NHM Readers Recommend: Best Water Parks and Leisure Centres

I recently had a question from a Reader that I asked the NHM Community to help with: “What are the best water parks / leisure centres in the area for pre-schoolers?”

Many thanks for your responses, listed below in no particular order

Please bear in mind that listings may change in subsequent years, but hopefully they will still be a good base point for your own research.

NHM Readers Recommend: Best Water Parks and Leisure Centres

Laura said “I’ve just been to Coral Reef today as we had an inset day. It’s £6.65 for adults, free for under 5s. The big slides aren’t open on weekdays but there’s lots of fun and slides for smaller kids”

Wendy saidAquadrome has just refurbished their toddler bit. Tadley has the best temperature locally. QMC on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon is the best value for money, Just a simple pool but they chuck loads of floats and woggles in. In the summer, Chineham park splash pad in Popley.”

Victoria said “Been to Guildford Spectrum today- great for all ages and loads to do there”

    • Amanda replied “Agreed :)”

Lene said “We went to Windsor leisure park a few weeks ago. We thought it was great. Not massive but had slides, kids bit, wave pool, couple of bigger slides and plenty of changing facilities.”

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NHM Readers Recommend: Friendly Swimming Teachers for Pre-Schoolers

I recently had a question from an NHM Reader that I asked the NHM Community to help with: “Can anyone recommend a decent and friendly swimming teacher for pre-schooler age. Looking for something a bit more than rhymes and toys, but not constant telling off! Many thanks!”

Thank you for all of your replies, listed below in no particular order.

Please bear in mind that listings may change in subsequent years, but hopefully they will still be a good base point for your own research.

NHM Readers Recommend: Friendly Swimming Teachers for Pre-Schoolers

The Little Swim Club

Debbie said “Try the little swim club in hook”

Lindsay said “The little swim club are excellent.”

Nadira said “Little swim club”

Sally said “Daniel Hawthorne at Little swim school in Hook. Took A from non swimmer to competent in all strokes in under 1 year. L also now 4 can do some front crawl and back crawl”

Basingstoke Sports Centre

Natasha said “Sports centre in town are fab. Excellent price too!”

Joanna said “I second the sports centre”

Lisa said “Agreed Sports Centre”

Kelly T said “My 3 year old has had two months of lessons at the sports centre during the day which have been really good and only two children in his class. Although he is leaving at christmas as he has joined his big brother at bluefins.”

Bluefins

Kelly T said “(Bluefins) is equally as good. Bluefins only normally take preschoolers at their weekend classes”

Sarah G said “ Bluefins at cranbourne school”

Swim Fish

Helena said “Tanya at swimfish is brilliant. She gave my two a really good start to swimming.”

Wendy W said “Tanya at Swimfish is brilliant – she adapts the lessons and works with the children to make sure they get the best out of the session. Sessions are a great size and she has a love of children and swimming which comes through in her lessons and the confidence the children develop. I definitely recommend her”

Sarah P said “Tanya and Kirsty at Swimfish are amazing. She teaches in a small pool at the Basingstoke Country Hotel, Hook. She has helped my little one hugely with confidence and ability in the water.”

Turtle Tots Surrey & North Hampshire

Emma said “Turtle Tots are fab at Hook swimming pool, there’s definitely no telling off there!

Kate M said “Thank You Emma. Hi louise at Turtle Tots we offer child led lessons which means your child learns at their own pace and comfort level. We have lessons around Surrey and North Hampshire and would be delighted to offer you a trial class to see first hand what we are about. Please email us on swim@turtletots.com for further information or to book a trial class.”

Cali Kids

Wendy D said “Alicia Reilly is returning from maternity leave in Jan and has space for pre-schoolers”

Christine said “Alicia Reilly is brilliant. Lots of fun but the kids make amazing progress”

Kate said  “Cali Kids. Alicia has taught my two boys and they’ve done so well with her. Thoroughly recommend”

Michelle said “ Cali Kids with Alicia Reilly”

Alicia said “Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I offer semi private swim lessons on a Sunday morning and during the day on a Monday for preschoolers and babies at Tadley Swimming Pool. I worked for years with Water Babies and owned my own swim school Cali Kids for years too. We have lots of fun in my lessons and learn through play but have a good success rate. Most my kids start swimming independently at 3 or 4 years old. Feel free to DM me if you’d like more info.”

Aqua Kids

Susan said “Mel Bristow is amazing my two girls go to her”

Mel said “Aqua Kids teach a Fri pm and Sat am just outside Hook. Please pm me for info!”

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NHM Readers Recommend: Swimming crash courses 2018

In July 2018, a NHM Reader asked: “I was wondering if you know of any local crash swimming courses for children?” 

Thank you for all your responses, please be aware that listings may change over time but this should still be helpful as a basis for your own research. All opinions are the readers own and are not that of NHM.

NHM Readers Recommend: Swimming crash courses 2018

Joanna said, “The sports centre do crash courses.”

Sarah said, “Bluefins at Cranbourne.”

Becky said, “My daughter has just done a crash course at the Sports Centre and she really enjoyed it.”

Karen said, “I recommend the Sports centre too.”

Andrea said, “We go to Bluefins at Cranbourne.”

Amanda said, “Aquadrome and tadley pool both do intensive courses, so five days a week for one week at a time. They learn faster as there’s no gap to forget things. Highly recommend.”

Ruth said, “We did it for our eldest, age 7? over a half term and he hasn’t looked back – Joanne is brilliant.” (Sports centre)

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Baby Paddlers

Baby Paddlers is a small swim school which has grown across Hampshire and is really excited to be opening a new pool in Odiham. Our teachers are trained and recruited to always be looking at the best way for you and your child to have fun in the water. Our values are honest, approachable, positive, progressive, exciting and encouraging….our own version of how to create lots of HAPPEE little swimmers! Cheesy as this sounds this is at the forefront of everything we do, we offer a flexibility with our unique catch up system to ensure customers do not miss a week swimming!

Our Milestones programme with our colourful characters was launched in 2017 and has been a fantastic way to track how all swimmers are progressing and gives teachers a brilliant guide to follow all our children through their development on a group and individual basis. We love seeing our preschoolers graduate at the end of their swimming years with us.

Our newborn classes are held in warm pools and focus on bonding with your baby, gentle activities to introduce them to the water at the right pace for each child. Teachers use the milestones programme and talk to parents to ensure this goes at the right speed and when they are ready to move on we can introduce them to the beauty of being underwater and to slowly learning how to hold on, play with toys and use their senses to enjoy the water.

Once they reach the right stage we move on to swooshing them around the water and lots and lots of jumping which the older babies and toddlers absolutely love and will giggle creating the fun environment which will set them up for a love of the water!

Our main aim is to develop water confidence using toys, songs and lots of fun. Word association and recognition is a big part of what we do, encouraging children to kick, paddle, swim, jump, hold on – all so important in the early years.

Our baby and toddler swimming classes have a maximum of 8 and our preschool classes a maximum of 6, this ensures that your child is in a fun group environment but has the opportunity for one on one time with the teacher.

The Milestones programme is designed to help you understand the stages and learning milestones that your child will progress through as part of the Baby Paddlers journey. Every stage has been created to ensure focus on a number of key development areas, from physical and sensory development to swimming milestones that they will reach during these early years. No two children are the same so the programme is designed to offer flexibility in teaching so our teachers can tailor their classes to meet the needs of the children. There are four stages and each stage has 3 levels.

At Baby Paddlers we absolutely love what we do, all teachers revel in teaching parents to have fun in the water with their children, come and find out more about us and get in touch to book a course or to come along to a summer special to see what we are all about.

Please visit us at https://www.babypaddlers.co.uk for more details.

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Things to do in Basingstoke with a 3 year old

Things to do in Basingstoke with a 3 year old

Visit a library

Below is a list of Libraries in the North Hampshire area:

  • Aldershot Library
  • Alresford Library
  • Alton Library
  • Andover Library
  • Basingstoke Discovery Centre – Open on Sundays!!!
  • Chineham Library
  • Farnborough Library
  • Fleet Library
  • Kingsclere Library
  • North Baddesley Community Library
  • Odiham Bridewell
  • South Ham Library
  • Tadley Library
  • Whitchurch Library

Or Try out one of the following activities featured on NHM

What would you add to this list?

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Swimming Schools and Lessons in North Hampshire

Thank you very much to Shona for putting this post together!!

Swimming Schools and Lessons in North Hampshire

Alton Sports Centre

Swimming lessons start from 3 years old (Stage 1). All lessons are taught by qualified instructors who help children to develop confidence in and around the water.

Alton Sports Centre

Judy Sporle School of Swimming

Based in Winchester, Judy Sporle provides parent and child classes (3 months – 3 years), pre-school classes (3 years – 5 years) and also after school classes (3 years plus). In the parent and child classes they provide introduction to the water, safety, songs and games and water confidence. Pre-school classes have a maximum of 4 children to a class with the teacher in the water. After school classes have a maximum of 8 children in a class and promote water confidence and teach techniques.

Judy Sporle

Turtle Tots

Operating through Reading, Wokingham and Caversham, Turtle Tots run a baby programme and a toddler programme. The baby programme can start any time from newborn to 14 months old. You learn to swim with your baby above and below the water and help teach your baby confidence in the water. The toddler programme has been designed with a set of activities including swimming technique, safety and floating. The toddler course is suitable from 18 months.

Turtle Tots

Angela’s Swim School

Angela’s Swim School has small classes to allow for individual attention and feedback from each session. They offer swimming lessons for all the family with a wide range of lessons for children, adults and babies from 4 months. There are sessions available nationwide, locally they are held at Aldershot, Petersfield, Bordon and Hook.

Angela’s Swim School

Everyone Active

Having more than 70,000 children learning to swim through their swimming Programmes, Everyone Active helps children learn the skill of swimming. They are available 50 weeks a year (2 week break over Christmas and New Year), suitable for children aged over 5 months, all teachers are DBS checked and don’t run “terms” so children can join at any point throughout the year. Locally this is run from Hart Leisure Centre in Fleet, although it is a nationwide brand.

Everyone Active

Water Babies

Water Babies is aware that swimming is one of the few things that you can do with your baby from birth. Water Babies encourages babies to swim underwater whilst having fun. They run locally across Berkshire and North Hampshire and teach from 21 swimming pools.

Water Babies

Swim Expert

Swim Expert runs from the Apollo hotel in Basingstoke. They can provide private 1-2-1 swimming lessons to improve children’s swimming more effectively as well as running small group lessons with a maximum of 3 children per class. They will do lessons for anyone over the age of 2 years.

Swim Expert

Rushmoor Royals

Rushmoor Royals provides swimming lessons from 2 ½ years old in Farnborough, Aldershot and Yateley. Lessons are held over 3 terms and normally run for 12-14 weeks. There are badges for each stage and once achieved, children can move to the next stage.

Rushmoor Royals

Kim Chapman Swimming School

This swimming school is run from Queen Mary’s College in Basingstoke. They provide adult and baby/toddler lessons from 4 months. They also do pre-school lessons for children aged over 3 years. With qualified teachers, the classes are fun using a mixture of toys, nursery rhymes and games to help children learn to swim and be confident in the water.

Kim Chapman Swimming School

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Swimming lessons for babies in North Hampshire

Thank you very much to Shona for putting this post together!

Swimming lessons for babies in North Hampshire

Water Babies

Swimming lessons with Water Babies teaches vital life skills as well as enhancing how babies and toddlers learn other things. You can take your baby from birth too.
Swimming lessons take place locally at:

  • Spindles in Hook
  • Hampshire Court in Basingstoke
  • The Village in Farnborough
  • Heather House in Tadley
  • Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital
  • Henry Tyndale School in Farnborough

Water Babies

Tadley Pool

The swimming pool in Tadley starts with Ducklings which is the baby and preschool sessions for developing confidence in the water during the early years. Children can then move onto the next stages. Ducklings starts from 6 months to 18 months.  

Tadley Pool – Ducklings

Basingstoke Aquadrome

The swimming pool in Basingstoke Leisure Park starts with Ducklings which is the baby and preschool sessions for developing confidence in the water during the early years. Children can then move onto the next stages. Ducklings starts from 6 months to 18 months.  

Basingstoke Aquadrome – Ducklings

Puddleducks

There are swimming lessons with Puddleducks from 0-4 years and 4-10years. Swimming offers a unique sensory experience and develops confidence in water that lasts a lifetime. The baby/pre-school sessions include rhyme, music and movement. Sessions are offered locally in Ewshot, Yateley and Bagshot.

Puddleducks

Basingstoke Sports Centre

The perfect way to introduce your little one to the water and to build up their confidence. They are 20 minute sessions that run 39 weeks of the year.

Parent and Baby at Basingstoke Sports Centre

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Review 2016: Chineham Splash Park

Thank you very much to one of the NHM Writers, Karen, for this fab review!

Thank you also to Michelle for the pictures!

About

Chineham Splash Park is a new, free water activity open between 10:00 and 19:00 until september. It is situated in Chineham park and also boasts a large field with a half pipe and outdoor trail gym.

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When we attended we arrived before 10:00 and the park was already filling up with excited children and parents with picnic blankets.

Once 10:00 finally came around someone pressed the activation button and it was only moments before all the shrieking children were soaking wet and running around in the water jets.

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Facilities and Food

There has also been a portacabin toilet that was added to the splash park in the past week. However, the park unfortunately lacks any other facilities but the Popley Spotlight centre are happy for people to pop in and use the toilets and they also sell refreshments.  Bare in mind that is a 5 minute walk away so if there’s only one adult in your group you’ll probably end up packing away your things.

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You might want flipflops or sandals for wet children to wear as well as extra towels or clothes to put on over wet swimming costumes for the trips to the toilets. Don’t forget your swimming costumes, towels and swim nappies as well as sun protection.

The area has several picnic benches but they are unshaded in the morning so bring a picnic rug or blanket and head under the trees.

Parking

There are around 20 parking spaces at the park and others in residential streets a bit further away

Tips

Our top tips are to consider bringing the buggy (or a shopping trolley) to load everything in for trips to the toilet, don’t forget your own potty to avoid a few and arrive early before it fills up.

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Older excited children might be a bit daunting for the little ones so bring a towel for yourself so you can encourage them in (and cool off) and a carrier if you have a baby.

If the water isn’t working, don’t leave, the council advise that if its been on constantly for a long time sometimes the reservoir will need 30 minutes to refill.

Rating

We enjoyed the splash park so it scores a 5/5 from the Johnson family.

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Warm Swimming pools suitable for babies and young children in North Hampshire

I recently asked the Friends of  my “Louise nhm Smith” profile on Facebook if anyone could recommend any good and warm swimming pools for a 3 month old and a 5 year old.

Thank you very much to everyone who responded and thank you to Shona for putting this post together! 

These were the responses I received. They are in no particular order. 

IMG_0175

NHM Readers Recommend Swimming Pools

Alton Leisure Centre

Jason said: Alton Leisure Centre  

Alton Leisure Centre

Tadley Pool

Wendy said: Tadley is the warmest local pool but not sure they do a baby’s session on a Friday. The Sport Centre has a shallow pool which would make it easier.

Heather said: I’d go to Tadley, it’s warm and there’s no chlorine.

Caroline said: Tadley pool is nice and quiet. They have great sessions for very little ones where they raise the floor too.

Peta recommended Tadley Pool.

Karen said: You are better off in water that’d be chest height if you just going with baby as you can walk with them at a comfortable height without bending over. The raised floor is good for older children. I would recommend Tadley Pool for that reason.

Tadley Pool

Sports Centre

Lisa said: Sports Centre in Town

Kelly said: I have a 5 month old and a 5 year old. I found the Sport Centre in Town was great for my first attempt. Very warm, not too deep and small enough to focus on both kiddies. Left my pushchair in the changing rooms although they do have buggy lockers and took carseat onto poolside.

Caroline said: Town is nice and warm. 

Ellie said: Good and small pool would be great with a 5 year old as well.

Sports Centre

Farnham Leisure Centre

Natasha said: Farnham Leisure Centre from 11am in the teaching pool on a Friday

Farnham Leisure Centre

Coral Reef – Bracknell

Peta recommended Coral Reef.

Karen recommended Coral Reef.

Coral Reef

Coral Reef is now closed for refurbishment until 2017

Aquadrome

Karen recommended the Aquadrome.

Aquadrome

You can read my review on the Aquadrome on NorthHantsMum.

Related Posts

Swimming Pools in North Hampshire suitable for Babies and young Children

Water Babies

Review 2015: Frensham Common

Paddling Pools/Splash Pools in North Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey

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NHM Readers Favourite Beaches

I recently asked the Friends of  my “Louise nhm Smith” profile on Facebook what their recommendations for beaches within an hours drive of North Hampshire were and why they would recommend them. (Thank you very much to everyone who responded!)

This is what they came back with, in no particular order!

NHM Readers Favourite Beaches

1. West Wittering

Liane said:  West Wittering! Super flat with fab sand dunes

Louise: West Wittering. My kids have loved this beach from such a young age. Does not cost a fortune as you don’t have all the funfairs and shops there. Beautiful day out that encourages children to use there imagination

West Wittering

2. Lepe Country Park

Wendy:  Votes for both Lepe (ideal for all year round, we go every Christmas and Easter) and Southbourne.

Kate:  Lepe near Hythe this side of the New Forest. Country Park area above it, cafe and sand! You do pay to park.

Lepe Country Park 

3. Alum Chine, Bournemouth

Kelly:  Alum Chine paddling pool, park, toilets, cafe and landtrain into Bournemouth

Louise @ NHM: Alum Chine is one of our favourite beaches.

Alum Chine

4. Mudeford

Alison:  Mudeford. Playground, Sandy beach and grass area , can also take a little boat over the water to a lovely sheltered beach perfect for little ones to paddle

Gloria:  Mudeford near so less time in the car more time on the nice quiet sandy beach

Mudeford

5. Frensham Pond

Su:  Frensham Pond, sandy lakeside beach, shallow perfect for paddling, no waves, cafe, toilets and parking and closer than the coast

Review: Frensham Common

6. Cotswold Water Park beach

Claire: Cotswold water park beach.

Cotswold Water Park beach

7. Royal Victoria Country Park

Claire: The Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley, no sandy beach as such – play area, small train and nice for little ones! Place to eat or picnic.
Wendy: Also Victoria royal country park has a little bit of beach for kids who think they want the beach but would actually prefer the park or a train.

8. Southbourne nr Bournemouth

Carley:  Southbourne nr Bournemouth…fab sand, looks, a few ice cream shops and cable car for the journey back up the cliff… Love it there!

Southbourne nr Bournemouth

9. Sandbanks in Poole

Jason: Sandbanks; all good, but all a little more than an hour

Emma;  Sandbanks in Poole although a bit more than an hour. Lovely long sandy beach, play area, cafe, clean toilets and also up one end for families with dogs – dogs allowed all year round

Sandbanks 

10. Weymouth

Danielle:  Weymouth beach is great for kids bit more than a hours drive though.

Jason:  Weymouth, Swanage (added benefit of being able to ‘Park and Ride’ on a Steam Train) but all a little more than an hour

Weymouth Beach

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