About Our Cheam & Sutton Baby Swim Schools
Empowering parents. Enriching childhoods. Building confidence through water.
At babyH2o, we specialise in baby and toddler swimming lessons that are as nurturing as they are effective. From our welcoming pools in Sutton and Cheam, we offer structured, small-group swimming classes for babies aged 3 months to school age. But what we really teach is confidence—for little ones in the water, and for parents supporting them.
Since our founding in 2012, our mission has remained constant:
To help every child develop lifelong water confidence and to support every parent in becoming a proud part of that journey.
Meet Our Swim Instructors
babyH2o was born from a shared love of water, family, and community.
Rae – Founder & Lead Instructor (Sutton Pool)
Originally from South Africa, Rae has always had a strong connection to water. After enrolling her own sons in baby swimming lessons, she discovered her passion for teaching and never looked back. With over 19 years’ experience, Rae developed babyH2o’s structured “Building Blocks” approach, designed to help babies progress confidently from early water play to independent swimming.
She launched babyH2o in Sutton, where her warm, clear teaching style quickly earned her a loyal community of local families. In 2025, Rae expanded the programme to Cheam, providing a seamless next step for more advanced learners.
Qualifications:
✓ 19+ years of experience teaching baby and toddler swimming
✓ ASA Level 1 & 2 Swimming Instructor
✓ STA Baby & Pre-School Teaching Certification (2012)
✓ Pool Safety Award (renewed biannually)
✓ First Aid Certified
✓ Safeguarding Certified (renewed every 3 years)
✓ Full, clean DBS check
Gemma – Lead Instructor (Cheam Pool)
A lifelong swimmer from Sutton, Gemma began teaching at 14, inspired by her mother and sisters who all worked in the same local swim school. She qualified in 2010 and has since taught babies, children, and adults across London.
After taking time out to raise her two boys, Gemma returned to teaching and connected with Rae while covering classes. Her calm, supportive style and deep local roots make her a perfect fit for families seeking toddler swimming classes in Cheam.
Qualifications:
✓ Over a decade of teaching experience
✓ ASA/UKCC Level 1 Certificate for Teaching Aquatics (2010)
✓ STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming (2011)
✓ STA Baby and Pre-school Award (2025)
✓ National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers & Coaches (renewed every 2 years)
✓ STA Risk Assessment Programme
✓ STA Safeguarding Certification (renewed every 3 years)
✓ Full, clean DBS check
What Makes babyH2o Different?
There are many swim schools, but few with our heart, heritage, and structure. Here’s why local families choose us:
- ✅ Trusted by hundreds of parents across Sutton & Cheam
- 🏆 Recognised as one of the top-rated baby swim schools in the area
- 🏊♂️ Two welcoming pools in Sutton & Cheam—both offering expert-led lessons
- 👶 Structured, developmentally aligned lessons tailored to each stage
- 🤝 Parent involvement up to Level 17 builds confidence and emotional security
- 📍 Convenient schedules:
- Sutton: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri & Sun | 9:30–12:30
- Cheam: Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri | 9:30–14:30
- Sutton: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri & Sun | 9:30–12:30
Whether you’re searching for infant swimming programmes in Sutton with certified instructors or parent and baby swimming sessions in Cheam, babyH2o provides expert-led, heart-led experiences that truly make a difference.
FAQs About Our Baby & Toddler Swimming Lessons
Q. What age can my baby start swimming lessons?
A. Our baby swimming lessons start from 3 months old, right through to pre-school age. All sessions are carefully tailored to your child’s developmental stage, ensuring a safe and engaging environment for every swimmer.
Q. Do parents join their babies in the water?
A. Yes. For all levels up to Level 17, a parent or carer is required to be in the water. This not only builds trust and confidence but also creates a special bonding experience for you and your baby. Once your child reaches the appropriate level, they may begin swimming more independently.
Q. How many children are in each class?
A. We keep class sizes small to ensure personalised attention:
✓ Up to 6 babies per session in Sutton
✓ Up to 4-5 babies per session in Cheam
This allows our instructors to give every child the support they need.
Q. What should I bring to my baby’s first swimming lesson?
A. Please bring:
✓ A well-fitting swim nappy (plus a spare)
✓ A baby wetsuit or swimwear (see here)
✓ A towel for both baby and parent and any changing items you might need
✓ Yourself – ready to join them in the water!
We recommend arriving a little early so you can settle in without feeling rushed.
Q. Are your instructors qualified and DBS-checked?
A. Absolutely. All babyH2o instructors are:
✓ Fully qualified with ASA and STA certifications
✓ First Aid and Pool Safety trained
✓ Hold valid DBS checks and safeguarding credentials
You can trust that your little one is in experienced, caring hands at all times.
Q. Do you run weekend swimming classes?
A. Yes! Our Sunday sessions in Sutton are particularly popular and tend to book out quickly. We recommend early registration if you require weekend availability.
Q. Do you offer lessons for older, school-aged children?
A. Not at the moment – but we’re actively working on expanding our programme to include school-age swimming lessons in the near future. Our aim is to continue supporting your child’s swim journey as they grow.
Q. How do I book a class?
A. To secure your space:
✓ Head to our Course Registration Page
✓ Choose your location (Sutton or Cheam)
✓ Provide your child’s details, current level, and availability
Once submitted, we’ll be in touch to confirm your slot.
Ready to Begin?
Whether your child is just starting out or progressing through our levels, we’re here to guide them every splash of the way. Spaces fill quickly, particularly for Sunday sessions in Sutton and weekday mornings in Cheam, so we recommend booking early to secure your preferred location and time.