Frequently Asked Questions
REGISTRATION
At SwimKids, our focus is safety first. All students must be able to surface, roll back to their backs to float and get a breath, then swim to the nearest exit point before moving on to group lessons. Click here to view our lesson progression.
Anytime! Our indoor, heated pool is open year-round, and our swim lessons are continuous.
First, complete our online Get Started form here. You will receive our program information via email with detailed instructions on the next steps to register your child. Next, you’ll schedule a tour and/or complete our parent portal registration. Finally, you’ll reserve a spot on an instructor’s schedule and start swimming!
We offer free evaluations for children with PRIOR SWIMMING EXPERIENCE. Please fill out our online form and a staff member will reach out to schedule.
Swim lesson pricing is different for private, survival swim lessons and group swim lessons. Survival swim lessons are billed per lesson, and you are only billed for the amount of lessons needed to complete the program (typically 6-8 weeks). Group lessons are billed on a monthly basis depending on a 1x per week or 2x per week schedule.
New students will be charged the enrollment fee upon completing registration. You will receive a statement the week before lessons begin, and will be automatically charged each week/month depending on the program.
We have a one-time enrollment fee of $100 for new students. We do not charge annual fees or re-enrollment fees for previous members.
SwimKids does not offer refunds for lessons or registration fees.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Survival swimming lessons provide children with the life-saving skills necessary to be able to save themselves from drowning should an aquatic accident occur. By teaching them the basic skills of propulsion, floating and breath control, young children are able to swim-float-survive and transform from being helpless in the water into confident and capable swimmers, even at a young age.
Commitment is one of the most important factors in seeing your child’s survival swim technique success. Our professionals recommend a minimum of three 15-minute lessons per week in order for children to retain their lessons and be able to utilize their skill set. These shorter, yet consistent lessons provide young children ample opportunities to learn the swim-float-survive technique in a matter of weeks.
At SwimKids, we believe every child learns differently and the pace varies, which is why our survival swim lessons are one-on-one and tailored to your child’s needs. Survival swim lessons are 15 minutes in length, 3 times or 2 times (4 years and older) per week. On average, the program typically takes between 4-8 weeks, depending on your child, their skill level, attendance, and confidence.
Private lessons are typically scheduled on M/W/F or T/R/SA during the business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Group/Stroke school lessons are offered at various times during the day and can be booked through our parent portal.
Our instructors use a variety of methods so that each child gains trust in the instructor and in the lesson process. Crying is to be expected when your child begins lessons. This is how babies and toddlers are hardwired to communicate. It usually takes 3-5 lessons for your child to settle in a routine and develop a relationship with the instructor. A positive, enthusiastic attitude from Mom or Dad will go a long way in reassuring a tearful or reluctant child.
We teach every swimmer how to rotate from front to back and back to front using their core. This is a fundamental skill for learning freestyle, backstroke and proper breathing. If your child is already a swimmer they will need an evaluation so that we can determine what class is the best fit. Many swimmers may need a few private lessons prior to joining a class so that they can learn the drills, and understand the technique we are teaching.
Evaluations are on Saturday’s at noon or weekdays depending on instructor availability. . The evaluation usually takes 5-10 minutes.
All of our Stroke/Group instructors must complete a minimum of 40 hours in water training with a senior instructor before teaching classes independently.
Our SURVIVAL swim Instructors train with a Survival Swim Development Network Master Instructor during a 6 week period of one on one training. To teach independently each instructor must have a minimum of 100 hours in water practice.
All instructors attend ongoing mentoring and in-service training.
We ask that you consult a physician if your child has a medical condition that may affect his/her participation in lessons. Please explain the condition on your enrollment form so that we may discuss in more detail how best to provide safe and effective lessons for your child.
There is no such thing as a drown-proof child, teen or adult. Constant supervision, strong aquatic skills and respect for the water all play a part in drowning prevention. Check out our Water Safety page for more information on how to be safe in and around water.
In 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics made the landmark decision to change their stance on the age children are ready to begin swimming lessons. Previously, the AAP maintained that children aged 4 and up had both the mental and physical ability to follow directions and learn how to swim while younger children did not. However, the AAP now recommends children as young as a year old are ready to begin formal swimming lessons.
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/143/5/e20190850#sec-15
Once your child completes our survival swim program, their instructor may suggest a 1 x week maintenance lesson to gain more confidence, sharpen skills and begin learning new skills in a private lesson environment.
Maintenance lessons are also suggested for children that have been out of the water for several months and need a refresher.
FACILITY INFORMATION
All lessons are taught at our indoor facility and are offered year-round. Our pool temperature is kept at 90 degrees so that our students and staff are comfortable and able to focus on swimming.
Our pool uses a saline system to convert salt to chlorine. We also utilize Ozone as a secondary sanitation method to keep our pool sparkling clean. Ozone is a very effective oxidizer and kills 99% of viruses, bacteria and mold.
2023 closure dates:
May 27, 28, 29 (Memorial Day weekend)
July 3, 4 (July 4th weekend)
September 2, 3, 4 (Labor Day weekend)
November 22 – 26 (Week of Thanksgiving)
December 23 – Jan 2 (Christmas Break)
POLICIES
Contact us for a full list of the SwimKids official policies.
We understand that life happens. Children get sick and parents have commitments that sometimes prevent a child from attending a lesson. If you can not attend a lesson we ask that you call ahead or mark your child absent on the parent portal. We will issue one make-up token per month to be used toward another lesson. No Shows and additional missed lessons will be charged, as you are holding a spot that another student could be using.
If your child misses a group or stroke school lesson a make-up token will be added to their student account. 1 makeup token is allowed per month.
It is ok to take video/pictures of your child during a private lesson. However, if your child is in a group setting please ask the instructor as some clients may not like their child being photographed.
Please fill out our cancellation form: https://swimkidsofgeorgia.com/request-to-cancel/
Cancellations must be submitted by the 20th of the month to avoid charges.
To protect the health of our clients and prevent the shut down of our pool due to a fecal contamination, we require that children 4 under wear a swim diaper.
All children NOT POTTY TRAINED are required to wear 2 layers of protection: a snugly fitted reusable, cloth swim diaper and a disposable “little swimmer” underneath the reusable swim diaper during lessons. Swimsuits are optional.
Children ages 4 and under who ARE POTTY TRAINED may omit the disposable diaper, but must still wear a properly fitted reusable swim diaper.