| It’s important from an early age to communicate safety awareness to older babies/toddlers in the aquatic environment. Early communication of when it’s ‘okay’ to enter the water and when it’s not (waiting for adult and permission to enter). |
Entry & Exit for Parent and Young Babies –
(Small pool )
Entry: Teacher welcomes parents to walk down the wide steps carefully with baby. Be aware of new/ nervous parents, grandparents and pregnant mums, anyone that may need assistance.
Exit: Parent holds baby and walks up the wide steps carefully. Again be aware of adults that may need assistance.
(Big pool)
Entry: Using large mat, parent places baby on mat, with baby’s head away from pool, feet towards poolside, and enters next to baby and collects baby from mat. Teacher can wait with baby if parent wants to use steps.
Exit: Using large mat, parent places baby on mat, with baby’s head away from pool, feet towards poolside, and exits next to baby and collects baby from mat. Teacher can wait with baby if adults wants to use steps.
Older Babies and Toddlers
(Small pool)
Entry: Parent communicates to toddler to sit on the steps and wait as adult enters first, then tells toddler its ‘okay’ to enter. This is early safety awareness of when it’s okay to enter the water/ and not.
Exit: Parent holds hands with toddler and walks up the steps.
(Big pool)
Entry: Parent communicates to toddler to sit down together at the side of the pool and tells them to wait , parent enters next to toddler and turns towards them. Once parent is ready, parent communicates to toddler its okay to enter. Teacher can support toddlers waiting on the wall (if needed).
Exit: Toddler climbs out first and waits sat back from the side, for adult to exit too.