Inspiring ideas and little ones learning to swim!

A women-led team of swimming instructors – the strength of Mali Nurkowie

You have a large team consisting mainly of women. How do you manage staffing challenges, where do you recruit, and what criteria must instructors meet for this type of work?

Yes, that’s true. A good observation. [smile] Many times I tried to establish cooperation with men, but so far, working with women has been really successful for me. Of course, our most common “challenge” is pregnancies and maternity leaves. [smile] I say this jokingly, being a mother of two daughters myself.

I believe our all-female team is cohesive and plays a huge role in building and developing the school. We support each other, understand each other’s challenges, and move forward together. Maybe one day the time will come for the first “uncle” in the school, but for now, the team of “aunties” works perfectly.

In the beginning, recruitment was very friendly and informal. The first instructors were my university friends, but over time I had to start looking further. The girls enjoy working at the school and usually recommend their friends, university colleagues, or other instructors. We look for people who feel confident in the water.

Our staff includes swimming instructors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, as well as people from science-related fields who have a swimming background. Each instructor — regardless of her background, experience, and completed courses — receives additional training from me. We participate in workshops and training together to continuously improve our skills, knowledge, and professional practice.

What matters most to me is that the instructors feel comfortable around infants, young children, and their parents. I always strive to make our cooperation long-term. Many of our instructors have been with us since the school was founded.

What conditions should a pool for infant swimming lessons meet?

Working with infants in a swimming pool requires specific conditions… What kind of conditions? And how do you ensure the needs of mothers and their little ones are met?

Yes, that’s true. I have been running the school since 2016, and during that time our locations have changed significantly. We noticed that facilities differ greatly in the level of comfort they offer to our little swimmers. We moved away from large swimming pools in Kraków and the surrounding area. We reduced the number of pools we work with, choosing more intimate spaces with water suitable for infants.

The water must meet specific parameters. A higher temperature, around 31.5–32.5°C, lower chlorine levels between 0.3–0.4 mg/l, and UV lamps installed in the pool are an additional advantage. There are many other parameters as well. Water testing in pools used by infants must be carried out by external companies once a week, and the pool manager must check water quality about three times a day. The results must be sent to the sanitary authorities. Changing tables in the locker rooms and chairs for seated children are also essential — but that is now a general standard in schools offering classes for infants and young children.

Our pool stands out with a high level of comfort, thanks to the very warm, family-friendly atmosphere. The pool staff knows everyone who walks in; clients feel very comfortable with us. When children come with their parents, they have a play corner where they can have fun before and after classes, while moms and dads enjoy a coffee and build new connections with other parents.

Intimate pools and a friendly atmosphere – the secret to a successful swimming school

You created your own facility — a swimming pool. This is a dream for many instructors. How did this idea come about, and how was it brought to life?

Yes, our pool celebrated its 4th birthday this March. [smile] It was my crazy idea! My biggest inspiration in this field was undoubtedly Eva Kiedronova, whose courses I attended several times. Eva owns several pools in the Czech Republic. She created incredible places that became my inspiration and showed me the goal. I wanted a similar place to be created in Kraków — a space built on our terms, with complete care for our infants, toddlers, and their parents. From pregnancy through to the moment their little ones can swim independently.

We achieved this thanks to the work of the entire team.

Why is it worth taking an infant to the pool?

Why, in your opinion, is it worth bringing an infant to the pool? What benefits will it bring in the future for both the mother and the child?

Because it’s the best thing you can give your child at the start! As parents, we spend the most time with our little ones from the moment they’re born until they start school. A child who feels comfortable in the water is an invaluable source of ease. Family holidays where you don’t need to put on floaties, armbands, or vests — because you know your child feels free and confident in the water — are priceless.

The development of infants who attend swimming lessons from the first months of life is incredible. Their immune, circulatory, and muscular systems strengthen; they develop deep sensory awareness and sensory integration. Many studies show that children who attend classes from infancy learn to ride a bike earlier, have better fine and gross motor skills, and learn faster.

In our classes, we work with asymmetries and increased/decreased muscle tension in infants’ bodies. Babies also socialize from the very first months of life, and swimming together creates an amazing closeness — the parent is 100% focused on their child, which nowadays can truly be called a luxury. [smile]

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