ducklings – our Pre-school swimming lesson programme
Start your child’s swimming journey with Burnley Leisure and Culture and build their water confidence from an early age with our Ducklings Pre-School Swimming lessons, part of our Swim Academy.
make a splash and introduce your child to the wonderful world of swimming
Following Swim England’s Pre-School Swimming Framework, our Ducklings Pre-School Swimming Programme, will help your children build water confidence, enjoy being in the water, and develop the fundamental skills that will prepare them for our Junior Swim Academy lessons.
Children must be accompanied by an adult in the water at all times.
Discovery Ducklings has 4 awards (1-4) which form the start of your child’s learn to swim experience. With parental support in the water, children build their water confidence whilst beginning to learn some key aquatic skills such as:
- Entering and exiting the water safely with adult support
- Moving through the water in different positions with adult support
- Feeling at ease with water being poured over the face or being splashed by water
- Floating with adult support.
Although parents continue to support children in the water, the focus is around building children’s confidence and enabling them to become more independent in the water as we work through the 4 Ducklings Awards stages. Children will continue to build their water confidence and working on skills so that they are able to:
- Move by themselves in the water
- Perform floats in different positions unaided
- Jump into the water unaided, but supervised
- Submerge themselves in the water
Travel 10 metres in the pool without support
To register for lessons, complete the online registration form. Children can be registered from birth and start lessons from six months old.
Payment for lessons is via a monthly Direct Debit.
Pre-school swim lessons Locations
Find Pre-school swim lessons at our Burnley locations and help your child build confidence and learn essential skills through our Discovery Ducklings and Ducklings swim sessions.
-
St Peter’s Leisure Centre
Read more
: St Peter’s Leisure Centre -
Padiham Leisure Centre
Read more: Padiham Leisure Centre
ducklings Pricing
Lessons are paid for by monthly Direct Debit.
JUNIOR
£28.00
Prices include weekly lesson and unlimited swimming for the member to practice what they have learned in lessons (accompanying parent/guardian must pay to swim).
Your workout just got more rewarding
Book classes and activities on the go with our app. Manage your booking easily, and unlock exclusive discounts all in one place. Download now!
frequently asked questions
We would recommend children start lessons as soon as possible. Through our pre-school programme, lessons are available from six months old onwards from April 2026
Parents are required to get in the water for pre-school swimming lessons (children under 4 years old) and if attending an SEND group lesson. Once children enter Stages 1-7 of our junior swimming lessons, no parental support is required.
If a parent isn’t confident going in the water with their child, a grandparent or other adult family member can support the child during lessons.
All floatation aids, swimming aids and other equipment is provided during lessons. All you need to remember is your child’s swimming costume, towel and goggles if needed.
Make a splash with our other swimming activities
We offer a wide range of programmes for all ages and abilities, from Swim Academy and children’s lessons to adult swimming, Swim Fit, and pre-school sessions. Whether you’re learning, training, or simply enjoying the water, our aquatics, wellbeing, and health suite facilities provide something for everyone.
Get fit, get rewarded.
Download the BLC app.
Easily book and manage your activities, stay on top of your account, discover exciting new experiences, and keep up with the latest news and events – all in one place, anytime, anywhere.
- Book & manage your activities
- Manage your account
- Discover new activities
- Stay up to date with the latest news and events
- Free to download and easy to use
- And much more!