BrainWave Bubs & BrainWave Tots (6mths-3yrs)

Welcome to BrainWave Bubs & Tots.

Between 6 months and 3 years, your child’s brain is building the foundation for lifelong learning—developing language, motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and social connections at an incredible pace.

Water-based learning creates unique opportunities to support this critical development, challenging balance, coordination, and spatial awareness while providing a safe space for exploration and confidence-building.

In this program there are 5 Progressive Skill Levels:

BrainWave Bubs (6-12 mths):
- Beginner
BrainWave Tots (1-3 yrs):
- Beginner
- Confident
- Intermediate
- Advanced
For Curriculum Information and to work out what level you are CLICK HERE.

BrainWaves is an educational program that stimulates neural pathways through structured water experiences and sensory exploration. Supported by early childhood development and education principles, the program lays the building blocks for early brain development and swimming skills. The program improves:

Cognitive Development

Enhances cognitive function, sensory integration, and overall brain development. Developmentally appropriate activities encourage the brain to form new connections, strengthen existing ones, and support neuroplasticity, which is essential for learning, memory, and emotional regulation.
Develops cognitive processing through repetition and routine.
Enhances listening and language skills through songs and verbal cues.

Physical Development

Builds body awareness and coordination through guided movement patterns.
Strengthens core muscles and motor development through supported water play.
Strengthens vestibular system through supported floating and movement.
Improves sleep patterns through physical activity and sensory engagement.

Social & Emotional Growth

Develops social skills through parent-child bonding and peer interaction.
Boosts confidence through positive early water experiences.
Creates positive associations with water for lifelong swimming confidence.

Swimming & Water Safety Skills

Builds water confidence and skills through progressive activities, including floating, buoyancy, balance, proper body positioning, leg and arm propulsion movement, entries and exits.
Guides parents in appropriate holds and support point techniques for water safety and confidence.
Develops swimming competencies that later transition into the Pre-school curriculum (3-5yrs).

Did you know? Every baby is born with amazing natural talents – including a remarkable affinity for water! Children who participate in BrainWaves develop strong physical foundations, enhanced coordination, and improved motor abilities. The activities are structured with developmental progressions and milestones that are challenging and then achievable and encourage building social and emotional confidence. Regular exposure to aquatic environments helps integrate swimming naturally into their movement patterns, creating a lifelong foundation for water confidence and enjoyment.

BrainWave Bubs & Tots Welcome Information:

Enrolling in your first class!

Look up the timetable:

Online – Look up the timetable and book online via your client portal.
- Log-in to your client portal. Instructions can be found here https://www.healthways.com.au/boxhill/swimming-pool/swimming-lessons/book-now/
- To work out what class level sounds like your ability level, please click here to go to the level skill descriptions https://aus.iclasspro.com/portal/healthways/news/1.
- Click on ‘Class Timetables & Bookings’.
- Click on ‘Find a class’. Select your student and click ‘See Classes’.
- Search the timetable for your student’s level, by putting their level code in the search magnifying glass.
- The class availability showing will automatically be for this week. To look forward to next week, click on the ‘Filter’ menu icon. Select ‘Sessions’, select the following week, click ‘Apply’.
- The list can be further filtered using other option in the ‘Filter’ menu if you wish.
- Click on a class to enrol or go on the waitlist.
By Phone:
- Mont Albert North ph. 98952300
- Ringwood ph. 98795777
In person – Visit the centre and speak to reception:
- MONT ALBERT NTH – Healthways Recreation Centre, 1-11 Arcade Road, Mont Albert North 3129
- RINGWOOD – Healthways Aquatic Centre, 108-110 New Street, Ringwood 3134

Please note that students can start at any time. Bookings can be made at any time during the term up to 10 days in advance, and bookings open for a new term 3 weeks in advance. However if you wish to start further in advance than that you can register your interest for a specific term in the future using the buttons below.

COME AND TRY OUR SWIM LESSONS NOW!…

SWIM STARTER PACK FOR $150.00. (Available for regular term classes only.)

To see whether our swim school is right for you, when you first enrol you’ll just pay a deposit of $150.00. This is called the ‘Swim Starter’. This covers your classes until the first monthly direct debit, so you can try the classes out. If you’re happy simply stay on and your first direct debit will happen as scheduled. If you don’t wish to continue, simply cancel your classes before your first direct debit. Easy!

What to Bring:

A parent/carer needs to be in the pool assisting your child. (To ensure a smooth experience, we kindly ask that only one adult per child come in the water at a time. If you have multiple adults who want to be involved, feel free to alternate each session so everyone has a turn one-at-a-time. Thank you.)

For the child:
- A swim nappy for your child is essential (reusable or disposable). Swim nappies are specially designed for water activities, with secure elastic fits to contain solids while allowing water to pass through. We encourage as many people as possible to have a reusable swim nappy to reduce waste and be handed down child to child. To encourage this, we offer reusable nappies in the swim-shop at a SALE price every day! Available in pink or blue & 6 different sizes.
- Toilet-trained children over 3yrs old: If your child is toilet trained, they can wear regular swimmers or bathers instead of a swim nappy.
- Towel
- Swim bag for wet clothes
- (Bathers are optional, and for babies generally not needed. The sensory experience is enhanced when babies swim bare-chested and can feel the water and their parent’s touch on their bodies. Where babies particularly feel the cold, neoprene baby wraps are available for purchase from the swim-shop. As children move through their toddler years parents can choose when they start wearing bathers.)
For the assisting adult:
- Bathers
- Towel

What happens in the sessions?

During BrainWave Bubs & Tots sessions, the pool is set up with a large variety of toys and teaching aids to engage children and support their mental and physical development. There is a teacher in the water to guide you through age-appropriate skills and activities. As your child progresses through the levels—from Beginner to Advanced—they’ll develop greater independence and confidence in the water.

Adults assist their children in the water, using nursery rhymes, songs, and play-based learning to build water confidence and essential swimming skills. Through progressive activities including floating, buoyancy, balance, body positioning, and propulsion movements, children develop competencies that later transition into the Pre-school curriculum (3-5 years). The time while children are young is a wonderful opportunity to help them feel relaxed, comfortable, and confident in the water.

When are BrainWave Bubs & Tots classes?

BrainWave Bubs & Tots classes are available 7 days per week at both our Mont Albert North and Ringwood locations. Current times can be viewed through your iClassPro Parent Portal. Lessons run for 30mins.

If existing class times don’t suit your schedule, in your iClassPro parent portal you’ll see the place to register your interest for other days/times. We regularly review scheduling requests and aim to accommodate additional classes where possible.

How much does it cost?

Students can start at any time and cancel at any time. Payments are made 4 lessons at a time, such that in the middle of the month accounts are invoiced for the next month’s 4 lesson block. CLICK HERE for current prices.

What happens if you miss a class?

We know that life happens sometimes so we offer flexible make-up class and family swim options to provide the best service possible for our clients. CLICK HERE for information on what happens if you miss a class.

What happens with skill assessments?

At Healthways, our goal is to ensure that every individual progresses at their own pace and achieves their full potential in the water. Students are assessed by their teacher every 4-6weeks. Students will be recommended to move up a level as soon as they are showing confidence and competence with their skills. There are extra supports available for students with additional needs. CLICK HERE to read more about what happens with student assessments and supports for students with additional needs.

What happens after your child turns 3?:

Most children transition to the Pre-School program somewhere between 3 and 3.5yrs old, but it can be delayed past 3.5yrs as needed. Being ready to transition to the Pre-School program is not based on what a child’s ability is (as there is an appropriate level in the Pre-School program for all abilities); it is based on their readiness to move into a different developmentally appropriate class structure. The biggest of which are being in a class without an assisting adult, being able to follow instructions independently, and displaying comfort and confidence.

Around your child’s 3rd birthday parents are emailed information packs about transitioning from the BrainWave Program to the Pre-School Program. Parents can choose when they’d like their child to transition, according to their child’s readiness. To find out more about our Pre-School program CLICK HERE.

Tell a Friend:

Kids activities can be even more fun with friends! If you know other parents with bubs & tots, invite them to join you in a BrainWave Program. Sharing this experience can be a great way to connect with other families while giving your baby a fantastic start.

Share the link https://www.healthways.com.au/boxhill/swimming-pool/swimming-lessons/brainwave-bubs-and-tots/

Do your other children need childcare? (Available at Mont Albert North Only)

Our onsite creche at Mont Albert North offers professional early childhood education for your children while you attend swimming lessons with your other child. Available Mon-Fri mornings. Please CLICK HERE to find out more.

Other FAQ’s:

What are the swimming capabilities needed for the person who gets in the pool with my child?

Water confidence is essential for your child’s safety in our classes. All parents/guardians must be at least 16 years old and comfortable moving in chest-deep water while supporting their child. This ensures both you and your little one can focus on learning and bonding during the sessions.

*We also offer adult swimming classes. These classes provide adults with the opportunity to gain confidence in the water, learn how to swim or improve technique in a personal and friendly environment. Adults can progress at their own pace, while gaining the additional health and fitness benefits of being in the water. CLICK HERE for information about Adult lessons.

Is the salt water pool’s temperature warm and of comfortable depth?

All our pools are salt-water pools, heated to 32C degrees and ranging from 1.1m-1.2m in depth; creating an ideal teaching environment for parents and instructors.

We use a salt water system which works by converting regular salt into a gentle sanitiser – giving you all the benefits of a clean pool while being softer on sensitive skin, eyes, and swimwear. Many parents notice their babies are more comfortable in salt-water pools compared to traditional chlorine pools.

For more information about how salt water pools work, please CLICK HERE.

What if my child has sensitive skin/eczema?

Our salt-water pools are gentle on sensitive skin! Unlike traditional chlorine pools, salt-water swimming offers several benefits for those with skin concerns:

The water is naturally softer and less irritating
Salt can actually help soothe and heal eczema patches
Lower chemical content means less skin and eye irritation

To best protect sensitive skin before and after swimming:

Apply a waterproof barrier cream 30 minutes before swimming
Rinse off in fresh water immediately after your session
Apply a good quality moisturiser while skin is still damp
Consider using a vitamin C spray to neutralise any remaining pool chemicals.

Can I stay in the pool after the session to keep swimming?

For both scheduling and your baby’s wellbeing, we require all participants to exit the pool after their session. Our 30-minute classes are specifically timed to match babies’ optimal energy levels – swimming for longer can lead to overtiredness. Swimming lessons begin immediately after your class, making it important to exit promptly.

What can I do with my pram?

Prams are able to be parked on pool deck. To maintain safe pathways around the pool, just simply park them against a wall.

For any other enquiries, please feel free to speak to our friendly customer service team by phone, email, or in person.

You can look up the timetable, enquire or book:

About Us:

Our mission is to deliver exceptional swimming programs that empower students with lifelong learning and water safety skills in a positive, structured, and inclusive environment. At both our Ringwood and Mont Albert North locations, we partner with families to make swimming safe, fun, and easy to manage — supporting confident learners at every stage.

Our swimming programs are aligned with the national curriculum and taught by accredited, experienced instructors. We proudly provide all our staff with industry-leading teacher training and professional development opportunities.

Renowned for best practice teaching methods and industry-leading small class sizes, Healthways is proud to support our local community and families.