AQUABABY DAKAR
In Fann Residence (Sunday Mornings only) & Mamelles
What is Aquababy?
What is Aquababy? Aquababy is exactly what it sounds like—swimming lessons for babies and toddlers! Also known as bébé nageur or baby swim, these parent-and-baby classes are designed for you to be in the water with your child, learning how to confidently support their early swim journey.
You'll be guided through age-appropriate techniques that help your little one build water confidence, develop early independence, and establish the foundation for a lifelong love of swimming.
Early water experiences play a vital role in shaping a child’s long-term relationship with water. Ensuring these first interactions are positive, gentle, and trauma-free is essential as babies begin developing key foundational skills in swimming, water safety, and self-assurance in aquatic environments.
Foundations of Aquababy Cirriculum
Encouraging Water Independence
Supporting babies to explore water safely at their own pace, fostering confidence and autonomy.
Breath Control
Introducing simple breath control techniques to help infants learn to hold their breath, then submerge free of trauma and stress.
Building Comfort & Trust
Using playful songs and games to encourage positive feelings, trust, and comfort in and around the water.
Exploring Buoyancy
Babies experience how water supports their bodies, building early awareness and comfort in the aquatic environment.
Trauma-Free Submersions
Carefully guided underwater experiences designed to be reassuring and stress-free for every child.
Introduction to Propulsive Movements
Early exercises that help baby develop coordination and neuro pathways for swimming movements.
Water Safety and Exploration
Helping Babies Learn Their Limits in the Water While Practicing Essential Safety Techniques Like Back Floating and Wall Recovery
Fostering a love of the water
Using patience and encouragement to strengthen skills and build lasting confidence in every session.
Bonding for Parents and Babies
Baby swim classes provide a nurturing, shared experience where parents and babies connect through guided water activities. With you in the water, your baby feels safe, supported, and confident—creating an ideal environment for building trust in the water.
With you in the water, it will not only strengthen your bond, but also will help your child feel calm, secure, and open to new experiences in the water.
- Boosts water confidence and reduces fear from an early age
- Enhances balance and coordination
- Supports emotional resilience and independence
- Builds strength, balance, and motor skills
- Encourages early brain development
- A Lifelong Love of Water
- Promotes better sleep and appetite through gentle physical activity
- Fosters a lifelong love and respect for the water
- Strengthens the parent–baby bond through shared in-water experiences
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
How long will it take for my baby to learn how to swim?
It’s important to understand that swimming is a developmental journey that takes time—often years—and progress depends largely on how frequently your baby is exposed to the water.
Before babies can learn to swim from point A to point B, they need to first develop essential foundational skills: comfort in the water, breath control, and an awareness of their own buoyancy. As their motor skills mature with age and experience, they’ll naturally begin to show more purposeful and propulsive movement in the water.
While some babies and toddlers do achieve early independent swimming, it’s typically the result of consistent practice—often multiple times a week. In my experience, the little swimmers who make the fastest progress are those who continue practicing outside of class. A single 30-minute session each week is a great starting point, but it’s not likely to produce the kind of “superstar baby swimmer” results you may see in viral videos online.
If you're attending once a week, you can expect your baby to develop a positive, confident, and familiar relationship with the water, as well as develop their breath control so they feel comfortable going underwater. This foundation is incredibly valuable—and it’s what sets the stage for strong swimming skills in the future.
What skills do babies learn in Aqua Baby classes?
Jessie's baby swim classes are designed to gently introduce essential water skills in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment.
Babies begin by developing comfort in the water, breath control, and an awareness of their own buoyancy. They also learn how to safely submerge, climb in and out of the pool, and gain early water independence—all through playful, pressure-free activities tailored to their unique pace.
As their motor skills progress, babies begin to improve their independent propulsion. More advanced safety skills are gradually introduced, such as turning to swim back to the wall, back floating, and swimming short distances independently—all while prioritizing safety, confidence, and enjoyment.
When are classes scheduled and how do I sign up?
Check AvailabilityAquaBaby classes take place at two different locations:
JESSIE'S POOL, MAMELLES
Smaller pool, 3 babies max per class. Classes can be scheduled during the week based on demand.
L'ESCALE D'ORIENT SPA, FANN RESIDENCE
Bigger pool, up to 7 per class.
Classes are offered on Sunday Mornings with different times for different age groups. You may sign up here:
What should I bring to my baby’s swim session?
All babies must wear a swim diaper to enter the water.
Please note that swim diapers are different from regular diapers—they're designed specifically for use in the pool. Regular diapers are not permitted in the pool as they can swell up and explode!
Parents will need to wear a T-shirt or loose-fitting top over their swimsuit. This gives your baby something to hold onto during class, which helps support their independence and grip strength as they explore the water.
Feel free to bring anything else you’d normally take to the pool—towels, snacks, sunscreen, water, and any comfort items for your baby.
How is safety maintained during lessons?
A 1:1 parent–baby ratio is required in all baby swim classes.
Each baby must be accompanied by an adult they feel safe and comfortable with—ideally someone who is confident in the water and able to provide hands-on support throughout the lesson.
Safety is always a top priority. We follow each baby’s individual pace, ensuring that progress only happens when they feel secure, supported, and ready to take the next step.
How much do lessons cost?
Drop in classes are 12,000 cfa. There is a discounted rate when you buy a package for several weeks, including a 10 class bundle at 100,000, and 5 class bundle at 55,000.
How should I prepare my child for lessons?
Please ensure your child arrives well-rested, fed, and dressed in appropriate swimwear, including a reusable swim diaper
What languages are spoken in class?
Classes are conducted in English; however, Jessie is fluent in French and speaks basic Wolof, and can provide translations or language support as needed.
How warm is the pool?
The pool is heated year round and kept between 30 and 34 degrees.
Enroll your Baby or Toddler in Swim Classes
Give your baby a safe and positive start in the water with our expert-led classes. Build trust, independence, and essential water skills while fostering a lifelong love of swimming. Sign up today to secure your spot.
Pricing Packages for classes
at L'Escale D'Orient Spa
(group classes only)
Pricing Packages for classes at L'Escale D'Orient Spa
(group classes only)
10,000 / class
10 Class Bundle
100,000
Valid for 3 months
Pre-booking required
Great for families who want a slight discount but can't make a commitment
One reschedule allowed in less than 24h notice
12,000 / class
Single Drop in Class
12,000
Pay as you go
Limited Availability
Best option for flexibility
No guaranteed weekly spot
11,000 / class
5 Class Bundle
55,000
Valid for 3 months
Access to design resources
Pre-booking required
Great for families who want a slight discount but can't make a commitment
9,000 / class
13 Week Pass
117,000
Guarantees your spot every week for 13 week session
Pre-booking required
Best value for committed families who plan on coming consistently
No refunds or transfer
10,000 / class
10 Class Bundle
100,000
Valid for 3 months
Pre-booking required
Great for families who want a slight discount but can't make a commitment
One reschedule allowed in less than 24h notice
12,000 / class
Drop in Class
12,000
Pay as you go
Limited Availability
Best option for flexibility
No guaranteed weekly spot
11,000 / class
5 Class Bundle
55,000
Valid for 3 months
Access to design resources
Pre-booking required
Great for families who want a slight discount but can't make a commitment
9,000 / class
13 Week Pass
117,000
Guarantees your spot every week for 13 week session
Pre-booking required
Best value for committed families who plan on coming consistently
No refunds or transfer
Pricing Packages for classes in Mamelles
(30 minutes)
Pricing Packages for classes in Mamelles
(30 minutes)
| Type | Drop in | Month (4) | 3 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi -Private (2) | 13,000 | 50,000 | 145,000 |
| Private | 20,000 | 70,000 | 205,000 |
Still have questions?
Contact Jessie
Want to schedule a class but don't see a class on the calendar? Reach out and specify the type of class you want (private, semi private, group), you or your child's age and level, and the days and times that you're available and I can see if we can create a class for you.
Contact Us
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please try again later.
Ready to get started?
Level Descriptions
This beginner level introduces babies to the water in a gentle, supportive way while strengthening the parent–child bond. The focus is on water acclimation, trust, and early comfort in the pool. Babies explore buoyancy and breath control through playful activities such as kicking and splashing, chasing toys in a supported float position, and simple floating exercises. Foundational skills like early gripping and breath control are developed within a consistent routine that promotes security and confidence. Once breath control is established, gentle submersions are also introduced.
5-10 Months
Starfish
This level focuses on building water comfort and confidence while introducing the foundations of baby swimming. Babies explore buoyancy, breath control, and early underwater skills, including submersions, free floats (when ready), and beginner turns. They practice floating between adults, retrieving objects, finding the wall, and developing independent gripping. Safety responses such as wall holds and word-action association are gently introduced. Activities are designed for little ones who are beginning to crawl or stand, supporting both comfort and early independence in the water.
10 - 16 Months
Seahorses
Like starfish and seahorses, this level focuses on building water comfort and confidence while introducing the foundations of baby swimming. Babies explore buoyancy, breath control, and early underwater skills, including submersions, free floats (when ready), and beginner turns. They practice floating between adults, retrieving objects, finding the wall, and developing independent gripping. Safety responses such as wall holds and word-action association are gently introduced. Activities are designed for babies who have not yet become comfortable putting their head underwater.
16 - 24 Months
Tadpoles
Pre requisite: Comfortable with submersions and have started free floats
Focus: This level focuses on building water confidence and independence. Key skills include extending to longer submersions, developing independent propulsion (kicking and paddling), turning to and swimming from the wall, longer floating, retrieving objects from shallow to deeper water. Children learn to hold onto the pool side without support, make progress toward rotating to and following parents underwater, and become more comfortable with breath control. They practice independent propulsion with some babies beginning to master unassisted swimming and underwater rotations. Overall, the aim is to foster confidence, safety, and basic aquatic skills.
12 - 30 Months
Frogs (Level 2)
For cautious or first-time swimmers
At this stage, toddlers are curious, independent, and full of personality! This level is designed for children who may feel unsure in the water or are just beginning their swim journey.
The goal is to nurture a love of the water while gently introducing boundaries, safety, and respect in a supportive and playful environment.
We focus on building comfort and trust through fun games, songs, and engaging activities that keep children happy and relaxed in the water. Swimmers practice key foundational skills such developing breath control and learning to put their faces in the water, body position and floating, climbing in and out of the pool, finding the wall, and kicking. Children are encouraged at their own pace to explore getting their face wet and moving in the water, always with support and reassurance as they build confidence.
2 - 3 years
Leapfrogs - Little Leapers
Pre requisite: Comfortable with submerging and not fearful of water.
Focus: For confident, water-exploring swimmers
At this stage, toddlers are still playful and curious, but ready for more independence. This level is for swimmers who are comfortable going underwater and ready to develop their swimming technique, skills and coordination.
We continue reinforcing essential safety skills such as climbing in and out of the pool and finding the wall, teaching boundaries, while progressing to independent floating and kicking, breath control, and underwater exploration. Once breath control and floating are established, the focus shifts to independent propulsion—helping children develop the ability to move confidently through the water while still under close adult supervision.
2-3 years
Leapfrogs - Big Leapers
Enroll your baby today!
Give your baby a safe and positive start through a proven program that works. Build trust, independence, and essential water skills while fostering a lifelong love of swimming. Sign up today to secure your spot.
Enroll your baby today!
Give your baby a safe and positive start through a proven program that works. Build trust, independence, and essential water skills while fostering a lifelong love of swimming. Sign up today to secure your spot.