Parent & Family Handbook
Welcome to Melissa Corby’s Learn to Swim.
We are delighted to welcome you and your family to our swimming community.
For us, learning to swim is about so much more than learning strokes. It is about developing water confidence, safety, independence, resilience and a lifelong positive relationship with the water.
Every child is different. They learn differently, develop confidence at different rates and bring their own personality and experiences into the water.
That is why our teaching approach is personalised, patient and holistic.
We take the time to understand each swimmer and support them at their individual level, while gently encouraging them to progress and achieve their potential.
Our goal is for every swimmer to feel safe, supported, capable and proud of what they achieve.
Building Confidence for Life.
2. Our Story
Melissa Corby’s Learn to Swim has grown from a genuine love of teaching children and a belief that swimming education should develop the whole child, not simply teach them how to move through the water.
With more than 30 years of experience, Melissa has seen first-hand that the strongest swimmers are not created by rushing children through levels.
They develop through patience, consistency, trust, quality teaching and strong foundations.
Over the years, this philosophy has shaped a swimming program that places the individual swimmer at the centre of every lesson.
We recognise that some children enter the water full of confidence, while others may be cautious, anxious or need additional time to feel secure.
Both are equally welcome.
Our role is to meet each swimmer where they are and help them move forward.
As swimmers progress, we continue to develop technique, strength, endurance and stroke efficiency while maintaining the confidence and water-safety skills established in their early lessons.
The result is a program designed not simply to create capable swimmers, but confident young people who understand and respect the water.
3. Meet Melissa
Melissa Corby
Founder & Swim Educator
For more than 30 years, Melissa has dedicated herself to teaching children to swim and helping families develop confidence around water.
Her teaching philosophy is built around a simple belief:
Every child can learn — but not every child learns in the same way.
Melissa understands that successful swimming lessons require more than technical instruction.
Children need to feel safe, understood and supported before genuine learning can take place.
Her approach combines swimming technique, water safety, confidence building and individualised teaching to create lessons where children can progress without unnecessary pressure.
Melissa places particular importance on developing strong foundations.
Rather than moving swimmers through levels simply because of age or the number of lessons completed, progression is based on:
Skill • Independence • Confidence • Water Safety • Readiness
This allows each swimmer to develop at a pace that is appropriate for them while still being encouraged and challenged.
Melissa’s aim is for families to know that when their child enters the water, they are being taught with care, purpose and professional attention.
Most importantly, she wants children to leave their lessons feeling proud of themselves and excited about what they can achieve next.
4. Our Philosophy
Building Confidence for Life
At Melissa Corby’s Learn to Swim, we believe confidence is the foundation of successful learning.
Before a child can become a strong swimmer, they need to feel secure in their environment and develop trust in themselves, their teacher and the water.
We don't believe in rushing this process.
Our holistic approach considers the whole swimmer — physically, emotionally and developmentally.
We aim to create an environment where children are encouraged to challenge themselves while knowing they are supported.
Swimming lessons provide opportunities to develop much more than swimming ability.
Children can learn:
Confidence
Independence
Resilience
Persistence
Coordination
Body awareness
Listening skills
Respect for water
Water-safety awareness
These are skills children can carry beyond the swimming pool and into everyday life.
That is why our philosophy is:
Building Confidence for Life.
5. Why Choose Us?
We understand that choosing a swim school is an important decision for your family.
Our program is designed around quality rather than simply progressing children through levels as quickly as possible.
Families can expect:
Personalised teaching — we recognise that every swimmer learns differently.
Strong foundations — we take the time to establish essential skills correctly.
Confidence-based learning — children are encouraged without unnecessary pressure.
Water safety — safety skills are incorporated throughout the swimming journey.
Technical development — as swimmers progress, increasing attention is placed on correct stroke technique and efficiency.
Individual progression — children progress when they demonstrate readiness rather than simply because they have attended a certain number of lessons.
A holistic approach — we recognise the physical, emotional and developmental aspects of learning.
A positive environment — children are encouraged to feel proud of their progress and achievements.
6. Our Swimming Programs
Our programs are designed to support swimmers through each stage of their swimming journey.
Carers & Babies
From approximately 4 months
A gentle introduction to the aquatic environment for babies and their carers.
Lessons focus on positive water experiences, bonding, movement, confidence and early water-safety foundations.
Confidence Builders
Designed for young or cautious swimmers who are beginning to develop independence in the water.
Confidence comes before distance.
We work gradually towards safe entries and exits, breath control, floating, movement and independent swimming.
Level 1 — Foundations
Our focus is on developing essential swimming foundations including:
Water confidence • Breath control • Floating • Body position • Kicking • Safe entries and exits • Independent movement
Strong foundations make future swimming skills easier to learn.
Level 2 — Beginners
Swimmers begin bringing their foundation skills together.
We develop greater independence, swimming distance, breathing, coordination and early stroke technique.
Level 3 — Stroke Correction
The focus moves towards developing efficient swimming technique.
Swimmers work on body position, breathing, coordination, stroke correction, strength and endurance.
Level 4 — Advanced
Advanced swimmers continue refining recognised swimming strokes while developing endurance, efficiency, fitness and advanced water skills.
Adult Swimming — Levels 1–4
Adults are welcome at every stage of their swimming journey.
Programs can support complete beginners, adults rebuilding confidence, stroke development and more advanced swimming.
Private Holistic & Confidence Connections
Individual sessions can provide additional support for swimmers who benefit from a more personalised environment.
The focus is tailored to the individual swimmer and may include confidence, relaxation, water familiarisation, skill development and positive connection with the aquatic environment.
7. How Children Progress
One of the most important things we want families to understand is that progress is individual.
Children do not automatically move levels because they have reached a particular age or completed a particular number of lessons.
Progression considers:
Skill development
Water safety
Confidence
Independence
Consistency
Technique
Emotional readiness
A child may master one skill quickly and need considerably more time with another.
This is a normal part of learning.
Our teachers will encourage progression while ensuring important foundations are not skipped.
We don't rush confidence. We build it.
8. Assessment & Progression
Assessment is an ongoing part of our teaching.
Teachers observe swimmers during their regular lessons rather than creating unnecessary pressure around a single assessment day.
We look at the swimmer's overall development and their ability to demonstrate skills confidently, safely and consistently.
Moving to the next level should be an exciting achievement.
However, progressing too early can create gaps in technique, confidence or safety skills.
Our priority will always be placing swimmers where they have the greatest opportunity to learn, succeed and continue progressing.
9. Our Partnership With Parents
Parents and carers are an important part of a child's swimming journey.
Your encouragement can have an enormous influence on how your child feels about learning.
We encourage families to celebrate:
Effort rather than perfection.
Progress rather than comparison.
Courage rather than speed.
A child putting their face underwater for the first time can be just as significant as another child swimming their first full lap.
Both deserve to feel proud.
10. Watching Your Child's Lesson
We welcome parents and carers to observe lessons from the designated viewing area.
Children generally learn best when they can establish a strong connection with their teacher and concentrate on the lesson.
We therefore ask parents to allow the teacher to provide instruction during lesson time.
A smile, wave or encouraging word afterwards can mean much more than giving instructions from poolside.
If you have a question or concern about your child's progress, please speak with us before or after the lesson rather than during teaching time.
11. Please Don't Compare Swimmers
Every child develops differently.
Children of the same age may have very different swimming experiences, physical development, confidence levels and learning styles.
Comparing one swimmer with another can unintentionally create pressure.
Instead, we encourage families to compare their child's progress with where that child began.
Sometimes the most important progress isn't measured in metres.
It may be the first time a child:
Walks confidently into their lesson.
Puts their face underwater.
Lets go of their teacher.
Floats independently.
Tries something they were previously afraid to attempt.
Those moments matter.
12. Supporting Individual Needs
We want every swimmer to have the opportunity to feel successful.
If your child has learning, sensory, behavioural, communication or physical needs that may affect their swimming lesson, we encourage you to speak privately with us.
Knowing how your child communicates, learns and responds allows us to make thoughtful adjustments where possible.
Our focus is not on expecting every swimmer to learn in exactly the same way.
Our focus is on finding the best way to help that individual swimmer learn.
13. Health & Attendance
For the wellbeing of swimmers, teachers and other families, children should not attend swimming lessons when they are unwell or experiencing symptoms that may affect others.
Please advise us if there is relevant information that may affect your child's safe participation in their lesson.
Regular attendance is strongly encouraged.
Like any skill, swimming develops through practice and consistency.
Long breaks can sometimes affect confidence, technique and skill retention, particularly for younger or beginner swimmers.
14. Before Your Lesson
Please arrive with enough time for your child to prepare calmly for their lesson.
Children should have appropriate swimwear and any equipment requested for their program.
Where appropriate, long hair should be secured away from the face.
Please encourage children to use the bathroom before their lesson.
A calm arrival helps children transition positively into their swimming lesson.
15. Food & Drinks
For safety and cleanliness around the aquatic environment, please follow the facility's rules regarding food and drinks.
Children should not enter a swimming lesson immediately after consuming a very large meal.
Water bottles are encouraged where appropriate, particularly for older swimmers and longer or more physically demanding sessions.
16. Photography & Privacy
The privacy and safety of our swimmers and families are important to us.
Photographs or videos should not be taken of other children without appropriate permission.
From time to time, we may wish to photograph or film swimming activities for educational, promotional or website purposes.
Where required, appropriate parent or guardian consent will be obtained.
We ask all families to respect the privacy of others within the swimming environment.
17. Water Safety
Swimming lessons are an important part of water-safety education, but no child is drown-proof.
Swimming ability should never replace active adult supervision around water.
Children should always be appropriately supervised around:
Swimming pools • Beaches • Rivers • Dams • Spas • Baths • Other bodies of water
We encourage families to continue reinforcing safe behaviour outside swimming lessons.
Children should learn to respect water while still enjoying it.
18. Behaviour & Respect
We want our swimming environment to be positive, safe and welcoming.
We expect swimmers, parents, carers and staff to treat one another with respect.
Children will be encouraged to:
Listen to their teacher.
Follow safety instructions.
Respect other swimmers.
Wait for their turn.
Use equipment appropriately.
Encourage their classmates.
Try their best.
Positive behaviour allows everyone to learn safely and enjoy their swimming experience.
19. Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly will my child learn to swim?
There isn't one answer because every child is different.
Age, previous swimming experience, confidence, attendance, physical development and individual learning style can all influence progression.
Our goal is not simply fast progression.
Our goal is safe, confident and lasting progression.
Why hasn't my child moved to the next level?
Sometimes a swimmer can perform many skills within the next level but still need more consistency in an important foundation skill.
Moving too early can make later swimming development more difficult.
We will always consider the swimmer's overall readiness.
What if my child is frightened of the water?
Please tell us.
Fear should be approached with patience and understanding.
We will work gradually to build trust and positive experiences rather than forcing a child through their fear.
Should I practise with my child?
Positive water experiences outside lessons can be very beneficial.
We encourage families to reinforce water safety and allow children to enjoy practising appropriate skills.
Your child's teacher can advise you if there is something specific that would be helpful to practise.
What if my child has a difficult lesson?
One difficult lesson does not mean your child is going backwards.
Children can be tired, distracted, emotional or simply have an off day — just like adults.
We look at progress over time, not one individual lesson.
20. Communication
Open communication between families and teachers is important.
If you have questions about your child's lessons, progress or placement, please speak with us.
Likewise, if something has happened that may affect your child's lesson — perhaps they are nervous, tired or have recently had a negative experience around water — letting the teacher know can be extremely helpful.
Small pieces of information can help us understand what your child needs that day.
21. Our Commitment to Your Family
When you entrust your child to Melissa Corby’s Learn to Swim, we understand the responsibility that comes with that trust.
Our commitment is to provide swimming education that is:
Safe
Water safety will always remain at the heart of what we teach.
Professional
Lessons have purpose, structure and clear learning outcomes.
Individual
We recognise the swimmer, not simply their level.
Encouraging
We challenge children while supporting their confidence.
Progressive
Strong foundations lead to increasingly advanced swimming skills.
Holistic
We recognise that confidence, wellbeing and emotional readiness are part of successful learning.
Above all, we want every child who comes through our program to leave with something they can carry throughout their life:
Confidence in themselves.
Confidence in the water.
And skills that can help keep them safe for life.
💙 Thank You
Thank you for choosing Melissa Corby’s Learn to Swim and allowing us to be part of your child's swimming journey.
We look forward to celebrating the little achievements, the big milestones and everything in between.
