The swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) has teamed up with educational charity Birthlight to raise infant swimming teaching standards through the launch of a new Level 3 Diploma in Aquatic Teaching – Baby and Pre-School.

Launching later this year, the Level 3 Diploma will be accessible to all baby and pre-school swimming teachers who want to further their knowledge and take their lessons to a higher level.

The qualification, which has been accredited by STA in partnership with Birthlight, has been developed by a working group consisting of several top UK baby swimming experts to ensure it is academically and technically sound, addresses the needs of the market and follows best practice guidelines.

“With Birthlight, we’ve created the Level 3 Diploma in response to requests from our members who feel passionately about furthering their knowledge,” said Kayle Burgham, technical manager for aquatics at STA.

“Francoise Freedman, the founder of Birthlight, is considered one of the world’s leading experts on baby swimming, and using their unique holistic approach we have together combined our knowledge and all our experiences to create a first-class Diploma for baby swimming teachers.”

The four-day course will cover advanced technical knowledge on baby and toddler development; adult and child interactions and communication; and sensory development and awareness.

Kayle added: “Using the latest in child development and scientific research, the STA accredited course will also look at the reason why we do what we do as baby and pre-school swimming teachers and how we can use this knowledge to improve our lessons and support adults in the way they connect with their children within the aquatic environment.”

Kayle will also be speaking with Birthlight founder Francoise Freedman in more detail about the Diploma at STA’s National Conference on 1 October 2016.