Tiny Swimmer
5 months - 48 months (4 years)
Every confident swimmer starts somewhere.
The Tiny Swimmer Program helps infants and young children build confidence, independence, foundational water safety skills, and early swimming ability through a thoughtful five-level progression.
Our program begins with parent or guardian participation and gradually introduces swimmers to greater independence before they move into fully independent lessons.
A key part of this progression is Tiny Swimmer 3, our dedicated transition level. Rather than asking young swimmers to move directly from having a parent in the water to swimming independently, Tiny Swimmer 3 gives them time to build comfort, trust, participation, and independence while their parent or guardian remains actively involved and available.
Our five Tiny Swimmer levels are designed for swimmers from 5 months to 48 months. Age ranges intentionally overlap because swimmers progress based on their confidence, readiness, participation, and skill development rather than age alone.
Every child develops differently and progresses at their own pace. Our goal throughout the program is to help swimmers become safe, confident, increasingly independent, and ready to Love the Water.
Enrollment & Registration
All Tiny Swimmer programs at The Swim Space operate on a monthly membership model and include four swim lessons each month.
New swimmers may register for Tiny Swimmer 1 through Tiny Swimmer 4. Tiny Swimmer 5 is available only to swimmers who have completed Tiny Swimmer 4 at The Swim Space.
Choosing between Tiny Swimmer 3 and Tiny Swimmer 4 is based primarily on a swimmer's readiness to participate independently.
Tiny Swimmer 3 is a short-term transition level for swimmers who are preparing to move from parent or guardian participation into independent swimming lessons.
All swimmers entering Tiny Swimmer 3 begin with a parent or guardian in the water for their first classes. As the swimmer becomes more comfortable and independent, their Coach may begin having the parent or guardian move to the pool deck for portions of the lesson.
Throughout their time in Tiny Swimmer 3, a parent or guardian must attend every class in swimwear and ready to enter the water if needed. This requirement continues until the swimmer progresses into Tiny Swimmer 4.
Most swimmers progress from Tiny Swimmer 3 into Tiny Swimmer 4 within approximately 6 to 12 weeks, although every swimmer progresses at their own pace. Regular class attendance during this transition is particularly important because consistency helps swimmers build comfort, confidence, and familiarity with the class routine.
Tiny Swimmer 4 is the appropriate starting point for swimmers who are already comfortable participating in an independent swimming lesson without a parent or guardian in the water. This may include swimmers who have previously taken independent swimming lessons at The Swim Space or with another swim program.
Registration for new swimmers opens on the 20th of each month for the upcoming month.
During the first 19 days of each month, current members receive priority to transfer classes due to schedule changes or level progression.
For this reason, new members requesting a specific class day or time may not receive their first choice, even if it appears available online.
No payment is processed unless a class space has been confirmed.
Progress Check-Ins
Progress check-ins begin in Tiny Swimmer 3 as swimmers prepare for fully independent lessons.
Our Coaches and Supervisors review each swimmer's confidence, participation, skill development, and readiness to progress.
Tiny Swimmer 3 is intended to be a transition rather than a long-term level. Most swimmers are ready to move into Tiny Swimmer 4 within approximately 6 to 12 weeks.
During this time, we are looking for the swimmer to become increasingly comfortable:
participating without continuous parent or guardian assistance
following the class routine and simple instructions
separating comfortably from their parent or guardian
participating safely and successfully within the small group class
demonstrating increasing confidence and independence in the water
Tiny Swimmer 4 and Tiny Swimmer 5 swimmers typically receive a progress check-in every 7 to 9 weeks.
Progression is not automatic after a set number of lessons. Every swimmer develops differently, and swimmers move to the next level when our instructional team determines they are confident, comfortable, and ready to succeed there.
Safety First
Our Tiny Swimmer Program is designed to introduce independence gradually while maintaining appropriate support for young swimmers.
Tiny Swimmer 1 and Tiny Swimmer 2 require a parent or guardian to participate in the water with their swimmer.
All swimmers entering Tiny Swimmer 3 begin with their parent or guardian in the water for their first classes. As swimmers become more comfortable participating independently, their Coach may have the parent or guardian move to the pool deck for portions of the lesson.
A parent or guardian must remain present for every Tiny Swimmer 3 lesson in swimwear and ready to enter the pool if needed. This requirement remains in place for the swimmer's entire time in Tiny Swimmer 3.
Tiny Swimmer 4 and Tiny Swimmer 5 are fully independent lessons with a maximum 3:1 swimmer-to-instructor ratio.
Our small group format allows instructors to provide focused attention while swimmers learn to participate safely and independently.
If a swimmer requires continuous one-on-one support beyond what can reasonably be provided within a group lesson, we may not be able to accommodate them within the program at that time.
If you have questions about class placement or whether the Tiny Swimmer Program is the right fit for your child, please contact us at learn@theswimspace.com.
Our Levels
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Class Length: 30 Minutes
Ages: 5 to 18 months
Parent or Guardian Participation: Required
Maximum Class Size: 12 swimmersEvery swimmer must be accompanied in the water by one parent or guardian. Only one parent or guardian may participate in the water with each swimmer.
Tiny Swimmer 1 introduces infants to the water alongside a parent or guardian in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Through songs, movement, games, and gentle water activities, swimmers begin developing comfort and familiarity with the water. Parents and guardians also learn safe and effective ways to support their swimmer during aquatic activities.
The focus at this stage is on positive experiences, trust, comfort, and helping swimmers feel secure in and around the water.
These early experiences create the foundation for confidence and future swimming development.
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Class Length: 30 Minutes
Ages: 16 to 36 months
Parent or Guardian Participation: Required
Maximum Class Size: 12 swimmersEvery swimmer must be accompanied in the water by one parent or guardian. Only one parent or guardian may participate in the water with each swimmer.
Tiny Swimmer 2 is designed for toddlers who are ready for greater participation and independence while continuing to benefit from the support of a parent or guardian.
Lessons become more Coach-led and swimmers are encouraged to listen, follow simple directions, participate in activities, and begin doing more for themselves.
Foundational swimming and water safety skills continue to develop while swimmers begin building the confidence and independence they will need for the next stage of the program.
For many swimmers, Tiny Swimmer 2 is the final stage in which their parent or guardian participates with them throughout the lesson.
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Class Length: 30 Minutes
Ages: approximately 30 to 48 months
Swimmer-to-Instructor Ratio: Maximum 3:1
Parent or Guardian: One parent or guardian must attend every class in swimwear and be ready to enter the waterTiny Swimmer 3 is our dedicated transition to independent swimming lessons.
Moving from a class with a parent or guardian in the water to a fully independent lesson can be a significant step for a young swimmer. Tiny Swimmer 3 gives swimmers time to make that transition gradually.
All new Tiny Swimmer 3 swimmers begin with one parent or guardian in the water for their first classes. Only one parent or guardian may participate in the water with each swimmer.
As the swimmer becomes more comfortable, confident, and independent, their Coach may begin having the parent or guardian move to the pool deck for portions of the lesson. This transition happens gradually and will be different for every swimmer.
Throughout the swimmer's time in Tiny Swimmer 3, one parent or guardian must attend every class in swimwear and be ready to enter the water if needed. This requirement continues even after the parent or guardian begins remaining on the pool deck, and stays in place until the swimmer progresses into Tiny Swimmer 4.
The focus during Tiny Swimmer 3 is on:
comfort and trust
participating in the class routine
following simple instructions
separating comfortably from a parent or guardian
increasing confidence and independence in the water
continuing to develop foundational swimming and water safety skills
Swimmers may work on skills including floating, kicking, gliding, submerging, body position, and safe movement through the water while learning to participate successfully within a small group lesson.
Tiny Swimmer 3 is intended to be a short-term transition level. Most swimmers progress into Tiny Swimmer 4 within approximately 6 to 12 weeks, although every swimmer develops at their own pace.
Regular attendance is particularly important during Tiny Swimmer 3. Consistent lessons help swimmers become familiar with the class routine and build the comfort and confidence needed to participate independently.
When our instructional team determines that a swimmer is ready to participate without parent or guardian assistance, they will progress into Tiny Swimmer 4.
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Class Length: 30 Minutes
Ages: approximately 30 to 48 months
Swimmer-to-Instructor Ratio: Maximum 3:1
Parent or Guardian Participation: NoneTiny Swimmer 4 is the first fully independent level in the Tiny Swimmer Program.
It is designed for swimmers who are comfortable participating in a swimming lesson without a parent or guardian in the water.
Swimmers may enter Tiny Swimmer 4 after completing the transition through Tiny Swimmer 3. New swimmers may also register directly into Tiny Swimmer 4 if they have previously participated successfully in independent swimming lessons with another swim program.
Swimmers continue developing foundational skills including assisted front and back floats, glides, kicking, body position, submersion, and early independent movement through the water.
Lessons are taught in a small group with a maximum 3:1 swimmer-to-instructor ratio, allowing swimmers to receive focused instruction while continuing to develop confidence and independence.
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Class Length: 30 Minutes
Ages: approximately 30 to 48 months
Swimmer-to-Instructor Ratio: Maximum 3:1
Parent or Guardian Participation: NoneTiny Swimmer 5 builds on the confidence, independence, and foundational swimming skills developed throughout the Tiny Swimmer Program.
Tiny Swimmer 5 is available only to swimmers who have completed Tiny Swimmer 4 at The Swim Space.
Swimmers work toward increasingly independent front and back floats, glides, kicking, body position, and early front swimming while continuing to improve their confidence and control in the water.
Skills are introduced progressively and reinforced through repetition, clear instruction, and successful experiences.
By the end of Tiny Swimmer 5, swimmers are working toward the confidence, independence, and foundational swimming ability needed for a successful transition into our Little Swimmer Program.
Every stage of the Tiny Swimmer Program has the same long-term goal: helping young swimmers become confident, capable, and ready to Love the Water.