Water Babies - Ireland East & North East Omdömen 

We attended Water Babies at Blackrock Hospice from May 2023, when my son was four months old. Our recent experience and the handling of our concerns have led us to leave.

The pool feels cramped with five preschool children ( 3 - 4 years), five parents and a coach—11 people in total. The shallow section is very small, and the sharp drop into deeper water restricted the space my son and I could use, limiting our movement and participation.

Previous coaches were warm and encouraging. This year, I have felt that my son received little direct interaction or encouragement from the current coach compared with other children. He does not enjoy this class, although he enjoys swimming lessons elsewhere.

When we joined, we were told that a move to a larger nearby venue was planned as the children grew. After I raised my concerns by email and telephone, the manager told me the St Augustine’s option had not been pursued for two years. We had received no written update about this.

The communal changing facilities are cramped. During the first two weeks of term, the only toilet available to us in the changing area had neither toilet paper nor paper hand towels. I reported this to the security guard, who was the only person at the main desk, and waited there for approximately 30 minutes for the matter to be addressed. The supplies had not been replenished when I left.

Management offered a transfer to Tullyvale, Cherrywood, at least a 35-minute drive from our home, at a time that conflicted with my son’s music class. I explained that this was not a workable alternative. They agreed to raise the facilities issue and pass on my feedback to the coach.

However, they refused to refund the €175 paid for our seven remaining classes, citing their cancellation policy. Parents considering booking should check these terms carefully: in our case, withdrawing after the term began meant receiving no refund for the remaining lessons.

Based on the teaching experience, facilities and handling of our concerns, I would not recommend Water Babies.

A reply to WaterBabies comment below:
Thank you for responding.

For accuracy, during our telephone conversation I was told that the St Augustine’s option had not been pursued for two years. We had received no written update about this.

My review describes why the current class arrangement did not work for my son and me: five children, five parents and a coach in a small pool with a limited shallow area and a sharp change in depth; limited direct engagement from the current coach; and cramped changing facilities, including no toilet paper or hand towels during the first two weeks of term.

We rebooked because of our positive experience with Water Babies over the preceding years. The concerns described in my review related to our more recent experience.

The alternative offered at Tullyvale was at a time that conflicted with my son’s music class and involved a journey of at least 35 minutes from our home, so it was not workable.

Your response confirms that the €175 paid for the remaining seven lessons will not be refunded under the cancellation policy. That is why I advised parents to check the terms carefully. I stand by my review.

Our daughter has been part of Waterbabies since she was 6 months old in St Michaels House swimming pool since Jan 2023. We started with Jean as our teacher and then we have been with Sandra over the past number of years. Her kindness, dedication, energy and patience whilst teaching along with her obvious unending joy at teaching our class is truly remarkable! We love it and our class is always the highlight of the week for us as a family. Our daughter only has a few chapters left but her progress and her swimming ability is phenomonal as each chapter passes and builds on the next! Highly highly recommend our Waterbabies experience!

I’ve been attending water babies with my kids for 8 years now and find it a wonderful experience. The teachers are excellent and really work to each child’s skill level. The recent update that allows you to make up a class is really beneficial. My kids have come away with great skills and confidence in the water. I’ve also enjoyed the 1:1 time the class gives us. Would recommend.

Siobhan is an exceptional teacher and love returning to her weekly.

Great and welcoming

My baby loves his weekly class with water babies! Been going since he’s been about 3 months or so and he’s so confident and loves the water! Would recommend!

Waterbabies is fantastic!
Our son started at 10 weeks old and for the last 3.5 years has developed fantastic water safety skills.
Our teacher Siobhan has been an incredible teacher and our son loves his weekly lessons with her. She is absolutely brilliant.
The water safety modules are a fantastic tool for little ones to have

The coach was excellent my son loved going every week,
We gave enrolled our 2nd to begin soon we enjoyed it thst much

Water babies for us is amazing!!! It started our 2 boys of in learning one of the most important skill in life. Our 8 year old still looks at his badges 🩵 Our 19 month old wasn't so sure when he started at 10 weeks, Conor screamed from week 2 or 3 right through till week 10 in term 1 but bounced back in term 2 with smiles and loving ever since! He loves the different teachers we have met through our moves around. All staff everywhere have been amazing! Conor has loved Linda, Siobhan and Suzanne! He has become a very confident little boy in the water and that is all thanks to these ladies! Amazing at what they do! And you can not forget the girls at the desks who are always so welcoming!! Thanks again waterbabies!! 🩵🩵 Our no.1 swim class 🩵🩵

Sinead is a great teacher. Lyra loves going to her swim classes and they always flow really well considering it's quite a few toddlers!

Sharon is just absolutely amazing! She is a great swim instructor and brilliant with the kids she makes the session so enjoyable it’s been wonderful! Such a good class to bond with my baby too.

Water babies in J6 is so well organised and Suzanne is an amazing instructor. We felt safe and comfortable at all times during the underwater swims and my baby girl loved it. Already looking forward to term 2.

Delighted with our first term in Waterbabies, the improvement from the 1st class until the last is amazing to see! Looking forward to next term

Our teacher is always to kind and patient. We found the classes very constructive and fun. Was just enough time for the little one so they weren’t getting too overwhelmed.

Lyra absolutely loves the classes, she is definitely sharpening her skills as a swimmer. Therese is a great teacher, very helpful and very reassuring

Absolutely love our swimming sessions! Our teacher Chiara is amazing! The only thing that keeps it from being 5 stars is the lack of availability for catch up classes. Unfortunately most classes are full so I understand but it would be great to have more variety for a catch up classes!
I highly recommend getting your baby into these classes!!

Great class, Linda is fantastic teacher. Perfect class for maternity leave

Amina loves her swimming teacher, she's so kind and makes the class fun. She loved doing her underwater baby photo shoot, it was really well organised. She cant wait to continue learning to be the best swimmer, all thanks to her lovely coach.

Great motivation from teachers when babies/toddlers are going through stages where they arent enjoying swimming/ certain aspects. Variety to classes stops it feeling repetitive