About Little Fishes
It all started with a love of the water
Little Fishes has been helping children build confidence and enjoy swimming since 1998.
Our story
How Little Fishes began
Debbie's journey into swimming began long before Little Fishes existed. When choosing a family home, she ended up somewhere with a river at the bottom of the garden — which made water safety and confidence feel particularly important. She knew that when she had children, she wanted them to feel capable and happy around water from an early age.
When Debbie's eldest child, Georgia, was around eight months old, Debbie met another mum through a parent-and-baby group who was taking her baby to swimming lessons. At the time, this style of baby swimming was still relatively unusual. Debbie decided to try it with Georgia and became fascinated by how comfortable and confident young children could become in the water through positive, gentle experiences.
Watching Georgia's confidence grow inspired Debbie to complete her swimming-teacher training, so she could bring the same approach to families across Hertfordshire.
Little Fishes was founded in September 1998. The very first lessons were held at a Special Needs School in Welwyn Garden City, using a warm hydrotherapy pool — a gentle environment for introducing young children to swimming.
That beginning shaped the philosophy that still matters today: children should learn in an encouraging environment where swimming is genuinely enjoyable, as well as an important life skill. In the early years this was described simply as “play – train – play”.
A reason to start
With a river at the bottom of the garden, water safety and confidence became particularly important to Debbie.
Discovering baby swimming
A mum from a parent-and-baby group introduced Debbie to baby swimming, and Georgia's early lessons were a revelation.
Becoming a teacher
Debbie completed her swimming-teacher training so she could bring the same gentle approach to other families.
1998
Little Fishes began in Welwyn Garden City, teaching in a warm hydrotherapy pool at a Special Needs School.
Little Fishes today
We're still helping children develop confidence, skills and real enjoyment in the water.
Teaching since
1998
Trusted by 5 schools
Trusted by 5 schools to run their swimming lessons
Our approach
Lessons are there to encourage children rather than pressure them, at whatever pace suits them.
Swimming should be enjoyable
Children learn best when they're having fun, so our lessons are warm, friendly and encouraging.
Every child develops differently
Some children take to the water quickly, others need more time. Both are completely normal.
Confidence alongside technique
Feeling happy and capable in the water matters just as much as learning strokes.
An important life skill
Swimming is a skill for life, and positive early experiences help it last.
Our teaching team
Our swimming lessons are delivered by a supportive teaching team, with additional support used in lessons where appropriate. If you'd like to know more about a particular class or teacher, please just ask.
Nearly three decades of Little Fishes
What our families say
The Little Fishes story is really about the children and families who have been part of it along the way.
Debbie and team have worked wonders with my eldest, who used to be afraid of the water and swimming under water. He’s just moved up to the class where he doesn’t need parents and the instructors were brilliant with him! They have been so patient!! I had a proper ‘proud parent’ moment recently to see how far he’s come. Thank you - he loves coming to your classes!
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