Preschool Aquatics (3 years - 5 years)

reschool Aquatics aims to promote the developmentally appropriate learning of fundamental water safety and aquatic skills by young children. Red Cross Preschool Aquatics teaches aquatic and safety skills in a logical progression through three levels of courses.

To determine the appropriate level for your child, use the checklists under each level.  Your child should be able to CONSISTENTLY demonstrate the skills listed and be COMFORTABLE doing so.  If you do not check ALL the skills under a level, please register your child for that level.  If you checked ALL the skills, please continue to the next level.  Swimmers may be moved to a different level as deemed necessary by the swim instructor staff.


LEVEL 1 is designed to orient young preschoolers to the aquatic environment to help them gain basic aquatic skills.  In addition, participants start learning about how to be safe around water.

Skills can be performed with support:

✔   Swimmer can willingly enter the water independently using a ramp, steps, or side and walk at least 5 yards where they can touch.

✔ Swimmer can submerge their mouth and nose and blow bubbles for at least 3 seconds.

✔ Swimmer can exit the water safely.

✔  Swimmer can comfortably glide on their front with support.

✔ Swimmer can comfortably float on their back with support.


LEVEL 2 builds on the basic aquatic skills and water safety skills and concepts from Level 1.  Participants begin to perform skills at a slightly more advanced level and begin gaining rudimentary propulsive skills on both the front and the back.  This level marks the beginning of independent aquatic locomotion skills.

Skills can be performed with some assistance

✔Swimmer can glide on their front for at least 2 body lengths.

✔Swimmer can roll onto their back and float for at least 15 seconds and stand up.

✔Swimmer can glide on their back for at least 2 body lengths.

✔Swimmer can roll to their front and stand up.

✔Swimmer can swim using their arms and legs for at least 3 body lengths.

✔Swimmer can roll to their back, float for 15 seconds, roll to their front and keep swimming for 3 body lengths 


LEVEL 3 continues to build on the skills learned in the previous two levels.  Participants can perform basic aquatic skills with greater proficiency, for longer distances and times.  In addition, previously acquired water safety knowledge and skills are reinforced and expanded upon.

Preschool Level 3 Swimming and Water Safety News

All skills must be performed independently to pass Preschool Level 3

✔ Swimmer can step into chest-deep water from the side of the pool.

✔ Swimmer can push off the bottom and tread or float for 15 seconds, swim on their front and/or back for 5 body lengths then exit the water.

✔ Swimmer can float on their back for 15 seconds, roll to their front and stand up.

✔ Swimmer can push off and swim using their arms and legs for 5 body lengths.

✔ Swimmer can roll to their back, float for 15 seconds, roll to their front and continue swimming for 5 body lengths.

✔ Swimmers that pass Preschool Level 3 are ready to register for Learn to Swim Level 3.


If you are still struggling to determine your child’s appropriate swim lesson level, don’t panic! 

We offer free placement assessments for swimmers that are new to our program.  This swim skill evaluation takes approximately 10-15 minutes and can help you determine what level is right for your child.  

Please contact the Front Desk at 815-886-6296 to schedule your child's swim level placement assessment!