5, once they had settled in to school and also I could explain to them the importance of swimming and also talk them through any worries.

My youngest (T21) always had many ear problems and couldn’t start till she was nearly 6. Now after half a year swimming lessons she just tolerates now to get her head a bit under the water, but initially she was very scared.
I would say the earlier the better !

my first I started at 5 months, the second hasn’t been yet!! he is 22 months but is very condifent in the pool

Get them used to water from about 6 months of age. They don’t need to have a formal paid for lesson, just play with them, hold them, get them used to the splashing etc. and make it fun, communicate it is “safe” and you are not “afraid”. Toddlers might enjoy jumping with you and holding hands, etc. Most swimming pools have plenty of classes targeted from 6 months up (just watch them to see what they do), but I think children get the most of formal instruction from about 4 or 5 years (so long as they’ve been used to water before that) when they can better comprehend.

when ever they feel comfortable in the water. I would recommend going to classes when they are able to learn to swim safely and correctly.

It depends, if you have access to a pool I’d do it as soon as possible and as often as you can. If not they can have water experience each time you go to the beach or every summer at the pools. My kids were a bit over 2 years before they started lessons.

whenever you like. they gain more confidence and so do you, if the kids can swim

Started in the pool at 6 months- just for fun, build confidence in the water etc

both my kids started at 6 months old but my daughter hated it so we pulled her out of the class til she was 18mths and now she loves it.

We started when my daughter was 8 months. Water safety is very important early. The later kids start, often they are more fearful

Early – but we have water kids. Such an incredible and important skill to learn.

My daughter starting having swimming lesson at around 3 years old, but I wish I’d started earlier.

As early as possible as they are taught to be water safe, not just how to swim which is never ever too early to learn

We started lessons with our daughter at around 18 months. When she hit about 2 and a half she got too independent to want to do the lessons anymore, so we just let her swim as she pleased. We’re looking at starting lessons again soon as she is a bit older and should be able to float by herself.