Chesterfield Borough Council

Leisure Services

Swimming Pool

Child Admission Policy for Unprogrammed Swimming

1.       BACKGROUND

The institute of Sport and Recreation Management has recently and revised the admission policy for children using the swimming pools.

The purpose of a Child Admission Policy is to help safeguard children who historically are most at risk of drowning in swimming pools.  It is not intended to prevent children from having fun and enjoying the exercise and socializing aspects of swimming and its benefits in health terms.  Nor is it intended to make life difficult for parents / carers.  By following the guidelines herein we believe that, with the help of parents / carers we can provide the opportunities for children to learn to swim, develop swimming skill, and have fun in the safest possible environment. 

2.       THE POLICY

Chesterfield Borough Council strongly recommends that all juniors should be accompanied by a responsible person when attending the swimming pools.  A responsible person, aged at least 16 years MUST accompany all children under the age of 8 years.  They must go into the water with the children they are accompanying.  Whilst in the pool the responsible person should maintain a constant watch over the children and be in close contact with those of their own children who are weak or non-swimmers.  The responsible person may be responsible for;

                (i)  Two children under the age of 8

(2.3)      All non swimmers must be restricted to designated safe areas of the pool.

(2.4)      Non swimmers and weak swimmers must not go out of their depth with the exception of the very young who by virtue of their size are out of their depth in even the shallowest area of the pool

(2.5)      A non swimmer or weak swimmer is defined as someone who is unable to achieve the following standards to satisfaction of pool staff.

(i)              jump from the pool side into water 1.5m or more

(ii)             tread water for 1 minute; and finally

(iii)            swim 50m in a recognisable attempt of a stroke in under 2 minutes

3.       CHILDRENS USE OF THE CHANGING ROOMS

Responsible persons accompanying children under 8 years old to the swimming pools will be able to take them into an ‘opposite sex’ changing room if there is no other responsible person with them to take them into a ‘same sex’ changing room.  This is because it is reasonable to assume that a child too young to swim accompanied is too young to fend for him or herself in a changing room.

4.       SUITABLE SWIMWEAR

Parents / carers should ensure that plastic leak proof over pants are worn by all children still in nappies which can be purchased at reception if required. 

Please do not hesitate to speak to the Duty Officers regarding any issues within this policy.

All swimmers should wear acceptable swimwear.  Cut off jeans, baggy shorts beyond knee length or transparent costumes are not permitted.  Tee shirts may only be worn for medical reasons

5.       CLEANLINESS

All bathers should shower and use the toilet prior to entering the pool.  This includes babies / children as well as adults.

RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHEN NOT TO SWIM

• Children under the age of six months may find the temperature and chemicals in pools unwelcome because of their sensitive skin.
• After a meal as swimming on a full stomach can cause cramps.
• People should not bathe if they have open wounds, severe eczema or any other infectious skin complaints.
• Colds, flu and other infectious illnesses are sufficient reasons not to swim, so is diarrhoea within the previous two weeks.
• Ideally, people with head lice, athlete’s foot or verrucas should not go to public pools.
• People whose illness or treatment makes them susceptible to infection, or affected badly by it, should take medical advice before swimming
• People should not swim if they are affected by drink or drugs