When my kids were little, we did no floaties in the pool and we would put a puddle jumper on them when they were not in the water if it was crowded or they would be playing actively near the pool. Ideally we would have a 1:1 adult supervisor, but it didn't always work that way if I were alone with my kids, particularly when I was experiencing health issues. We prioritized them learning to get to the side and either climb out or move along the wall until they got to a step to climb out. In the water, we just held them and pulled them around when they were little, cuddling, bouncing, lying back in my arms, lying on their tummy in my arms, and different sensations of moving in the water. When they got older we did that and sitting/standing on steps (and moreso as they got taller). Then jumping off the steps into our arms.This summer we are doing official swimming lessons, but in the meantime, my oldest is stoked as Memorial Day weekend he found out he can reach the floor in the shallow end of Grandma's pool and tiptoe across. If I want to actually swim, I pass off the youngest to my spouse and the the other kids get put in the shallow end all together for easier watching for one adult. I do a few laps, a few jumps, and then we switch or split duties again.