Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 years old (U.S. Centers for Disease Control). Swim lessons reduce risk of drowning by 88% (National Institutes of Health).

I don’t have time to do swim lessons right now, is it really necessary for my 6 month old to be in swim lessons? 

Swim lessons only take 15 minutes a day for 6 weeks. Less time than an episode of Modern Family. Set your DVR and have the peace of mind that your baby will have the skills necessary to save themselves in case of an unfortunate accident around a pool.

Swim Lessons are expensive; I don’t have the money at this time.

Survival Swim Lessons cost approximately $125 per week for up to 6 weeks. On an annual basis this works out to be $2.32 per day or less than a daily trip to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts AND MUCH LESS THAN A TRIP TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM. We believe your baby is worth it!

I’m not going to be able to travel to your location; I guess I’ll have to skip it.

Safety First Swim School will come to you and we even have group discounts if you encourage your friends to sign up.
           
What age can my child start taking lessons?

Children can start taking lessons as early as 6 months.

How Often Should Lessons Be Scheduled?

To acquire swimming skills lessons will be conducted 4 days a week for approximately 15 minutes per lesson for children under the age of about 3. Children from 3-6 may take the 3 day a week program but it may take longer for them to acquire the necessary skills. Maintenance lessons should be continued 1-2 times per week. It is very important for children to maintain a regular schedule and consistency is the key.

How Many Lessons Will My Child Need?

Progress is determined by your child's own level and learning style as all lessons are private. Most students under 12 months complete rollback to float in about 4-6 weeks of lessons. Children 12 months and older learn the swim-float-swim technique typically in 4-8 weeks.

Will My Child's Head Get Wet or Go Under ?

The simple answer to this is yes. Every child from the very youngest are taught swimming properly. This means their head will be in the water and they will learn proper technique. At first it may be difficult but children learn and adapt quickly.


Why Are Lessons Only 15 Minutes?


Each lesson is private so your child get's our undivided attention. Young children have a short attention span and 10-13 minutes of "pool time" is a lot for them to take in. Safety First Swim School adds an additional few minutes for parent consultation which is five minutes longer than most other locations. You'll be amazed at how much can be accomplished in that time. 



 

 

 

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When are lessons scheduled?

Lessons are scheduled at the Safety First Swim School from 8am to 7pm Monday - Saturday. Schedules vary per instructor.

How early can I start my baby in swim lessons?

Children can begin swim lessons as early as six months old with a parent in the water for comfort.  Babies under one year often adapt to the water more readily than older children and the weightless environment of the water gives them a great place to exercise their young muscles.

My child tells me he doesn't want to take swim lessons, should I listen to him, or put him in lessons anyway? 

Put your child in lessons anyway.  Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of five!  Swim lessons reduce that risk by 88%. Children who have had swimming lessons have a respect for water, they know they have limitations, they understand the work involved with swimming, and they know there are rules that go with swimming. 

Are parents required to be in the water during lessons? 

Parents are not required to get in the pool with their child, however, it is encouraged that once the child is skilled that the parents work with their instructor to continue the child's development at home. Parents should discuss with their instructor when the best time is for them to join their child in the pool for lessons. 

What can I expect during the lesson?

Expect that your child may be upset during the first sessions, although each child reacts differently. The process requires a great deal of concentration and hard work, and children react accordingly at first. A crying child swallows air and water, which can lead to loud burping and spitting up. This is why it is important that your child not eat for at least an hour before the lesson if possible. It also important for parents to be patient and recognize that their child's reaction is only temporary. As a parent of a survival swim taught child, I understand the reaction. I experienced it myself, but found reassurance in knowing my children were learning critical skills. I encourage parents to discuss any concerns with me, which is why I allocate an additional five minutes each class for my students and their parents.


When will my child be a "safe" swimmer? 

Every child is unique and develops at their own pace. Babies and toddlers who have had positive water experiences early tend to develop faster because they do not develop a fear for the water. Keeping this in mind, the younger they get started, the sooner they will become safe and happy swimmers. Learning to swim is not a skill that you can be learned in just a few lessons. Swimming, like most skills, requires time to develop and practice. We recommend beginners take 4 lessons per week for maximum skill retention and fast progression.

Do you teach children with special needs?

Yes. Children with special needs often thrive in the water, and lessons are adapted to each child.

What should my child wear to lessons?

If your child is not potty trained, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A SWIM DIAPER. The best swim diapers are those with a terry lining and either cloth or waterproof 

Do you recommend using flotation devices? 

NO! Please DO NOT put arm floaties on your child as they cause them to remain in a vertical position in the water.

Should my child eat before lessons?

Children should not eat anything at least one hour (preferably 2 hours) before the lesson. The time of the lesson can sometimes make this difficult. In that case, limit the amount of protein, which is digested very slowly, and stick to carbohydrates if possible.

What is the cost of the program?

The cost of the program is $125 per week plus a one time registration fee of $100 per child. Tuition is due in advance and may be paid by either check, cash, or credit card through our Parent Portal. 


How does billing work? 

Lessons are paid for in advance to ensure that we are able to book your entire lesson request. Our instructors are extremely busy during the peak swim season and lesson packages ensures they are able to accommodate a client for the duration of the lessons and help to give instructors a more predictable monthly schedule.


Do you have insurance? 

Yes, we are fully insured to provide swim lessons.


What is your cancellation policy? 

All non medical or weather related cancellations must be made more than 72 hours from your scheduled lesson time to avoid being charged for the lesson. We allow 2 lesson reschedules per lesson package and 4 per season. Cancellations due to poor weather conditions (cold & rainy or lightning) do not apply to the lesson reschedule maximum. ALL MAKE UP LESSONS WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR THE LAST WEEK OF THE STUDENTS LESSON PLAN. 


The peace of mind that you get from knowing your baby can swim and float until rescued is priceless. Register today!