There was a sign up that said no photos unless prior permission given, however a lady started snapping away. We watched a lifeguard take her off to sign something so then Matt went over to find out if we could take photos aswell. He had to fill out a form, but then it was fine. I was really sad to think that we couldn't get snaps of her first swim! I understand where they are coming from and luckily they do have a 'prior permission' policy.
Mel - Ella is massive! She was only a dot when born (6lb 8.5oz) but is now over 15lb. It was an open session, they do Toddler sessions and lessons but this was just normal pool time. The learning pool which we were in was like bath water. I did take her into the normal pool but it felt a lot colder. I went with Matt, but would be happy now to go alone. They had big open changing rooms with large baby changing private cubicles with pull down change mats and a bench, so plenty of room to get baby changed etc. They also had a booth that cost £1 and dried you off pretty well - everything apart from my hair was bone dry so me and Ella popped in there first. The staff didn't mind her just being in her swim nappy, that's all it asked babies to be in. The nappies surprised me at how waterproof they were - you pull them on like pants and rip down the sides to take them off.
Ella is going to have lessons from September, we could have started next Tuesday but we have mother and baby group then. So until September I will carry on just taking her to the pool myself.