A PUTFORD swimming teacher is helping children take to the water at a young age, by setting up a swimming club for babies at Woodford Bridge Country Club in Milton Damerel.

The Baby Swim Foundation, a free resource network, will be launched nationwide in London later this month. Fronted by British Swim star Karen Pickering, an international swimmer for more than 20 years during which time she has won an incredible 73 titles and was 4 times world champion.

This is the first network of its kind, designed to bring everyone together, whether health visitors, parents, schools, nursery, toddler groups or swim teachers. The Baby Swim Foundation has been developed for anyone wanting to know about baby swimming.

Swimming teacher, Gemma Gerry has been instrumental in the development of the unique Baby Swim Foundation Teaching Programme and is one of the first licensed teachers in this country teaching for BeBe Swimming at Woodford Bridge Country Club, Milton Damerel.

The Baby Swim Foundation teaches a foundation of swimming skills to infants focusing on correct body positioning in the water with the aim of ­getting them to swim unaided as soon as they are physically ready. The ­programme has been specifically designed for 0-3 year olds to enable them to develop all the basic skills and reflexes that the body naturally has, whilst working towards actual swimming.

All classes are taught with an emphasis on fun, which includes plenty of songs, games and toys to ensure that children and parents/grandparent enjoy the experience.

Gemma told the 'Post': "With one in five children leaving primary school unable to swim and drowning being the third most common cause of accidental death among young people under the age of 16, claiming about 50 lives each year, I feel it is of utmost importance to get young people swimming and enjoying the water as early as possible.

"The Baby Swim Foundation provides invaluable information, and the opportunity to share experiences, whilst helping equip young children with the skills they need to become proficient in the water from an early age and ensuring that they enjoy the experience."

Babies can start to swim from birth although its recommended from the age of six weeks as they struggle to maintain their body temperature prior to this. These children will follow the Baby Swim Foundation, which will help them develop the skills that enable confidence and safety in the water, plus act as a foundation for learning to swim.

The Baby Swim Foundation Programme gives structure to the adult and child lessons, the awards motivates the parents and as the child gets older that motivation moves to them, the programme teaches a variety of elements, so that the child is kept activated and stimulated, with a good range of activities. The four levels complement each other so the child Is building on the skills learned earlier in the programme.

Gemma added: "I grew up at Shebbear, so I feel privileged to be able to teach the Baby Swim Foundation to local children, in rural areas, and to be one of the first teachers in the country to teach this scheme, and to be able to bring it to the community is fantastic."