A child with armbands moves along the water surface, guided by the instructor, during a parent-and-child lesson in an indoor pool — Parent-child (2-4 years)

Water confidence

Parent-child 2-4 years: towards independence in the water

The parent-child 2-4 years course is the last step of water familiarisation before actual swimming lessons. In warm water and with a parent, children consolidate floating, movement and confidence, getting ready to learn to swim on their own from age 4.

◐ 2-4 years ◈ 30–34 °C (Ponte Tresa, Mendrisio, Balerna, Sementina, Chiasso)

📍 Ponte Tresa · Mendrisio · Balerna · Chiasso · Sementina

Who it’s for

Children aged 2 to 4 with a parent in the water. It’s the ideal bridge between water familiarisation and swimming lessons.

Benefits

Towards swimming

◈Consolidates floating and independent movement

◈Introduces the first technical movements through play

◈Builds confidence and enjoyment of the water

◈Prepares the transition to swim school

The tiled edge of a pool at water level, lapped by the surface

Towards swim school

The last step before swimming

Floating and independence become solid. It’s the bridge between water confidence and real swimming.

How it works

The path, step by step

Step 1
Warm-up and confidence

Games to rebuild confidence with the warm water.
Step 2
Independent movement

Gliding, push-offs and floating with reduced support.
Step 3
First swimming movements

Breathing and propulsion introduced through play.

Every child has their own group.

We form groups by age and level, so your child is always with peers at the same stage. Tell us how old they are and what they can already do in the water: we’ll point you to the right course and time slot.

Tell us your child’s age or message us on WhatsApp

Groups are small. They fill up fast.

The calendar tells you when the lessons are, not how many spots are left. Tell us the course and time you’re interested in: we’ll let you know right away whether there’s still room in the group for the 2026-27 season.

Check available spots or message us on WhatsApp

How much it costs

Cycle of 12 lessons, price depends on location — see the Prices page.

See prices by location · WhatsApp

How much it costs depends on you.

Frequency, location and number of courses change the quote — and those who attend more courses or enrol more family members pay less. Tell us what you have in mind: we’ll reply with an exact figure.

Request your quote or message us on WhatsApp

Frequently asked questions

After this course, when does the transition to swimming happen?

The transition to swim school usually happens around age 4, when the child has developed enough coordination and autonomy to learn to swim without a parent in the water. The 2-4 years course prepares for exactly this moment, consolidating floating, movement and confidence. Ondarte’s swimming courses then follow the Swiss swimsports.ch method.

Which locations offer the 2-4 years course?

The parent-child 2-4 years course is among our most widely offered: it runs at Ponte Tresa, Mendrisio, Balerna, Chiasso and Sementina, in warm water. Days and times for each location are in the 2026-27 course schedule published on the location’s page. Write to us to find the day that suits you best and to check available spots in the right group.

Do I need a medical certificate to sign up?

No. In Switzerland a medical certificate is not required for pool courses and Ondarte does not ask for one: you can sign up directly, with no medical visits or health documents. We only ask you to let us know of any health conditions the instructor should be aware of, so we can support you as well as possible in the water.