Little Fishes is run by Dotty Harris. Dotty is a sport’s enthusiast and parent to 3 young children who has a been teaching swimming for more than 17 years.
Qualifications
- Qualified Secondary School Teacher with Masters Degree in Sports Studies
- A.S.A. Level 2 Swimming Instructor
- S.T.A. Baby and Pre-School Certificate in Aquatic Teaching
- S.T.A. National Rescue Standard Pool Safety Award
- S.T.A Safeguarding and Promoting the welfare of children certificate
- S.T.A. Risk Assessment Program certificate
- Member of Swimming Teachers’ Association (holding S.T.A. public liability insurance)
Our Programme
Parent and baby lessons are run to carefully devised and progressive schemes of work. The ethos behind our programme is to develop confidence and life saving skills from young age whilst bonding infant and parent within a safe, fun and friendly environment.
Parent & baby swimming classes
The programme is split into 8 Levels. In LEVEL ONE you will learn techniques of teaching your baby to swim short distances underwater holding breath, float on her/his back with your support (some babies will float for a short time without any support), swim to the side and hold on whilst keeping the head above the surface – which is an important survival skill. Level One is for babies from 3 months to 14 months old.
In subsequent levels you will learn how to teach your baby to swim on top of the water, jump off the side, turn around and swim back to the side as well as many other skills including fun activities such as diving underwater together. Professional underwater photography is offered too.
Parent & toddler swimming classes
Sessions are aimed at toddlers from 3 years old and aim to build the foundation for a lifelong love of water. Water skills and swimming aids are introduced through structured play. Classes are suitable for children who have progressed through Little Fishes Parent & Baby Swim programme. Children without previous swimming experience are welcome too.
Swimming lessons for children from 4 years plus
Older children who do not need their parent to accompany them in the water will learn core swimming techniques and survival skills. The levels available are: Beginner, Improver, Intermediate and Advanced.
What our Customers Say
We are currently in our third term with Dotty where she has been teaching swimming to our son who is now 16 months old. He was around 8 months when he started Term 1 with her.
The quality of teaching is excellent, Dotty has the perfect blend of technical knowledge, humour and rapport with the children. She is clearly passionate about teaching swimming and working with children. The classes are highly structured with gradual techniques that allow the children to develop new skills and build confidence. You can see your child becoming better as the class progress which is a joy. Each class has a mix of essential life saving skills which develop the child's survival instinct e.g. using a float, holding onto the side, underwater confidence, jumping in from the side, turning and swimming back to the poolside etc. Plus play with toys and the other children. It is an excellent combination of fun and key skills development.
Dotty is an excellent communicator both with the parents and children and this shows with the excellent relationships she builds with the children at all ages.
I will use Dotty for all of our future classes so much so that I would happily travel to a different area to participate in her sessions. I would recommend her without hesitation to any prospective parents looking for superior quality swimming tuition.
Justin and Natalie Smith, Epsom
Through baby/parent classes and toddler swimming Dotty has helped my 3 year old daughter to swim without buoyancy aids, it is amazing. My 10 month old baby daughter also swims under water, holds onto the side of the pool through learning to swim with Dotty. I whole heartedly recommend this amazing experience to you.
Paul, Caterham
Dotty has been taking my 14 months old son for the swimming lessons for the past 6 months. Dotty keeps the lessons fun and structured to allow him and the other babies in our group to gain confidence in the water while having lots of fun.
Daniel Sullivan, Epsom
Dear Dotty, Thank you so much for all your teachings and enthusiasm for the past couple of years. Lucas has really benefited and now loves swimming and the water... he always asks for you and can't wait for Saturdays.
We are immensely grateful for this wonderful gift you gave him.
P.S. Lucas will miss you.
Claudia, Julian and Lucas, Surbiton
