Water Babies Ireland

Water Babies Ireland: baby and toddler swimming in over 50 pools

Water Babies Ireland is a network of swimming schools for babies and toddlers, with a presence in over 50 pools across Ireland. The programme covers from birth and combines water safety, core aquatic skills and swimming strokes from the first lesson. The activity is delivered through four independent family businesses operating in a coordinated way in different parts of the country.

A programme structured by age

The class offering is organised according to the age and developmental level of each child:

• 0 to 1 year: baby swimming from the very first lesson, supporting key developmental milestones and promoting movement, confidence and safety.
• 1 to 2 years: toddler swimming through play, activities and imaginative challenges.
• 2 to 3 years: building strength and independence, working on core aquatic skills and swimming strokes.
• 3 to 4 years: refining techniques, building endurance and progressing towards independent swimming at each child's own pace.
• 4 years and over: child swimming focused on swimming strong and swimming safe, with greater independence and adventure.

The school also offers high-resolution underwater photoshoots to capture children's journeys in the water.

Methodology and teaching team

The programme is based on a science-based curriculum and a team of teachers who, according to the school's own presentation, exclusively earn the Level 3 Teaching Pre-School Swimming (Advanced) qualification. Classes are held in warm pools and in group format, with the aim of making the learning experience social for the baby and their accompanying adult. Teaching includes lifesaving skills from the first lesson, aimed at preventing accidental drowning.

The method is complemented by its own narrative universe, called Oceans of Imagination, which turns the pool into a play environment with themed equipment and islands adapted to each age group: Team Pearl (0-12 months), Team Saffi (1-2 years), Team Echo (2-3 years), Team Sculli (3-4 years) and Team Finn (4 years and over).

History and scale of the network

Water Babies began operating in 2002 and, according to its data, has taught more than half a million children to swim. The brand presents itself as the world's largest baby swim school, with more than 80,000 babies a year through a network of family businesses. In Ireland, the first franchise launched in 2009 with classes in Dublin; since then the network has spread across the country and currently teaches more than 5,000 children every week in 50 pools. Experience accumulated in Ireland is around 20 years.

The Irish operation is organised into four family businesses: Ireland East (Carol, Therese, Ciara and Michelle), Ireland West (Jamie and Lisa), Ireland South East (Elaine and George) and Ireland South West (Denise and Dave). Globally, the network has more than 52 franchise outlets and around 600 teachers.

Awards

The school has received various national consumer awards in Ireland, including Best Class Gold 2026 and Best Class Silver 2025 at the Ireland's Pregnancy & Baby Fair Awards, the Overall People's Choice Award for Ireland and the CSR Award Silver at the Ireland's Family Business Awards 2025, and the Pregnancy and Baby Business of the Year 2025 award from the Family Edit Awards Ireland. It also won Best Class Gold in 2024 and 2023.

Shop and resources for families

The school has a shop with products to support learning: baby and toddler swimwear, bath and pool toys, and swimming accessories. It also publishes a blog with tips, stories and practical resources for families.