran was 6 months old. He loves the classes and has developed into a happy and confident toddler in the water. It's a fun way to help your child develop the early stages of swimming, which is a life skill.

Norma & Oran Comber, N.I.
Our wee girl was born prematurely and had her first Water Babies lesson at six weeks, and the team have been fantastic all the way. Our teacher gave us lots of advice to get us through the wobbles, and what do you know, we are out the other side and as happy as can be! Swimming each week with our daughter has been a great way to bond and a brilliant learning tool.

Beth, Carlotte & Lola Galway City
Water Babies is the best activity you can do with your newborn. I love the water and wanted to get my baby used to it as early as possible. He loves swimming thanks to Water Babies - we'd highly recommend it!

Rachael & Conor Galway City
Even though John was a month premature, he started Water Babies at 6 weeks. He's 3 years old now, is swimming on the surface of the water by himself and enjoys every minute of the class!

Linda & John Blackrock
The class not only teaches Edan lifesaving skills in the water but I also found it a great way to exercise and have one to one fun with my wee one. Nearly 2 years on and Edan has no fear of the water and loves swimming and splashing about with his friends at his Water Babies class.

Anthea & Edan Ballynahinch, N.I.
Water Babies is now part of our life and very much part of our routine - Saturday mornings are all about swimming. You soon get to know the other parents on the course and get to watch the other children growing alongside your own. I would definitely recommend anyone to try Water Babies with their little one!

Brid, Padraig & TJ Athenry, Co. Galway
As a nervous Mammy who only learnt to swim during pregnancy I was in awe at the idea our babies could swim underwater and naturally hold their breath. So I took Lea along at 13 weeks and we've never looked back. The progression is fantastic, I'm amazed how quickly they master skills like floating and kicking.

Helen & Leah Meath