Our values for training and teaching across 5 areas of teaching:

 

• Safe, simple and accessible
• High quality standards
• Carefully adapted and tested practices that can be easily integrated in the daily lives of pregnant women, of new mothers with their babies and of couples
• Compatibility with mainstream healthcare
• Constantly evolving content and methods to deliver best practice

 

Our training methods integrate:

• Theory and hands on practice
• Rigorous professional standards and friendly supportive style
• Scientific research evidence and practical interventions
• Information and proficiency, confidence and practical teaching skill

 

Our courses include:

• Comprehensive illustrated course manuals and practice worksheets with abundant resources
• Access to online training resources
• Residential options with additional course content
• Training with guest pregnant women and mothers with babies as much as possible besides practice with dolls
• Membership offers access to a vast network of trained teachers throughout the UK and worldwide
• The Guide to Birthlight offers a comprehensive introduction to new members

 

Our training qualifications reflect our standards and values:

• Birthlight is a Professional Association with an acclaimed international reputation
• Courses are accredited with organisations valued by employers in keeping with Birthlight Standards and Code of Ethics and Best Practice
• In rare instances when trainees do not meet the standards required for their practical assessments on courses, additional practice is arranged towards a further assessment at a later date

 

Baby Swimming Level 1 (3 Days)

 

This is a three day intensive course that covers the period 3 months to mobile babies (9-12 months variable).

 

This course imparts birthlight’s internationally acclaimed baby swimming practices: relaxed holds and relaxed floats, swimming with babies, gentle approaches to submersion and progressive unaided propulsion in a supportive and friendly atmosphere of water parenting. Bonding between parent and baby is enhanced and the relaxed flow of the practices enhances communication.
The course throws light on the opposition between enforced conditioning for the sake of life saving skills or submersion and gentler methods that free the innate potential of each child for swimming.

• A wide range of adaptations and resources are offered to cater for individual babies’ needs and potential from 3 months to mobile
• The birthlight practices facilitate babies’ transition from reflexes to voluntary movements and support overall sensory and emotional integration
• Underpinning knowledge of infant physiology and development is presented in an easily accessible and directly relevant way linked with practical  water sessions
• This course blends theory and practice: 2/3 hours pool tuition per day, with hands-on tutor input, is complemented by interactive debriefing and visual aids
• An enjoyable and relaxed teaching style
• Effective resources for creating lesson plans and setting up professional and enjoyable classes adapted to circumstances in different pools and communities
• Whenever possible, two of the sessions on this course involve practice with guest babies.

 

How is this course assessed?

This course is tutor assessed with a practical and a theory assessment during the course. Coursework consists of one case study (minimum of 4 sessions), one class observation and one mentor feedback. It should be submitted within six months following the course. The aim is to develop your teaching skills and gain confidence for the best delivery of your classes.
Once the above is submitted and successfully marked, you will receive a Birthlight Certificate in Baby Swimming Level 1 to teach to 3-months old to mobile babies.
The next step is the Diploma in Baby Swimming which will enhance your general teacher qualification and add more value to your personal journey. This is obtained after successful completion of Level 1 (including its associated coursework) and Level 2 with additional coursework (long question, worksheet and a Book / DVD review).

 

What qualification is gained on this course?

On successful completion of the course and coursework participants receive a Certificate of Baby Swimming Level 1 that entitles them to teach this age group (3 months to mobile babies).
Birthlight is the original training provider of Baby Swimming in the UK and around the world.

 

Baby Swimming Level 2 (2 Days)

 

This is a two-day intensive course, open to Level 1 Certified Birthlight Baby Swimming Teachers.
The special focus of this course is on mobile babies (9-18 months) and the dynamics of parent-baby pairs in baby swimming classes.

 

How is this course assessed?

This course is tutor assessed by means of a practical at the end of the course.

 

What qualification is gained on this course?

Nach erfolgreichem Abschluss erhalten die Teilnehmer die Qualifikation „Certified Baby Swimming Teacher“ (Level 2).

On successful completion of the Level 2 practical assessment and coursework, Level 1 certified teachers obtain the qualification of Certified Birthlight Teacher in Baby Swimming Level 2.
Teachers can go deeper in their knowledge and get a Birthlight Baby Swimming Diploma qualification by completing the additional coursework (long question, worksheet and a Book / DVD review).

 

Toddler swimming short course (2 days)

 

This birthlight short course fills the gap between parent and baby swimming and children's swimming instruction. During the transition to independent movement when toddlers' physical contact with their parents is often diminished, Birthlight Toddler Swimming supports loving and playful contact and provides a positive shared experience. Birthlight Toddler swimming classes are popular with fathers.

 

Who is this course for?

The course is open to:

• Birthlight baby swimming teachers (level 1 + 2)
• All qualified swimming teachers (including STA baby & pre-school holders)
• Applicants without swimming qualifications, particularly if they have experience with babies

Applicants should be able to swim 25 metres comfortably without the use of swimming aids and be confident in submerging themselves. A CPR qualification is also highly recommended. Life Saving skills are required for those planning to work in pools without a lifeguard on poolside.

Applicants who do not hold a Birthlight Baby Swimming Certification are required to complete a bridging module in order to enable them to gain sufficient background for the course.

Birthlight Baby swimming teachers can also use this module for CPD purposes.

 

Course outline:

Toddler swimming offers a structured base for parents to interact positively with their 2-4 year old children in water to facilitate their transition to independent swimming with confidence.

 

The aims of the course are:

• To equip Baby Swimming teachers with resources to a) effectively integrate toddlers new to water in aquatic classes and b) offer toddlers with experience of baby swimming classes skills and incentives to progress to fully independent swimming
• To establish best foundations for body balance and strokes, using birthlight techniques for teaching rotations and surfacing to breathe
• To impart life-saving skills through progressive techniques for jumping and turning back to raft or poolside
• To enhance physical wellbeing and stimulates communication between parents and their children in ways that nourish the spirit and strengthen family bonds. Songs and games based on years of teaching experience are used to facilitate effective skill integration in a playful and relaxed atmosphere.

 

How is this course assessed?

The Birthlight Toddler Swimming short course is assessed by means of a practical, followed by coursework including a case-study over four group sessions with a minimum of 3 parent/toddler pairs and a book/DVD review.
Coursework must be completed within six months following the course.

 

What qualification is gained on this course?

On successful completion of the course and coursework, candidates gain a Birthlight Certificate of Training in Birthlight Toddler Swimming that entitles them to teach aquatic classes for children aged 2-4 years with their parents or adult carers.

 

Special baby swimming short course (2 days)

 

This course has been developed by birthlight tutors to offer parents of special babies and toddlers the opportunity to enjoy being in water together in a relaxed and supportive environment, using water to stimulate their children’s development. Our method complements and extends established methods designed for helping adults with reduced mobility to enjoy greater freedom in water.

 

Who is this course for?

This short course is open to:

• Qualified swimming instructors working with babies and pre-school children.
• People working with special babies (Aqua physiotherapists, nurses, carers).

Applicants who do not hold a Birthlight Baby Swimming Certification are required to complete a bridging module to enable them to gain sufficient background knowledge for the course.

Birthlight teachers can use this course for CPD purposes.

 

Course outline:

This course is based on practical experience and its main objective is to impart practical skills for helping special babies and toddlers enjoy movement in water as freely as they possibly can.

Course participants are taught how to help parents to support and assist their babies and toddlers with buoyancy aids according to their conditions and to create a loving and relaxing atmosphere that makes water sessions pleasurable for parents and babies together.

Resources are imparted for both teaching 'special classes' and integrating individual special baby / parent pairs in general baby swimming classes.

 

How is this course assessed?

The course is tutor assessed with a practical session in the water and a short written assessment.
Coursework must be completed within six months following the course. Students are asked to complete a worksheet, a case study (group or one-to-one), a mentor review and a book/DVD review.

 

What qualification is gained on this course?

On successful completion of the course and worksheet, participants receive a Birthlight Certificate of Training in Special Baby Swimming that qualifies them to teach special babies and toddlers in water classes with their parents.

 

 

Tutor:

Dipl.Päd. Nicole Sauseng

Since 2014 Nicole delivers teacher training courses both in Austria and worldwide.

As one of 7 Birthlight tutors, she passes on the knowledge she has acquired in baby and toddler swimming over the last few years.

 

Course materials:

Are provided in the course

 

Course fee:

Babyswimming Level 1 (0-12 Monate) – 3 days: € 600,-
Babyswimming Level 2 (12-24 Monate) – 2 days: € 400,-
Toddler (2-5 Jahre) - 2 days: € 400,-
Special needs children – 2 days: € 400,-

 

Group rates:

For groups we offer a graduated pricing.

For the baby swimming coach training level 1+2:

1st participant: € 1000,-
2nd participant: € 900,-
3rd participant: € 800,-
From the 4th participant: € 700,-

This graduation is only valid if the invoice is sent to a billing address.

 

For the education of infants and special needs children respectively:

1st participant: € 400,-
2nd participant: € 380,-
3rd participant: € 360,-
From the 4th participant: € 350,-

This graduation is only valid if the invoice is sent to a billing address.

 

 

Birthlight - Membership:

After successful completion of the course, Birthlight membership is mandatory for all Birthlight students. It is included in the course fee for the first year and begins on the first day of the course.

 

Course program:

This will be sent by e-mail after receipt of the written registration and the deposit.

 

Course completion:

After successful participation in the training days, each participant receives a temporary certificate as a Birthlight baby or toddler swimming trainer. Afterwards the students go out and complete their course work. The final certificate will be sent after positive evaluation.

In order for this certificate to remain valid, further training must be demonstrated every two years.

 

Course dates:

Course dates are being planned.

 

Contact:

Mail: officeaqua-academyat

Phone: +43 660 34 11 753

Since Nicole is primarily concerned with the well-being of the children in the water, she may be difficult to reach by phone, but she will call back when she is dry again.
The preferred way to contact her is therefore by e-mail.