DD's swimming lesson didn't go so well. Have I misunderstood Stage 1?

[Eastie77]

DD (just turned 5) had her first swimming lesson today, a Stage 1 class. I spoke with the leisure centre before booking and explained that she is a non-swimmer who is nervous in water and was told that is fine - Stage 1 is the right level for her. There were 4 other children so a nice small size. At the start of the lesson the teacher told everyone to get in. All 4 children turned around and slid in. DD sat on the side, very scared, and wouldn't get in. The teacher clicked her fingers and said "come on, in you get". When DD didn't comply the teacher carried on teaching the other 4 and I spent the best part of 40mins coaxing DD to get in. I managed to get her kind of halfway down the stairs leading into the pool and just before the lesson ended she finally stood up and let go of the side. Meanwhile the class continued with the other kids using Doodle's, going underwater etc. The teacher did not acknowledge DD during this time except on one occasions when she looked over and said "You need to get in the pool".

So firstly: in no way did I expect the teacher to devote time to just helping DD when she had 4 other pupils but am I BU in expecting a little bit more encouragement from her?

Secondly, it feels as if I need to get DD confident in the water otherwise these classes are not going to work so I'm looking at a booking a couple of private lessons to help with that. But I'm wondering if I've misunderstood Stage 1 since the kids in the class today were already able to jump/slide in, float on their bag with the Doodle and dive under water to pick up objects. I understand they may have already had a few lessons but wondering if in fact I should bother continuing until she overcomes her fear of water? It doesn't feel as if this 'Stage 1' class is geared up to help her with that.

The brusque teacher today announced it is her final week and a new teacher is starting next week so I will also try and see if DD gets more help with him/her.

She’s not ready for group swimming lessons yet, it’s a real shame they won’t refund you. I’d take her to her next one with the new teacher but be sure to get there early to explain how nervous she is about entering the water.

But you may have to do individual lesssons and also got to the pool every week as a family to get her used to it.

If the lessons were advertised for children with no swimming experience, they should be refunding you, as they haven't asked you if your daughter is confident enough to get in the water immediately she's asked to.

Fanclub the Adam Peaty story is interesting isn't it. He was so scared of water his mum struggled to bathe him and he screamed hysterically whenever they went to swimming pools.

I spoke to the swimming coordinater who said DD should continue, it's fine if she just sits on the side and she will get in eventually if I take her to the pool in between lessons. The classes are on a rolling basis so the earlier lessons will come around again. We are all (me, DD, DP and DS) going this evening for the family session at the pool.

The teacher left a note on DD's progress sheet stating that my presence by the pool was not helpful and I should have left.

Well hopefully that teacher is gone for good. How dare they write that on the record??!! Just demonstrating their complete lack of suitability to teaching young children to swim....
My DS's teacher used to growl at them, whilst splashing them in the face, "I'll get you swimming. You might not enjoy it but I'll get you swimming." I just thought, I'd rather he enjoyed it actually, and changed groups.
Let us know how you get on with your fun sessions and the new teacher.

Private 1-1 lesson went amazingly well. I left a visibly scared DD with the tutor, standing by the teaching pool and looking as if she wouldn't get in. Returned 30mins later to find her in the pool and showing off her ability to put her face in the water (something I have never been able to get her to even attempt!).

I winced at the cost of the 1-1 as a single lesson costs more than 4 sessions at the leisure centre 'Stage 1' but I'm going to grin and bear it as the improvement in her confidence is great to see.

That’s great to hear. Sounds well worth it.

Well done to both of you- OP and DD. I really hope she enjoys her 1:1 sessions and they give her the confidence to join group lessons.
The 1:1 costs are astronomical - but they ARE worth it when they get you over a specific 'hump'.

That's a good update, and sounds like quite a bit of progress in a very short time!

You could save money by teaching her yourself.

Or she could choose to spend her money and let an expert do it. Many people choose to pay for services that they could do themselves, but would rather not.

I've already explained downthread why I wouldn't be a good teacher Tatiana. I'd rather have someone trained to actually teach this life skill take the lead as opposed to haphazardly attempting it myself in a bid to save money. Crazy, I know

Glad the 1-1 went well. I don’t think the other teacher did anything wrong though. If you were already trying to encourage your dd then it’s probably right that she concentrated on the other children who were ready to follow instructions.
I think most kids who start stage one have been swimming before with family so are happy to at least get in the pool if they’re not out of their depth. If your dd is very nervous then some 1-1 or at least you taking her to build up her confidence is the right thing to do imo.

You just said you were impatient and hadn’t taken her often enough to get her used to the water.

By teaching her yourself I was referring to getting her used to being in the water so she can start stage 1 with the other kids. You’re the one wincing at the cost of 1 to 1 lessons.