Choosing the Right Swim School for Your Kids

If your child is fond of the beach, swimming, or other water-related activities, sending him or her to swim school in the summer may be right up their alley. Swimming offers many benefits for children. Learning how to swim can give them a boost of confidence and self-esteem. It is a necessary life skill for them to learn early on. If you’re thinking about sending your kids to swim school, here are some things you should consider when choosing the right school:

What are your expectations?

Before choosing a swim school, ask yourself what you want your child to get out of the experience. Is it to learn basic swimming skills? To meet new people? Or just to have a fun summer experience? Talk to the administration and ask them about what the swim school’s focus is on. If your child is still learning the basics, it’s not appropriate to put him in a program with kids who already have advanced swimming skills. Choose a program that fits his skill level and make sure the instructors are informed about it in case he needs some one-on-one time.

What’s their track record?

Interview other parents who’ve sent their kids to that particular swim school and ask them about their experience with it. Were they happy with it? Would they send their child again? Make sure the trainers are experienced professionals.

What kind of training methods do they employ?

How are the instructors teaching the kids? Do your research on how many kids are in each class and how long each class lasts so you have an idea about the extent of your child’s training. What kind of methods do they use to teach less-experienced swimmers? How do they deal with emergency situations?

Remember, there’s no question too silly to ask. Air your concerns early and ask all the questions you need answered before enrolling your child.

Also, make sure to make reservations early -- at least 2 to 3 months in advanced. The closer it is to summer, the quicker swim school programs fill up, so don’t wait until the last minute to reserve a spot for your child.