Our social media continuously updates families on important events, program philosophies and general information. Please ensure you are following us at:

• Instagram: laurielawrenceswimschool
• Facebook Page: Laurie Lawrence Swim School

Our staff will contact you via phone or email. Please ensure your contact details are kept up to date in our system so we can contact you with important information such as schedule or teacher changes, last minute emergency closures and more. 

We also have an App which includes a parent portal. Here you can check swimmers progress, check booking times, create absences, search for class availability, read newsletters, access terms and conditions, update and process payment and more.

Search and download the Iclass Pro app now. Click here for instructions on how to set up your parent portal.

Please ensure you are following our social media

• Safe & secure learning environment – children learn to swim with an adult which assists in staying safe in home pools or out in public.
• Maximum practice time – children receive a full 30 minute lesson, no waiting for turns or time wasting.
• Additional supervision – with instructor and parents in the water the little swimmers have lots of supervision to keep them safe in the water
• Skill acquisition – manipulation and encouragement of good technique ensures children learn quickly
• Behaviour management – teachers can work with the parent to create a positive learning environment
• Bonding – swimming lessons provide one on one quality time
• Parent education – the caregiver becomes knowledgeable in the learn to swim process and can continue skill building and practice during play time with their child

Make a start! Book into a lesson (we recommend 2 lessons per week for maximum results) and try to be as consistent as possible in your attendance. Our highly trained and empathetic teachers will go at an appropriate pace for your child’s emotions and ability. They will build rapport with the swimmer and go at a pace that will support their learning.

Swimmers under the age of 4 years require an adult in the water at all times.

We do not use force or intimidation in our swimming program. The relationship between the swimmer and the instructor is very important. Once they have built trust and rapport with their student they will work together to achieve developmentally and age appropriate skills in all levels of our program. Remember – everyone learns at a different pace. Be patient and the end result will be exciting and rewarding for swimmer, instructor and parents.

Our specifically designed teaching spaces are great to assist frightened beginners – shallow water, teaching ledges and sturdy tables in the water assist swimmers in feeling comfortable in the water environment.

You can assist by playing with your child at home or at a public pool. The more relaxed and positive exposure they have to the water the quicker they will improve. If your child is frightened go very slowly - all it takes is patience and time with frightened children. If you are playing in a pool together and are holding your child in deep water, they may feel frightened or scared as they navigate this new space. Playing in an area that is shallow or on a ledge is a better option for the frightened beginner. This helps them feel in control of their situation as they can sit, stand or move throughout the water independently.

Once they have built up their confidence in the shallow you can gradually introduce them to deeper water. This can be done by reassuring your child that you are there with them and setting small tasks to accomplish. For example, play on the ledge and then go and touch the lane rope (in the deep) and then come straight back and play on the ledge. Build trust and rapport with your child. Do not break that trust by doing something that will frighten them – for example if you tell your child you will not move while they jump out to you keep this promise. Small achievable skills will lead to big, exciting goals with your support.

Learning must be fun for parent and child. Insisting children perform learn to swim activities while they cry or show signs of distress is detrimental to their learning. However, it is difficult to say that children will never cry during a swimming lesson. How can we support children make swimming lessons a fun and supportive experience?

Young children communicate their needs and problems through crying. They may be tired, hungry, or clingy at specific times of the day. Avoid scheduling a lesson during baby’s sleep or feed time. Attending a lesson when the child is happy and awake is a good start to a positive learning experience in the water.

Parents will know when young children are feeling tired, overwhelmed or out of sorts. Communication with the instructor will allow modification of activities to allow a positive and happy environment in the water. Songs, games and the use of colourful toys can serve as a great distraction when swimmers are feeling out of sorts.

Ideally children should enter and leave the swimming lesson happy and relaxed. If your child becomes unsettled during the swimming lesson try to remain calm and respond to their needs using communication, stimulation and distraction. You may need to find a quiet space on one of our shallow teaching ledges to sooth your child as you communicate, maintain eye contact and provide positive facial expressions. Play will be vital in helping to relax your child and teach them to love the water.

Very young swimmers may need immediate assistance to stop crying if they are tired or hungry. Parents may decide to finish their lesson early to attend to their baby’s needs.

Older swimmers may need assistance in regulating their emotions in the swimming lesson. Positive rewards can assist them to continue their lesson without tears or tantrums. Examples of this could be a high five, smile or cuddle with a parent.

Try to continue to participate in the lesson if your toddler is unhappy or unwilling to participate. Remember this behaviour can be a regular part of their development. Our instructors understand that toddlers can sometimes have big emotions – many of them are parents and have gone through this stage themselves. They have lots of experience and are happy to assist you in any way they can.

Communicate with your instructor about behaviour management strategies that work at home. If you are having ongoing concerns with your child being unsettled during the lesson, please speak with one of our experienced team members.

Staff possess professional industry qualifications with AUSTSWIM and Swim Coaches & Teachers Australia. In addition to the Learn to Swim qualification, many of our staff have additional qualifications in extension courses such as Teacher of Infant Swimming, Teacher of Access and Inclusion, Teachers of Adults and additional Coaching qualifications.

Our staff are trained in Laurie’s teaching methodology to ensure the highest quality of instruction. Management and deck supervisors provide ongoing feedback and assessment to all staff members to ensure we are providing quality learning experiences to all clients. Staff attend ongoing professional development sessions provided by our Head of Training and Curriculum. We provide online and face to face training opportunities multiple times throughout the year. We also allow 1 on 1, small group and centre wide training sessions to ensure we are compliant with industry standards and allow learning opportunities for the many different aspects of our program and business.

Laurie created the world’s first online learning platform WorldWideSwimSchool, for the aquatics industry in ENTER YEAR. Since then, this online learning platform has continued to grow and is utilised by governing bodies, owners, managers and swim instructors all over the world for professional development and to upskill staff. We are proud to use www.worldwideswimschool.com as an interactive training resource to train our staff.

Many of our Instructors have been nominated for and won State and National Awards within the aquatic industry and we are very proud to work with all of our positive, highly trained, wonderful staff. Click here to see our award nominated and winning staff.

We have some staff members who have presented at state, national and international professional development opportunities and conferences. These staff members have endless knowledge and experience in the industry and we are very lucky to work with them. Click here to see where our staff have presented their knowledge for their aquatic industry peers.

Interested in becoming a swimming teacher? We can provide the training and support you need. Click here to enquire about a rewarding career in the aquatics industry.

All Laurie Lawrence Swim School centres have national accreditation with Austswim, Swim Coaches & Teachers Australia and The Australian Swim School Association. These governing bodies offer professional development opportunities online and in person at conferences each year.

At LLSS we start babies in the pool at four months. However, parents can begin swimming lessons at home in the bathtub from the day a baby is born. Please click on the link to see our step by step guide of how to start swimming lessons at home with your newborn.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN11fdxorPI9hJE1pvJj1Sw76Yo34mM7w

Our friendly reception staff are your first port of call if you have any questions or concerns. They can also assist you in making changes to your bookings or answer any questions about our program. If our reception staff are unable to help, they can point you in the direction of a deck supervisor, manager or owner. Want to contact us directly?

Email your centre: [email protected] or [email protected]

Payments are required weekly via direct debit only. Payment is taken each Monday for the lesson of that week. Family & multiple lesson discounts apply. Please click here to access pricing information.

Lessons can be put on hold without payment for up to 4 weeks throughout the year. Please click here for more details.

We require 2 weeks written notice to cancel lessons. Lessons will continue to be charged until clients cancel their booking. Please contact us if you no longer with to continue swimming so we can arrange cancellation of booking and payment.

Laurie Lawrence Swim School has a strict NO MAKE UP policy. We value commitment and consistency within our program and do not believe we can offer quality lessons by offering make up lessons. We believe that make up lessons are a distraction to the cohesiveness of an existing class and are difficult to book when the program is running at full capacity.

Do you know what we think is better than a make up lesson? Lots of free lessons! We offer a free trial lesson to swimmers starting with us. We offer a Winter Promotion every year where swimming can access at least 8 free lessons. We run a Free Holiday Intensive (5 free lessons) every September school holidays. Click here for more information.

Laurie promotes the concept of group dynamics in a learning environment provided the children are grouped according to ability levels. He believes the natural competition within the group helps faster skill development. Children learn through seeing, interacting, and competing with other children in their class. We do not recommend private lessons but understand that there may be individual circumstances that require a private lesson format.

Our centres are closed on public holidays. We do have centres in different states and swimmers who cross the border to attend lessons. Please note that the public holiday closures are for the state that the centre is located.

Our lessons continue to run when it’s raining. Our pools are heated and comfortable to swim in no matter what the weather.

Our Banora centre is indoors so rain doesn’t affect the swimmers during their lesson.

Our Burleigh centre has both an indoor and outdoor pool. Lessons continue during the rain at this centre.

We cannot predict when storms hit our areas. We follow the national Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations for storms and lightning at our centres. Our staff may remove swimmers from their lesson if lightning is in the area and wait for a designated amount of time before returning to lessons. If your lesson is affected by cancellation caused by the storm your account will be credited and applied to the following weeks direct debit payment.

We will post updates on social media in the case of a storm

Children should learn to feel their own buoyancy and be able to experience that fun floating sensation before propulsion is taught. Learning to swim without floatation devices teaches children a respect for the water. We do not use floatation devices within our lessons. We do use equipment such as kickboards, pullbuoys and floating mats. We understand that parents with multiple children may choose to use floatation devices as an aid in supervision in backyard or public pools. We recommend staying within arm's reach of young children in the swimming pool. Floatation devices should never replace adult supervision.

Lessons run year round with scheduled breaks throughout for Easter & Christmas etc (Holiday programs are available). A perpetual program allows swimmers to continually develop and improve their skills.

We believe swimming is a year-round activity. Our program is designed to build skills and swimmers are encouraged to participate year-round to continue learning all strokes, skills and drills. Taking a break may interrupt progress or allow skills to deteriorate. Please note we may ask you to come into the centre for an assessment after time away from swimming so we can place the swimming in the correct level for their ability.

If clients must take a break we recommend that the best time to do so is in the summer period. During the summer families have more access to water of many kinds such as backyard and public pools, beaches, creeks, lakes and other swimming spots. They have an opportunity to practice swimming skills while playing during the summer period. Winter is the best time to continue lessons as swimmers have less access to the water during the cooler months. Another great reason to swim during the Winter is to access our Winter Promotion – Free Lessons during this period!

This is a difficult question to answer as there are so many different factors in learning any skill out there – especially swimming. Babies roll, sit and stand at different stages.

Toddlers all walk, talk and toilet train at different times. It takes older children, different amounts of time to learn to ride a bike. Adults learn new skills at a different pace to each other.

The first step in learning to swim is to feel safe, confident and relaxed in the water. This may take some time depending on the swimmer's previous experience and attitudes in an around the water.

The best advice we can give for families wanting their child to learn to swim is:

• Swim frequently – at least 2 lessons per week for optimal learning.
• Be reliable – try not to miss sessions if swimmers are healthy.
• Be consistent – swimming year round will assist in the learning process.

Goggles are a great tool in swimming lessons and can assist swimmers in gaining confidence in the water. It’s important not to introduce goggles too early as it may hinder learning.

We recommend that swimmers don’t use goggles until they are happy and confident in the water. Swimmers should be able to put their face in and submerge underwater before graduating to goggles. If a swimmer accidentally falls into a body of water, they need to know how to navigate back to safety. If they cannot do this without goggles on this can be a very dangerous situation.

A general recommendation is swimmers around 2 years (if they are happy and submerging) and swimmers from Level 2 can start to wear goggles in the lesson.
Younger swimmers should continue to practice part of every lesson without goggles so they don’t become reliant on them and are able to swim without them if required.