The STA Starfish Programme is an innovative series of six progressive awards designed to introduce babies, from just a few months old, to the pool environment alongside their accompanying adult. The programme focuses on early water confidence, safety, bonding, and sensory awareness, creating a gentle and positive first experience in the water.

This programme provides the perfect introduction to swimming. Parents and babies are encouraged to slow down, ground themselves, and enjoy being present in the water together. Lessons promote calm, relaxed movement, allowing babies to experience the water naturally through floating, splashing, and sensory play, rather than structured swimming actions.

All sessions take place in shallow water, with the parent or guardian in the pool holding and fully supporting the baby at all times. Buoyancy aids may be used but are not essential, as continuous adult support is provided. Correct support techniques are taught, including secure holds with full head and body support, maintaining close contact, eye contact, and frequent reassurance.

The STA Starfish Programme is an innovative series of six progressive awards designed to introduce babies, from just a few months old, to the pool environment alongside their accompanying adult. The programme focuses on early water confidence, safety, bonding, and sensory awareness, creating a gentle and positive first experience in the water.

This programme provides the perfect introduction to swimming. Parents and babies are encouraged to slow down, ground themselves, and enjoy being present in the water together. Lessons promote calm, relaxed movement, allowing babies to experience the water naturally through floating, splashing, and sensory play, rather than structured swimming actions.

All sessions take place in shallow water, with the parent or guardian in the pool holding and fully supporting the baby at all times. Buoyancy aids may be used but are not essential, as continuous adult support is provided. Correct support techniques are taught, including secure holds with full head and body support, maintaining close contact, eye contact, and frequent reassurance.

The STA Starfish Programme is an innovative series of six progressive awards designed to introduce babies, from just a few months old, to the pool environment alongside their accompanying adult. The programme focuses on early water confidence, safety, bonding, and sensory awareness, creating a gentle and positive first experience in the water.

This programme provides the perfect introduction to swimming. Parents and babies are encouraged to slow down, ground themselves, and enjoy being present in the water together. Lessons promote calm, relaxed movement, allowing babies to experience the water naturally through floating, splashing, and sensory play, rather than structured swimming actions.

All sessions take place in shallow water, with the parent or guardian in the pool holding and fully supporting the baby at all times. Buoyancy aids may be used but are not essential, as continuous adult support is provided. Correct support techniques are taught, including secure holds with full head and body support, maintaining close contact, eye contact, and frequent reassurance.

The STA Starfish Programme is an innovative series of six progressive awards designed to introduce babies, from just a few months old, to the pool environment alongside their accompanying adult. The programme focuses on early water confidence, safety, bonding, and sensory awareness, creating a gentle and positive first experience in the water.

This programme provides the perfect introduction to swimming. Parents and babies are encouraged to slow down, ground themselves, and enjoy being present in the water together. Lessons promote calm, relaxed movement, allowing babies to experience the water naturally through floating, splashing, and sensory play, rather than structured swimming actions.

All sessions take place in shallow water, with the parent or guardian in the pool holding and fully supporting the baby at all times. Buoyancy aids may be used but are not essential, as continuous adult support is provided. Correct support techniques are taught, including secure holds with full head and body support, maintaining close contact, eye contact, and frequent reassurance.

The STA Starfish Programme is an innovative series of six progressive awards designed to introduce babies, from just a few months old, to the pool environment alongside their accompanying adult. The programme focuses on early water confidence, safety, bonding, and sensory awareness, creating a gentle and positive first experience in the water.

This programme provides the perfect introduction to swimming. Parents and babies are encouraged to slow down, ground themselves, and enjoy being present in the water together. Lessons promote calm, relaxed movement, allowing babies to experience the water naturally through floating, splashing, and sensory play, rather than structured swimming actions.

All sessions take place in shallow water, with the parent or guardian in the pool holding and fully supporting the baby at all times. Buoyancy aids may be used but are not essential, as continuous adult support is provided. Correct support techniques are taught, including secure holds with full head and body support, maintaining close contact, eye contact, and frequent reassurance.

The STA Starfish Programme is an innovative series of six progressive awards designed to introduce babies, from just a few months old, to the pool environment alongside their accompanying adult. The programme focuses on early water confidence, safety, bonding, and sensory awareness, creating a gentle and positive first experience in the water.

This programme provides the perfect introduction to swimming. Parents and babies are encouraged to slow down, ground themselves, and enjoy being present in the water together. Lessons promote calm, relaxed movement, allowing babies to experience the water naturally through floating, splashing, and sensory play, rather than structured swimming actions.

All sessions take place in shallow water, with the parent or guardian in the pool holding and fully supporting the baby at all times. Buoyancy aids may be used but are not essential, as continuous adult support is provided. Correct support techniques are taught, including secure holds with full head and body support, maintaining close contact, eye contact, and frequent reassurance.

The STA Starfish Programme is an innovative series of six progressive awards designed to introduce babies, from just a few months old, to the pool environment alongside their accompanying adult. The programme focuses on early water confidence, safety, bonding, and sensory awareness, creating a gentle and positive first experience in the water.

This programme provides the perfect introduction to swimming. Parents and babies are encouraged to slow down, ground themselves, and enjoy being present in the water together. Lessons promote calm, relaxed movement, allowing babies to experience the water naturally through floating, splashing, and sensory play, rather than structured swimming actions.

All sessions take place in shallow water, with the parent or guardian in the pool holding and fully supporting the baby at all times. Buoyancy aids may be used but are not essential, as continuous adult support is provided. Correct support techniques are taught, including secure holds with full head and body support, maintaining close contact, eye contact, and frequent reassurance.

The STA Starfish Programme is an innovative series of six progressive awards designed to introduce babies, from just a few months old, to the pool environment alongside their accompanying adult. The programme focuses on early water confidence, safety, bonding, and sensory awareness, creating a gentle and positive first experience in the water.

This programme provides the perfect introduction to swimming. Parents and babies are encouraged to slow down, ground themselves, and enjoy being present in the water together. Lessons promote calm, relaxed movement, allowing babies to experience the water naturally through floating, splashing, and sensory play, rather than structured swimming actions.

All sessions take place in shallow water, with the parent or guardian in the pool holding and fully supporting the baby at all times. Buoyancy aids may be used but are not essential, as continuous adult support is provided. Correct support techniques are taught, including secure holds with full head and body support, maintaining close contact, eye contact, and frequent reassurance.

The STA Starfish Programme is an innovative series of six progressive awards designed to introduce babies, from just a few months old, to the pool environment alongside their accompanying adult. The programme focuses on early water confidence, safety, bonding, and sensory awareness, creating a gentle and positive first experience in the water.

This programme provides the perfect introduction to swimming. Parents and babies are encouraged to slow down, ground themselves, and enjoy being present in the water together. Lessons promote calm, relaxed movement, allowing babies to experience the water naturally through floating, splashing, and sensory play, rather than structured swimming actions.

All sessions take place in shallow water, with the parent or guardian in the pool holding and fully supporting the baby at all times. Buoyancy aids may be used but are not essential, as continuous adult support is provided. Correct support techniques are taught, including secure holds with full head and body support, maintaining close contact, eye contact, and frequent reassurance.

The STA Starfish Programme is an innovative series of six progressive awards designed to introduce babies and young toddlers, aged 6–18 months, to a fun and positive water experience alongside their accompanying adult. The programme focuses on developing water confidence, early safety awareness, sensory exploration, and secure parent–child bonding.

Sessions are delivered in a calm, nurturing, and playful environment, allowing babies to explore the water through movement, touch, sound, and repetition. The emphasis is on enjoyment and reassurance, helping each child feel safe, relaxed, and happy in the water while gently building early aquatic skills.

All lessons take place in shallow water, with the parent or guardian in the pool holding and supporting their child at all times. Buoyancy aids may be used if appropriate, but they are not essential, as the adult provides continuous physical support. Parents are guided in using safe and secure support positions, including full head and body support, maintaining eye contact, and offering consistent verbal encouragement.

Be prepared to step back and let your toddler have great fun and swim more independently. We are introducing the use of floatation aids like backpacks and armband discs for independent swimming. Let your toddler dive into interactive games with floatation aids, vibrant toys, poolside and other children. We will use songs and repeated actions for embedding good swim practices above and underwater.

This programme is designed to be the next stage for swimmers who have progressed through either the Stanley First Steps Series or Octopus Series.