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Hā​wera LibraryPlus, isite and AA temporarily closed

Hāwera LibraryPlus, isite and AA services are temporarily closed as they move into their new home. These services will be open again from 1pm on Monday 25 November at the new building, Te Ramanui o Ruapūtahanga, on the corners of High and Regent streets, Hāwera.

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Aquatots

The Aquatots programme is an introduction to the water for preschool children (under 4s). We recommend starting at 6-months because the sooner you get your child used to the water the better. Our 30-minute preschool lessons are all about water familiarisation and gaining confidence in the water. We teach using games and singing while introducing basic swimming and water safety. All activities have a specific purpose in aiding your child’s development both in and out of the water. Children are moved through the classes dependant on their age.

Enrolments are taken the last week of every term for the upcoming term. Full payment is required on enrolment. For any enquiries, please phone (06) 278 0021 or email us.

Classes

Tadpoles

Introduces water familiarisation and aims to improve the child’s comfort in the aquatic environment. Basic water safety skills are also introduced at this young age. This is the perfect age for initial submersions; progressions and confidence are taught to both children and parents! Natural reflexes are encouraged through aided kicking. This is the key stage where cues are learnt and used throughout the development stages.

Starfish

Continues to develop familiarisation and water safety. Floatation skills are introduced with assistance. Submersion continues to be taught as a learnt skill. Confidence grows and a want for independence increases. As the natural reflexes diminish kicking is now re-learnt as a skill. Cues are now being recognised, and your child knows what they mean, therefore preparing themselves for the skill to follow.

Frogs

Progressing the previously learnt skills as well as introducing some independence in moving through the water and recognising basic kicking technique. The children are familiar in the water and begin to explore on their own. Underwater skills are enjoyed and explored with support.

Turtles

Parents and caregivers are needed for support but we begin to get your child ready for our school age programme. Independence is now important to the child, but safety means you still need to support them during some skills. In this level we continue to build on the floating skills as these are important elements of learning to swim. Kicking is further developed and basic stroke and underwater skills are more of a feature.

To enrol your child, or get more information, please phone (06) 278 0021 or email.

The cost of Aquatots lessons are $8.00 per lesson per child (including the cost of adult in the water). Lessons are run inline with school terms. We ask for payment (8/10 weeks depending on the length of the term) in full at the time of booking. Payments can be made at the Hawera Aquatic Centre between 8.30am and 6.30pm. You can also arrange a direct debit payment.

The sooner you get your child used to the water the better. Very early water experiences can happen in the home through bath/shower time and this is great preparation for these classes. We would recommend around 6 months as the starting age. If your child has any disability or illness, please advise staff during the enrolment process and also inform your child’s instructor personally. Once children are 4 years old, they will join our school age programme.

On the first day, arrive early and get your child changed into their swimwear, making sure they are ready on time. You will meet your child’s instructor and they will assess their current ability and self assurance. Please do not let your child enter the pool without being invited to do so by their instructor. The instructor will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Swim instructors are trained using the AUSTSWIM internationally accredited programme. All of our instructors undertake regular training and professional development. They are a friendly bunch and always happy to help and answer any questions.

It’s important for children to feel confident with their surroundings and trust their caregiver in order to feel relaxed/ Never force your child to take part in things they don’t want to, at this early stage some children like to watch others doing the activity first. Instructors will encourage you to distract your child in a different part of the pool and calm them down before rejoining the group. Children can sense fear, and therefore if you are reserved about getting wet, your child will be.

Encourage play and splashing in the bath and remember they learn from you, so if you enjoy it, they will too. Talk to your instructor, they may be able to identify what the problem is and then help you work through it together.

We do not offer refunds for lessons in the event of sickness. But in instances where your child is going to be away for a number of sequential lessons due to illness or injury (broken arm etc) then we may offer make up lessons if appropriate. Refunds are only offered to those moving from the district or for long term illness.

Parents and caregivers are required to accompany the child in the water until they reach our school age programme at 4 years old. This is to provide support and effective learning for your child through these important early stages.

AquaTots is based on age and early development stages. Your child will move through the groups according to their birth dates. To provide you high quality results, the Swim School reserves the right to change your child’s level if appropriate.

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