The best way to start enjoying swimming is to learn the right way and develop good basic skills. When you have those skills they will last a lifetime.
With good skills you can choose whether you want to grow into a competitive swimmer, move into one of the other aquatic disciplines like water polo, diving and synchro or simply enjoy swimming as part of a fitness regime or help you develop a success career in triathlons.
Most clubs and swimming pools provide good quality lessons for children that follow the teaching plans developed by Swim England.
It you want to compete then you have to be a member of an affiliated club.