EveryKid Paediatric
Hydrotherapy in
Merrylands.
Supporting your baby, toddler, child or teenager to build strength, movement and confidence through hydrotherapy for kids.
Discover therapeutic joy of water in Paediatric Hydrotherapy
Our warm water aquatic sessions in the accessible aquatic therapy pool at Holroyd Public School provide a nurturing environment for children to build strength, coordination and confidence.
An extension of our paediatric physiotherapy service, these sessions are run with expert guidance from our caring physiotherapists. Hydrotherapy for kids is a fun and effective way to address a range of developmental challenges including low tone, weak core, arm and leg muscles, tightness and ease pain.
Experience a supportive setting for your child to work on movement and strength goals.
Check out our FAQs below for more details on our specific hydrotherapy for kids program.
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Suitability:
Children with musculoskeletal, neurological or developmental conditions that benefit from water-based therapy are suitable candidates
An initial consultation will be conducted poolside including an individualised assessment and goal setting with our physiotherapists
Hydrotherapy can be designed to be safe, enjoyable and therapeutic with the following considerations:
Medical clearance:
If there is a medical condition that could impact water therapy such as epilepsy, respiratory issues or cardiac conditions
Skin infections, open wounds or communicable diseases should be excluded until cleared by medical professional
Swallowing & Breathing Safety:
Children with a history of aspiration or respiratory issues should have specific care plans in place
Notify the therapist if your child has challenges controlling swallowing
Supervision:
Adequate adult to child ratio, ideally 1:1 for children with complex needs
Call our admin team to support you on 0404 939 490 before booking if you have any concerns for the above. We will determine a support plan that safely facilitates participation.
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Thursdays 3:30pm - 5:30pm, 30 min sessions
Let us know if this day or time doesn’t work for you. We are always seeing where we can accommodate for families.
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EveryKid runs hydrotherapy at the aquatic pool at Holroyd School; Willara Avenue, Merrylands
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$145.50 plus $32 travel fee (all charges can be claimed through the NDIS)
We also accept private health and EPC subsidies where eligible.
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We accept where eligible:
NDIS
private health
EPC
Charity grants such as Variety
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The aquatic pool Holyroyd Public School is fully accessible and offers:
Easy entry & exit options: pool hoist, ramps and rails
Temperature regulation: therapeutic temperature of 34°C, which is comfortably used throughout all seasons
Private, accessible facilities: change rooms, toilets & accessible showers
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Hydrotherapy can be highly beneficial for the pediatric population, especially for children with physical, developmental, or neurological challenges. Here are some key benefits:
1. Enhanced Mobility and Flexibility: The buoyancy of water reduces weight-bearing on joints and muscles, making it easier for children to move with less resistance. This can be particularly helpful for children with conditions that limit mobility or cause pain during movement, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
2. Strengthening Muscles: Water provides resistance, which helps strengthen muscles without the added risk of impact-related injuries. For children with weak or underdeveloped muscles, hydrotherapy allows a safe environment for gradual strength building.
3. Improved Balance and Coordination: The dynamic environment of water helps children improve balance and coordination, as they need to stabilize themselves against the resistance and movement of the water.
4. Pain Relief: Warm water in hydrotherapy pools can reduce pain and muscle spasms, which is beneficial for children with chronic pain or spasticity. The warmth also increases blood flow, which aids in muscle relaxation and recovery.
5. Sensory Integration: For children with sensory processing disorders or autism, the sensory-rich environment of a pool can be therapeutic. The pressure, temperature, and sound of water can provide calming effects or stimulate engagement in a controlled manner.
6. Encouraging Social Interaction: Group hydrotherapy sessions provide opportunities for socialization, especially valuable for children with social or developmental challenges. It can foster a sense of community and improve communication skills.
7. Boosting Confidence and Emotional Well-being: Hydrotherapy can be fun and engaging, building confidence in children as they achieve movement and coordination goals. The supportive environment also promotes self-esteem and emotional well-being.
8. Cardiovascular Benefits: Low-impact cardiovascular exercise in water can improve endurance and heart health in children, even for those with limited physical abilities on land.
Hydrotherapy sessions should be designed to meet the unique needs of each child, especially with appropriate safety measures in place and supervision from a trained therapist.
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Our physiotherapists use hydrotherapy as a tool to enhance the child’s therapeutic outcomes and achieve the child’s and families gross motor, movement and milestone goals. Whether it be learning to climb, walk or jump or building strength after a surgery, water is a fantastic way to encourage movement, increase confidence and take on water safety skills.
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Only if you want to! We understand some parents may not feel confident to get into the water and that is okay. You can sit close by and learn.
If you are keen to get in the water, you are most welcome to!
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Bathers and a towel for your child. If you're getting in the water, bring your own bathers and towel too. Goggles are optional but not required.
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Hydrotherapy for kids sessions run for 30 minutes. This is an individualised, clinician-led session, not a swim lesson, so the time is used purposefully.
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Thursdays, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. If this time doesn't work for your family, let us know. We'll always try to accommodate where we can.
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Not unless you want to. Some parents prefer to sit poolside and observe; others love getting in. Either is completely fine. If you do jump in, your presence can make a real difference for younger or more anxious children.
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The pool is kept at a therapeutic 34°C. That’s warm enough to support muscle relaxation and keep kids comfortable throughout the session, whatever the season.
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Yes. Your child's first session includes a poolside assessment and goal-setting with one of our physiotherapists. This helps us design a program that's right for them from day one.
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Some conditions, including epilepsy, respiratory issues, cardiac conditions, or active skin infections, may require additional consideration before starting. Call us on 0404 939 490 before booking and we'll work with you to put a safe support plan in place.
Kids that benefit from Hydrotherapy
Children's hydrotherapy is particularly effective for conditions that affect movement, tone, and coordination. The pool creates a low-risk environment where kids can work harder, move more freely, and build confidence alongside their physical goals.
✔ Babies
✔ Low tone (hypotonia)
✔ High tone (hypertonia)
✔ Pre and post surgery
✔ Down Syndrome
✔ Sensory seekers
✔ Sensory avoiders
✔ Down Syndrome
✔ Cerebral Palsy
✔ Delayed milestones
✔ Genetic disorders
✔ Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
✔ Sensory Processing Disorder
✔ Muscular Dystrophy
✔ Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
✔ Joint stiffness
✔ Hypermobility
✔ Fracture recovery
✔ Joint contractures
✔ Spina Bifida
✔ Poor body awareness
Paediatric Hydrotherapy for Cerebral Palsy
For children with cerebral palsy, hydrotherapy is one of the most well-supported tools in paediatric rehabilitation.
Water reduces the effect of gravity, which means children who experience spasticity, tightness, or limited range of movement on land can move with far greater freedom in the pool. That freedom creates real therapeutic opportunity, and children often surprise themselves with what they can do.
Research published in PLOS One (2025) found that paediatric hydrotherapy significantly improved gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy compared to conventional therapy alone, with consistent benefits across both younger and older age groups. The same review noted improvements in balance, coordination, and social interaction following structured aquatic therapy programs.
At EveryKid, our physios tailor every hydrotherapy session to each child's CP presentation. Goals might include improving walking patterns, building core and leg strength, reducing tone to allow easier movement, or gaining confidence around water. We track progress using outcome measures and adjust programs as your child develops.
For children with CP who are also working with our OT team, combining paediatric occupational therapy with hydrotherapy can support a broader range of functional goals across land and water.
The Benefits of Hydrotherapy for Children
Whether your child is working on strength, coordination, or confidence, kids' hydrotherapy delivers results across multiple areas at once.
Physical benefits
- Muscle strengthening: Water provides gentle resistance, building strength without impact-related risk
- Improved mobility and flexibility: Buoyancy reduces joint load, making movement easier and less painful
- Better balance and coordination: The dynamic water environment builds postural control and body awareness
- Pain relief: Warm water (34°C) eases muscle spasms, reduces tone, and increases blood flow to support recovery
- Cardiovascular fitness: Low-impact movement in water builds endurance in a safe, supported way
Developmental and wellbeing benefits
- Sensory regulation: The warmth, pressure, and movement of water can be deeply regulating for children with sensory processing differences
- Confidence and emotional wellbeing: Achieving movement milestones in the pool builds real self-belief
- Social connection: Group sessions give kids a chance to engage with peers in a fun, supported environment
NDIS Funding for Kids' Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy for children can be funded through the NDIS when it's delivered by a qualified allied health professional, such as a physiotherapist or accredited exercise physiologist, and is clearly linked to your child's plan goals and assessed needs. It generally falls under the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living category.
At EveryKid, our hydrotherapy for children is delivered by registered physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, and our team can support you with goal alignment and NDIS documentation.
We also accept:
- Private health insurance (with eligible rebates)
- Medicare (Enhanced Primary Care / Chronic Disease Management Plans)
- Charity grants, including Variety
Session fee: $145.50 + $32 travel fee. All charges can be claimed through the NDIS where applicable.
Not sure what funding applies to your child? Call our admin team on 0404 939 490, and we're happy to help you work it out.
Our Kids' Hydrotherapy Pool
Our sessions run at the aquatic pool at Holroyd Public School, Willara Avenue, Merrylands.
The pool is purpose-built for accessible aquatic therapy and includes:
- Pool hoist, ramps, and rails for easy entry and exit
- Therapeutic water temperature of 34°C, year-round
- Private, accessible change rooms, toilets, and showers
Beyond Hydrotherapy
For children who would benefit from more intensive progress, we also offer intensive therapy programs that concentrate targeted therapy over a shorter period of time.
During school holidays, our school holiday hydrotherapy programs give kids the chance to work on their water goals alongside peers in a fun, social setting.
Ready to Get Started?
EveryKid Parramatta is at 8/142 James Ruse Drive, Parramatta NSW 2150, with on-site parking and easy access from the M4 and Parramatta CBD. No referral needed to book.
Call 0404 939 490 or book online. Our admin team will help you find the right path forward for your child.
Meet your Hydro Team
Alexa
Physiotherapist
Doctor of Physiotherapy, Macquarie University / Bachelor of Kinesiology, University of TorontoAlexa comes from an active background, having grown up as an athletic kid and moving on to coaching gymnastics, becoming a paediatric physiotherapist just made sense! She thrives on helping children develop their physical skills while having fun in the process.
Before joining EveryKid, Alexa has worked in a range of areas, including paediatrics, spinal rehabilitation, neurology, and even as a camp counsellor! She also has additional background in Kinesiology, and DMI.
Outside of work, Alexa loves hiking, visiting beautiful places like Barcelona, and enjoys indulging in her favorite pasta dishes. A passionate traveler with three passports, she brings an adventurous spirit to everything she does. A fun fact about Alexa; she speaks fluent German!
Amy
Exercise Physiologist
Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Physiology), University of SydneyAmy is an Exercise Physiologist whose extensive experience as a swim teacher sparked her passion for paediatric therapy. Her background is rooted in active fun movement and she has spent years helping children build physical strength and confidence in and around the pool.
Before joining EveryKid, Amy worked with children in a variety of movement and learning settings, building her expertise in supporting kids of all abilities to thrive.
Outside of the clinic, Amy is an enthusiast for snowboarding and tackling obstacle courses. She brings the same energy, curiosity and playful spirit to her work, ensuring every child feels encouraged to reach their full potential.