FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn to swim?
This varies by the age, skill level, and motivation of the swimmer. If there is any fear of the water present, expect the learn-to-swim process to take longer. After 10 swim classes, most are comfortable with the water and have made significant progress on breath control, water safety, floating, kicks, and freestyle arms. Advanced swim technique and proper breathing will take months, even years to develop.
How many times per week should I shedule swim lessons?
What can I do at home to get my child ready for swim lessons?
Practice bubbles and floating in the bathtub. This will help to prepare your child for what to expect during swim class. Encourage your child to have fun with bath time. Allow the water to go on their head and face. Encourage using HANDS to wipe water away. NO TOWEL to wipe head or face until bathtime/shower is completely over. This will help facilitate positive associations with water activities.
Is it normal for my child to be upset or scared during a swim lesson?
Yes! Many children cry during swim lessons for a variety of reasons. Some children have a fear of certain aspects of learning to swim. Our instructors are trained to customize your child's swim class to focus on what they need to accomplish. The best thing to do is to allow the instructor to teach the class and praise your child after the completion of the swim lesson.
Should I put "floaties" on my child?
No. Flotation devices that attach to the child are dangerous because children cannot differentiate when the floaties are attached to their body and when they are not. Floaties also make it significantly more difficult to learn to swim with proper form. The Swim Squad will never teach a swimmer using any kind of floatation devce.
How do I prepare for the swim lesson?
Every swimmer should wear proper swim attire to swim lessons. If the child is under 3yrs old and/or not toilet trained, a swim diaper is necessary. Please bring your swimmer a towel, applied sunscreen and a water bottle. Goggles are optional and will be advised by your instructor. Your swim instructor will bring toys, dive rings, kick boards and other aids to use during the lesson.
How can I help the swimmer overcome fear?
If your swimmer is experiencing fear of the water there are a few things that you can do. Speak in positive words when discussing swimming lessons. Use words such "safe" and "fun." Practice in the bathtub! Work on skills such as floating and bubbles during bath-time. Practice, practice, practice! The more exposure your swimmer gets to the water, the faster you will achieve the desired results.
Should I get into the water for my child's swim lesson?
In most instances, your child will learn to be water safe much more quickly with one-on-one swim lessons with their swimming instructor. However, we do offer parent-and-me style classes if that is more appropriate for your swimmer
Should I sit beside the pool during my child's swim class?
Yes, but it is best if you watch the swim lesson from a little distance. Please do not sit immediately poolside or on the edge of the pool. The Swim Squad requires the caregiver to be present for every lesson. Failure to do so will result in the canceling and forfeiture of the lesson.
What happens if it rains?
In the case of inclement weather, please contact your instructor to reschedule. If your instructor feels the weather conditions are unsafe, you will be contacted to reschedule the swim class.
Should my child be in the pool before the instructor gets to my home?
Yes! Please have your child(ren) prepared to enter the water ten minutes prior to their scheduled start time. The instructor will be entering the water with your child at their start time. Please be aware that we require there be no distractions from the parent/caregiver, family members, music, animals, siblings, friends, neighbors, etc.
How many weekly classes do you suggest for my child?
We have a progression of skills that we would like each child to master. The more classes per week you schedule, the faster and more effective the learning process will be. This is an accelerated style that is designed to help children retain the information by repeating it daily for multiple days in a shorter amount of time.
What kind of skills will my child be learning in their lessons?
Instructors follow the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program to track participant progress and achievements. Water safety skills, pool rules, survival skills, stroke technique, and safe ways to enter and exit the pool are just a handful of the many skills your child will be learning.
Are there make up days for classes missed or if I forget to be home for my lesson?
No refunds are given for "no shows". If an instructor shows up to the lesson and the swimmer is not present, this will count as a fully paid lesson towards your package. The only make up days we offer are for weather related cancellations, if a student is sick or if a cancellation was made by The Swim Squad staff. A minimum of 24 hours notice is required for cancelations.
Can children swim with tubes in their ears?
We advise you speak with your physician first before doing so. Children with tubes may experience discomfort while floating on their back due to the way the tubes are built. We recommend using ear plugs along with a specialized swimming headband.
What should the swimmer wear for class?
Swimmers must wear bathing suit and have long hair secured away from the face. No jewelry (small post earrings ok), tee shirts or water shoes are permitted. Please have your swimmer ready to enter the water ten minutes prior to the start of their lesson to become acclimated with the water and temperature of the pool.
Do you allow goggles during swim class?
We do not suggest the use of goggles for beginners because we do not want the swimmer to become dependent on the use of them. Also, in the case of an emergency, you want to have them react to the emergency of falling in to the water versus panicking about water being in their eyes.Your instructor will advise when the swimmer will be permitted to wear goggles.
What if my child doesn't like water on his/her face?
Keep in mind that our instructors have a lot of experience with children (and adults) who do not like water on their faces. This is a major component in learning to swim that (we believe) the swimmer must be overcome. How do we aid this process? Exposure, exposure, exposure; followed by gentle coaxing and a lot of praise. We also request the help of parents in encouraging children to get their faces wet during bath time. Handing a child a dry towel or reaching to wipe their wet face will only prolong and enforce their phobia. If you act like a wet face is no big deal, they will learn to overcome their discomfort around water.
What if we feel the instructor is not a good fit?
If your instructor is not a perfect match for your family, please let us know and we will try and match you with an alternative instructor as soon as possible. We do ask that you do at least 2 lessons with your instructor to determine.
If children are on different levels of swimming do you suggest them be in a different swim lesson?
An instructor can try to customize and accommodate both skill levels but if it doesn’t seem to be productive for both children than we will suggest to have each child do their own lesson.
Do you provide a group for the parent/child lessons or do we have to put it together?
In all instances the client is responsible to get the group together. If any member of the group is absent from their lesson, refunds or makeups will not be given.
Do you take photos or videos of my child during swim class?
Yes, The Squad Squad will occasionally take photos/ videos of your child for promotional use only. If you do not want photos/videos taken of your child please notify your instructor.
Are The Swim Squad swim instructors certified?
Yes! All of The Swim Squad instructors are certified in CPR and First Aid. Instructors may also carry lifeguarding and WSI crtifications as well. We use a multi-tiered hiring process that ensures we hire only the best instructors to represent The Swim Squad. Our certified teachers are experienced professionals who have passed our extensive interview process, which includes a criminal background check and sex offender screening.
Is The Swim Squad insured?
Yes! The Swim Squad instructors and lifeguards are covered under our 3 million dollar liability policy while performing assigned duties with our clients.
What temperature should my pool be?
COVID-19 FAQ
Please continue to follow all of the guidelines that have been in place during this time. If you or your child has symptoms of COVID-19 (or been exposed to anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19) including cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever (a temperature over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or a feeling of feverishness), chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell in the last 14 days, please reschedule their swim lesson. Also, please check the students temperature before EVERY lesson to ensure that they have no fever (100.4 degrees F). The Swim Squad instructors/lifeguards reserve the right to check temperatures prior to the swim lesson. If a swimmer has a temperature of 100.4 Fahrenheit degrees the swim lesson will be immediately canceled. That lesson will be counted against the package.
WILL THE TEACHERS WEAR MASKS DURING LESSONS?
No. Because swim lesson instruction requires that we teach students to hold their breath and use proper breathing techniques, our instructors will need to demonstrate these techniques which is not conducive to wearing a mask.
SHOULD STUDENTS WEAR MASKS DURING LESSONS?
Students may wear a mask upon arrival and departure, but upon entering the pool, we ask that mask not be worn since the student will have their faces in and out of the water which is not conducive to wearing a mask.
WILL THE STUDENTS BE 6 FT APART?
We do not have enough space on the steps to keep them 6 feet apart during the lesson. However, we are going to modify our lessons as much as possible and break the students into even smaller groups during part of the lessons to keep them as far apart as possible. Please be sure to consult the guidelines above if anyone in your family has had Covid-19 symptoms in the last 14 days prior to lessons or if anyone has potentially been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
ARE SWIM LESSONS SAFE?
While I cannot guarantee a virus-free environment, the research does appear to show that outdoors in the sun in a saltwater or chlorine pool is not the ideal environment for the virus. The CDC has put out a statement in regards to pools. “Proper operation and maintenance of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water. There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Please be sure to regularly check chlorine levels and add chlorine as needed to the pool to maintain proper sanitation.Are the Instructors/Lifeguards COVID vaccinated?
Providers who have been COVID vaccinated will have this information in their individual biography.