F.A.Qs

1. How quickly will my child learn how to swim?
2. What if my child is not feeling well?
3. What if my child cries?
4. Do you offer make-ups or credits for missed classes?
5. How can I contact my child’s teacher?
6. Can I change my child’s class to a different day and/or time?
7. What will my child need to bring to swim class?
8. At what age should my child begin swim lessons?
9. Do you consider age or ability when determining a student’s level?
10. Do you have a schedule of classes you can send me?
11. Why group lessons? Aren’t private lessons better for my child?
12. What if my child has a medical condition?

1. How quickly will my child learn how to swim?

Each child is unique and many different factors determine how quickly the child will learn to swim, including the child’s developmental stage, any previous experience in and around the water, as well as the child’s ability to adjust to a new environment. Please be patient and do not expect your child to make equal progress during each lesson. It is normal for a child’s learning to resemble a series of spikes and plateaus. However, we believe that many small steps lead to great achievements, as well as lasting self-confidence. We also believe that every child can ultimately learn to swim with proper instruction and continual support.

Please note that consistency over time is one of the keys to success in our program. We ask that you do your best to consistently bring your child to swim class.

2. What if my child is not feeling well?

If your child has a cold, but is eating well and acting as normal, you may bring him or her to class. Please do not bring a child who has a fever, is not eating, or shows signs of bacterial infection.

3. What if my child cries?

Let us start by saying that it is completely normal for a child to cry during the child’s first swim lesson(s). Consider the child’s perspective—he or she is in a strange environment in the care of an unfamiliar instructor. That said, we train our teachers to understand the nature of a child’s fear. The instructor will then work to gain the trust of the child, in part by acknowledging the child’s fear, and then help the child to conquer the fear. Often, a simple reassurance makes all the difference.

As a parent, the best thing you can do for your child is to keep bringing your child to swim class. Continuing to do so sends the message to your child that you, as the child’s primary caregiver, approve and trust in this new activity, which in turn, helps your child to better adjust and overcome your child’s fear. Please consider that delaying or avoiding swim lessons may serve to reinforce your child’s fear, and create a situation that is more difficult to overcome.

The next best thing is to praise them for their participation in class. We are going to tell them how brave and what a big boy or girl they are, but we are certain that these compliments will have a greater impact coming from you!

4. Do you offer make-ups or credits for missed classes?

We do not offer refunds, credits, or make-ups for missed classes. We will have a qualified instructor and warm water waiting for your child each week. If your child is unable to attend, we look forward to seeing your child at the next scheduled lesson. Consistency is one of the keys to our program. We ask that you do your best to regularly bring your child to swim lessons.

If we cancel a class for reasons which are within our control, we will apply a credit to your account which will be deducted from your next month’s tuition.

5. How can I contact my child’s teacher?

If you wish to contact your child’s teacher for any reason, please stop by the front desk and fill out a Parent-Teacher Communication Form. If a reply is needed, your instructor will usually respond within twenty-four hours of his or her receipt of the form.

6. Can I change my child’s class to a different day and/or time?

Absolutely! As long as we have availability in the appropriate level, we are happy to transfer your child to a class at a different day and/or time. Please keep in mind that consistency is one of the keys to our program, and it may take a few classes for your child to adjust to the rhythm and routine of the new instructor and/or class.

7. What will my child need to bring to swim class?

If your child is enrolled in a ribbon level class, your child needs to have his or her own pair of goggles. If your child has long hair, we ask that you tie it back in a ponytail or have your child wear a swim cap, so that it does not interfere with your child’s swimming. For your convenience, we have both goggles and caps available for sale in the office.

All children under the age of three must wear a fitted, reusable swim diaper while swimming. These are available for purchase in the office. Plastic training pants or regular diapers are NOT allowed.

8. At what age should my child begin swim lessons?

In accordance with guidelines set forth by both the United States Swim School Association and the Australian Swim School Association, we believe that children are ready to begin swim lessons at any time after they have reached six months of age. The earlier that a child is enrolled into a learn-to-swim program, the better! We find that children who begin swim classes before they reach one year of age generally accept the water more readily than older children.

Fear of the water is acquired over time. The older a child is when first beginning a learn-to-swim program, the more challenging his or her fear will likely be to overcome.

Remember, learning to swim is a life-saving skill–the best day to start lessons, was yesterday!

9. Do you consider age or ability when determining a student’s level?

Our primary consideration in determining your child’s level in our program is your child’s physical ability and aquatic experience. Age is a secondary consideration in that we will attempt to match students’ ages in a class to within two to three years. However, we cannot guarantee this range.

10. Do you have a schedule of classes you can send me?

Because our schedule of classes is constantly evolving with our students, we unfortunately do not have a set schedule that we can post or send to you. If we did try to send something, it would be outdated before you even received it! The easiest way to inquire about our current schedule of classes is to call the office at 925-838-SWIM(7946).

11. Why group lessons? Aren’t private lessons better for my child?

We believe that small group lessons are a more effective and fun way for most children to learn to swim. While private lessons may be good in the short term to boost a child who is stuck on a learning plateau, we have found that over the long term, these classes are not as enjoyable for the child. Private lessons make it more challenging for an instructor to hold the attention and focus of the child on the material of the class, which increases the possibility that the child may tire of the activity, and possibly lose interest altogether.

We believe that the small group format is beneficial to our students because of the social interaction it allows, as well as the opportunities it provides for our students to learn from watching each other. Children do not always believe us when we tell them that they can do something. Simply put, we are grown-ups. Of course we can accomplish the task. However, when children see one of their peers try something new, they tend to see things differently, and therefore become inspired to perform the task themselves. Thus, we are strong believers in the power of peer demonstration.

We also find that children enjoy the camaraderie of the small group format, which makes them look forward to attending their class each week.

12. What if my child has a medical condition?

If you believe that your child has any form of medical condition which might reasonably affect his or her participation in swim lessons, please advise the office staff during the registration process.