Swimming Lessons: How to Find the Right Instructor for Your Child

Getting Your Child Enrolled in Results-Producing Swimming Lessons

Springtime in most of the United States brings on a rush of school spirit days, recitals and ceremonies, and the media’s annual reminder to sign kids up for swimming lessons. 

From there, it's common to take to social media to ask for swim school recommendations and sign up for the one that fits your schedule best so you can check this to-do off your list. 

I get it. 

I'm a mom of three, and while my kids are all grown and flown, I remember the days of juggling all of the responsibilities of parenting little ones. The thing is, swimming lessons are different from every other activity. Yes, they can be enjoyable. But more than that, they are introducing your child to a crucial life skill—one that could make all of the difference in them staying safe around water. 

The “G” strategy of the Watching Initiative stands for “Get your child enrolled in swim lessons.”

In this post, I challenge you to take a different, more intentional approach to finding the best swim program for your family and your child. 

Read on to learn how to start your search and the questions to ask to make the best possible choice and set your child up for swimming success. 

Start by getting clear about what you want out of a swimming program. 

Before you look into swimming program options, you need to know what kind of program you are looking for based on your child's age, experience with water, and personality and needs.  

Some families want an intensive program focused on lifesaving skills. Others are looking for a more relaxed introduction to water. Do you want them "working" on swimming skills for the time they are in the water, or are you comfortable with time spent in lessons singing songs and playing with toys? You may resonate more with one type of program or another, and it helps to know that going in. 

Remember that every program you find will have both good and bad reviews. Just because something is an excellent fit for your neighbor doesn't mean it's right for you. Choosing a swimming program is a very personal decision. You can and SHOULD do your homework to find the one that best aligns with your goals for your child.  

Reach out directly and ask these questions to make an informed decision. 

Call and speak with the instructor or program director to get more information when possible. Emailing is also an option, but I believe you will get a better feel for the program and the person by speaking with them. 

Here are the questions I recommend asking: 

1) The first question is actually a three-part question: “Will my child’s instructor be certified, insured, and CPR/First Aid/AED certified?

In the United States, swim instructors are not required to have any certification at all. A facility can require instructors to be certified, but it is not mandated that they are. So, asking the question can be very illuminating. 

If you want to work with a private instructor not affiliated with or hired by a facility, ask if they are insured. Again, independent swim instructors are not required to carry ANY insurance AT ALL.

And finally, no matter which program or private instructor you hire, you need to know if your child’s instructor is CPR/FIRST AID/AED certified. It also won't hurt to ask if an AED is available at the pool where your child will be swimming.

2) “How much experience does my child's instructor have?”

Years of experience do not guarantee amazing instruction, and fairly new instructors can be wonderful. Still, you should feel comfortable asking how much experience your child’s instructor has before you allow them to accompany your child in the pool. You may also ask if instructors engage in ongoing training throughout their teaching career.

3) “Is there a guarantee that your child will have the same instructor EVERY CLASS?”

This question is so very important for consistency and for building a relationship. If the answer to this question is "No," I would encourage you to continue to look for a program that does guarantee this. If your child has a different instructor each class, it is like having a Day 1 lesson over and over again. This delays the ability to bond with an instructor and will delay progress. 

4) “What is the instructor to student ratio?”

Some may offer 1:1 lessons, others small groups, and others slightly larger groups. None of these are necessarily wrong, but one may be more right for your child. 

5) “Does my child’s instructor have training in working with children who . . .”

Especially if you have a child with special needs or challenges such as sensory processing, autism, speech delays, anxiety, or fear of water, it's essential to know if your child's instructor has been specially trained to support those needs. 

6) “How is the time in class spent and what are the goals of each class?”

Different programs have different instruction styles. Some programs focus more on self-rescue and foundational swim skills. Others incorporate games, songs, and toys to encourage water acclimation. Some invite parent participation, while others do not. Ask about the length of classes, the number of classes per session, and how class time is spent.  

7) “What is the time line for students to learn and master certain skills?”

While every student’s progress will differ, the instructor should be able to offer a general sense of when specific skills will be addressed and how many classes it typically takes for students to grasp those skills. 

8) “May I observe a class with children in similar age/ability to my child before I register?”

Observing a class is a great way to gauge whether a program suits you and your child. Watch how the class is managed and how the instructor engages with each swimmer. 

9) “Can you provide me with some references of parents I could speak with who have children in this program who are of similar age/ability to my child?”

Focus on speaking with or connecting with other parents about their PERSONAL experiences in any program and shy away from those who slam a swim program that they have no first-hand knowledge of or experience with or those who give "what they have heard about other programs" recommendations to you.

10) “Are instructors available to speak with me concerning my child’s progress through the session?”

This query goes back to philosophy and approach, but some instructors are interested in partnering with families, and others are less available. If connecting with your child's instructor matters to you, this is an important question to ask before you sign up. 

Even if you don’t ask every question on this list, never hesitate to ask the questions you do have. 

When you give your child swimming lessons, you are literally putting their life in someone else's hands. You have the right to ask any of these questions and DESERVE to have them answered before you register and hand your child to them.

Remember, the program that worked best for your sister's or your best friend's kids may not work for your kids. Also, the program that worked for your oldest child may not best fit your second child—every situation is different.  

The ultimate goal should be to support your child in becoming a safe, confident, strong swimmer with a clear understanding of water safety boundaries.  

I hope that this information helps you find the best program to help your child reach that goal.

If you found this to be good information, please share it with the parents in your social networking groups and in your life. All parents deserve to have all the information they need to make a well-informed decision for their child!