Top Considerations When Choosing a Swim School for Your Infant

There’s no doubt that infant swimming classes in West LA offer a range of benefits that can help children develop critical social, cognitive, and physical skills well ahead of schedule. Studies indicate that infants who participate in swimming lessons have improved motor skills, muscle strength, and coordination. They also socialize more easily and can better navigate social settings as they age. They learn language and problem solving at an accelerated rate as well.

Though the benefits of infant swimming classes are well documented, parents must also understand that not all infant swimming schools are alike. While there may be many swim schools offering infant classes, it’s important to know what differentiates the best infant swim classes from the others. Keep reading here to learn some of the top factors you should consider when selecting an infant swim school for your children.

Staff Training

When investigating potential infant swimming schools, one of the first things you should consider is the level of training required of the school’s staff. A professional infant swim instructor should possess some industry-recognized swim-specific credential that is focused on infants and toddlers. You don’t just want an adult swim instructor or lifeguard for the task of teaching your baby to swim. Find someone who has verified experience teaching infants.

Safety

Be sure to inquire about the safety protocols employed by the school. In other words, how does the school ensure the safety and well-being of participants in infant swimming classes? For example, how many trained staff are present during the classes? Are they trained in lifesaving skills such as infant CPR? Is there readily available lifesaving equipment that can be used in an emergency to render aid to those in need? Be sure that any school you consider makes safety a priority.

Staff Vetting

In addition to checking the credentials of the instructors who will be teaching the class, you should also make sure that the school hires staff with clean criminal background checks. Any employees who work with children should have background checks and training in safeguarding children from harm.

Pool Conditions

Pools can be avenues for a variety of maladies if not properly maintained. Therefore, when selecting a swim school, it’s important to check the conditions of the pool and surrounding facilities to make sure they are well-kept and properly maintained. Also, make sure the school requires that infant swimmers wear the proper attire to prevent accidents that could contaminate the pool.

Proper Insurance

It’s also important to make sure that the schools you’re considering have the proper insurance for the industry. A reputable school will carry both public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance. That protects everyone involved in the event of an accident and is considered a mark of professionalism.

Lesson and Program Structure

Be sure to inquire about the way that lessons are structured, and the way students are placed and promoted to higher levels of instruction. Most infant swimming lessons begin with splashing and body posture. However, depending on the goals of the class, students can develop more advanced skills as well. Pick a structure that will best meet your instructional goals and the learning pattern of your child.

Before enrolling your infant in swimming lessons, be sure to consider the factors above to find the perfect school for your little one. To learn more about our swim school, contact Swim Right Academy today!