Splash! Nursery in Waterville will follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, but 90 per cent of the day will be spent in a specially built pool, with activities covering all areas of learning.
The youngest ‘water babies’ will be encouraged to swim underwater using their natural reflexes. Older children will have access to a range of water slides and floats, and rubber ducks will be used for counting activities. The nursery has purchased several waterproof cameras to support early years ICT.
Nutritious food, with many main courses using fish, will be provided on floating trays.
Children will leave the water for a time if their skin becomes too wrinkled.
The staff team all have lifeguard qualifications as well as early years diplomas at level 3 or above. They will wear matching swimming costumes as a uniform.
Owner Avril Bluff said that demand for places at Splash! had been huge, with parents recognising the health benefits of children learning to swim early in life and being engaged in water-based exercise for much of the time. The nursery already has a waiting list, and is considering opening a second setting in the Olympic Park in London if it can win planning permission.
Ms Bluff said that she had been inspired by Dr Francoise Freedman, well-known for her work in infant aquatics, based on her experiences living with families in the Upper Amazon.
Ofsted said that the nursery met all EYFS Welfare requirements, and that it had several inspectors prepared to take to the water to evaluate the setting.
(In case you didn't realise, this story was an April Fool!)