Our Difference
We Believe Calm Children Learn Better and Stay Safer.
Aquatots is not a recreational swim school. It is a child water-safety education provider dedicated to building safe, confident children through gentle, evidence-based water education.
Founded in 2002 by Alena Sarri, Aquatots has been a trusted part of Canberra's community for over 20 years, earning recognition at state and national levels for community service, workplace culture, and water safety leadership.
Confidence is the First Safety Skill
In an industry often focused on speed and physical milestones, we take a different approach. We believe that a child's emotional readiness is the foundation for all learning. When a child feels safe, supported, and understood, they develop a natural confidence and respect for the water. This is why our programs are designed around developmental pacing, not arbitrary timelines.
We don't just teach children how to swim; we teach them how to be calm, confident, and capable in any aquatic environment. This philosophy is at the heart of everything we do, from our gentle assessment process to our extended instructor training and our commitment to transparent communication with parents.
What Makes Aquatots the Safer Choice?
1. We embed safety in every lesson.
Many swim schools teach survival skills once per term in isolated 'safety weeks.' At Aquatots, safety and survival skills are a core part of every lesson. This consistency helps children develop instinctive safety responses, not just memorised tricks.
2. We assess emotional readiness, not just physical skill.
We understand that children learn at different paces. Our instructors are trained to recognise and respond to each child's emotional state, ensuring they are never rushed or overwhelmed. We prioritise your child's long-term confidence over short-term milestones.
3. Our programs are informed by evidence, not just tradition.
We have produced original research into drowning prevention and actively participate in national water safety conversations. This commitment to evidence-based practice ensures our programs are aligned with the latest understanding of child development and water safety.
4. We're accountable to the same community for decades.
Many of our instructors learned to swim with us as children. Former students return as parents. We operate in a single local market with multi-generational enrolment. This means we can't rebrand away from mistakes—our reputation is built on decades of accountability to the families we serve.
Designed for Comfort, Safety, and Consistency
Your family deserves pristine conditions for learning. Our facilities feature private pools maintained at comfortable temperatures (32°C) and used exclusively for our lessons during class times. This focused environment removes distractions and creates a safe space where children can concentrate on building vital water safety skills.
What Makes Our Environment Special:
Private, Warm Pools
Our pools are maintained at 32°C and are private during lesson times, creating a calm, distraction-free environment where children can focus and feel comfortable.
Advanced UV Filtration
Our advanced UV filtration system and careful water quality management create the cleanest and gentlest learning environment possible, ideal for sensitive skin.
Consistent Instructors
Your child's progress matters deeply to us. Our team of dedicated, qualified instructors provide consistency in teaching style and approach, building trust and confidence over time.
Rollover Booking System
With our rollover booking system, Aquatots keeps your child's progression active during every holiday, so their skills stay sharp and their confidence keeps growing all year.
We Believe in Transparency About Our Approach
To help you decide if Aquatots is the right fit for your family, here's what we don't do:
We don't promise outcomes or timelines.
Every child develops differently. We prioritise emotional readiness and long-term confidence over short-term milestones.
We don't use pressure-based enrolment tactics.
You'll never feel rushed or pressured to enrol. We give you all the information upfront and respect your time to decide.
We don't rush progression.
Our instructors make conservative, child-specific decisions. If your child needs more time at a level, we'll explain why and support them patiently.
We don't isolate safety to 'safety weeks.'
Safety and survival skills are embedded in every lesson, not taught once per term and forgotten.
If you're looking for a swim school that prioritises speed over safety, or guarantees outcomes, Aquatots may not be the right fit. But if you value professional judgement, transparent communication, and long-term confidence, we'd love to support your family.
A proud moment for the Sarri family and the Aquatots community at the ASSA Awards of Excellence.
Recognised for Accountability and Community Service
Our commitment to quality, safety, and community has been recognised by our peers and industry bodies. These awards reflect external scrutiny and the trust of our families.
- ACT Gold Award Winner: Community Service
- ACT Gold Award Winner: Employer of Choice
- ACT Gold Award Winner: Water Safety
- National Finalist: Community Service
- National Finalist: Employer of Choice
- National Finalist: Water Safety
- State Highly Commended: Swim School of the Year (Over 1000 Lessons)
Working to Create a Drowning-Free Nation
Our mission goes beyond teaching lessons. We are committed to understanding and addressing the root causes of drowning in Australia. In partnership with national experts, we produced the Swim Safety and Access Gap Index (SSAGI), Australia's only national metric combining drowning risk, lesson access, and demand.
The 2025 SSAGI Report revealed critical findings:
- 357 drowning deaths (a 20-year high)
- 39% increase since 2017-18
- 'Unknown causes' now equals swimming as the top drowning category
This research has informed national water safety advocacy and driven conversations about how we can better protect our children. We believe that by sharing our knowledge and advocating for change, we can contribute to a future where every child is safe in and around water.
Join a Community Trusted for Over 20 Years
Choosing a swim school is a decision about your child's safety and confidence. We invite you to learn more about our approach, meet our team, and discover why thousands of Canberra families have trusted Aquatots for over two decades.
