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Original poster

Swimming lessons - refund

31 replies

Spottybotty20 · 05/03/2022 10:23

Dd age 4 has started swimming lessons, we were told that due to covid restrictions (not England) that parents can’t come poolside but they hoped this would change soon.

Dd has had 2 lessons and we have had short videos sent of the lessons - in all but one clip she is clutching the wall and looking unhappy, my husband thinks this is me projecting but I know dd.

During changing last week they said that the covid restrictions aren’t the issue, they are just finding it much better without parents poolside, so it will continue.

Dd is now begging not to go is saying she “is not brave enough” and has had a few nightmares about being in water.

I dont want to send her again, but I also think I should ask for my money back - as I thought the whole point was water confidence and she is getting more and more nervous. It’s close to £100 for the term of 8 more lessons.

OP posts:
EmpressCixi · 05/03/2022 10:28

Sorry your DD isn’t taking to swimming. I think you could ask for a refund of the 6 lessons you won’t be attending due to her water fears if you are determined to cancel. I will say it is quite normal for them to be afraid the first few lessons. Mine stuck it out and swim like fish now. Swimming is an essential life skill so if you do cancel, be sure to have a talk with your DD that one day she will learn to swim and you’re happy to wait until she’s a bit older. Do you take her swimming yourself? I find that helps confidence more than anything.

EmpressCixi · 05/03/2022 10:29

Sorry misread, yes I think asking for a refund for the 8 more lessons is suitable.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 05/03/2022 10:32

Have you done parent and child lessons with her?
But having seen the Stage 1 lessons when my elder DDs have their lessons I can say a child being nervous the first few times is normal.

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Bea8416 · 05/03/2022 10:35

My son refused to get into the water for the first two lessons, however, parents are allowed poolside and he was encouraged to put his feet in, etc. He started in November and is progressing so well but he certainly wouldn’t have done if we weren’t allowed nearby. I would definitely ask for a refund and explain the reasons behind it and perhaps look for a pool where parents are allowed and see if this makes a difference.

GeneGenie123 · 05/03/2022 10:42

I would ask for a refund. I have 3 young children who all do swimming lessons. For the ages around 4yrs some children would be in the water on their own and others would have a parent with them in the water (during the same lesson).
It’s definitely a transitional age and some children will be nervous so I think it’s important to have the parents there with them if they need it. As they get a bit older and more confident it then becomes no longer necessary for the parent to be in the water with them.

Original poster
Spottybotty20 · 05/03/2022 10:46

@EmpressCixi I was expecting her to be a bit nervous but not being able to see any of it for myself I can’t see that she’s ok when she gets there etc.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves we haven’t done parent child ones as there hasn’t been any availability (outside school/work hours) since covid.

OP posts:
EmpressCixi · 05/03/2022 10:54

I agree OP. In your shoes I’d wait a year so you can do some parent child swimming and re-enroll her when she is 5. Pools around me are back open, so yours should re open soon too for free swim/child play times.

yikesanotherbooboo · 05/03/2022 10:54

How is she when you take her swimming?

stevalnamechanger · 05/03/2022 10:57

I wouldn't ask for a refund .

I'd start taking her yourself swimming in addition to these lessons .

It's an essential life skill

fucketyfuckwit · 05/03/2022 10:57

How can you not be expect a child to be terrified at that age if you have not taken her swimming yourself??

You need to take her and reassure her to get her confidence THEN you send her to lessons to actually swim.

Jamnation · 05/03/2022 10:58

It's reasonable to ask for a refund of unused lessons. Whether you'll get one I'm not so sure, but it's well worth a go.

It's good you're pull her out now. A lot of damage can be done by having to finish the term, if they are anxious. She's so little, go for fun a little and try again in a year or 2.

Nelliephant1 · 05/03/2022 11:00

Obviously you'll have been taking her swimming way in advance of lessons. How is she then?

gogohm · 05/03/2022 11:03

It's not their fault she isn't ready though - can they transfer her to a parent and child class?

I should add that my kids did swimming classes 12 years ago and parents were not pool side - we sat in the cafe waiting

FairyCakeWings · 05/03/2022 11:10

I would ask for a refund based on the only evidence you have of your dds experience being on video, and her looking miserable and getting little interaction.

The swim school can’t have it both ways. They can’t keep parents out because it’s easier for them, then do nothing but show you a video of a miserable child and expect to be able to keep your money.

They will probably tell you that your dd is fine a lot of the time, but if they won’t allow you to see that for yourself, then they can’t expect you to believe them.

LindaEllen · 05/03/2022 11:33

@Nelliephant1

Obviously you'll have been taking her swimming way in advance of lessons. How is she then?
Obviously you know she hasn't, so why the passive aggressive bollocks?
TrendingNowt · 05/03/2022 11:36

You might get a refund if you argue it from the perspective you were told parents could watch when restrictions changed but now the pool has changed their policy.
I don't think you'll get one based on your child not enjoying the lessons. That isn't their fault.

You could try another with smaller classes where parents can watch.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 05/03/2022 11:37

Stop the lessons ASAP and take her yourself weekly. My 5 year old hasn’t had lessons and we taught him!

rattlemehearties · 05/03/2022 11:40

Is she preschool age 4 or at school? Maybe she's a bit young to do it alone without you nearby. But I'd suggest taking her to the leisure centre for a family swim to get her more used to it.

muchprefersummer · 05/03/2022 12:48

@stevalnamechanger

I wouldn't ask for a refund .

I'd start taking her yourself swimming in addition to these lessons .

It's an essential life skill

This!
MrsPear · 05/03/2022 12:53

I’m sorry @Spottybotty20 are you saying that your child has had zero swimming lessons and is being put in the deep end?!

And this is in England?!

I’ve never heard this - in are our area children who have had zero swimming lessons are put in the shallow end. They can touch the floor. Once they are level 4 they move to the deep end.

I suggest you find a better pool if this is the case. Children do need to learn swimming it’s an important life skill plus what are you going to do, if in England, when she has the school lessons?!

Original poster
Spottybotty20 · 05/03/2022 13:09

@Nelliephant1 we have taken her swimming, but we are in wales and the 3 nearest pools (within an hour) have only been lane swimming and the one with a small pool has had 3 bookable sessions a day that are booked up within mins of being released. I also have a 1 year old so getting a slot on my day off and baby sitting for dd2 isn’t easy.

@MrsPear the council pools have a waiting list of over 700 kids for wave 1 so I’ve booked a private swim school - the pool is 1.2m in the shallow end and she’s 1.2m so not quite enough to reach.

OP posts:
Daneel · 05/03/2022 13:26

Blimey, she's 120cm at 4!? That's off the scale tall. That might well be part of your problem - they're probably assuming she's six or seven. So not being as coaxing/gentle as they would be with the little ones. Try talking to them about how young she is or about getting her transferred to another class in a shallow pool. There's no way a Stage 1 swimmer should be out of their depth anyway.

Original poster
Spottybotty20 · 05/03/2022 14:39

@Daneel I think it might be part of this issue, she’s huge for her age but also speech delayed so she looks older but sounds younger and won’t speak if she can help it. They may not know that she is unhappy but there’s no real chance to tell them as I can’t get past the doors. I’m just sending her in to change and can’t even go up the steps. She’s very good at masking to other adults.

She’s gone this afternoon, I’m going to book to take her myself and ask my dad if he could take her as well (restrictions eased over feb half term so I may get in)

Otherwise there’s a lady that does private 1-1 lessons that might give her the boost to get through these.

I’m just afraid of doing damage and her being put off in the future!

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 05/03/2022 15:13

Can you speak to the swimming teacher first and discuss your concerns?

SpikeDearheart · 05/03/2022 15:22

@Nelliephant1

Obviously you'll have been taking her swimming way in advance of lessons. How is she then?
Clearly you've no bloody idea how hard it has been in some areas to access swimming for small children during the last couple of years thanks to covid restrictions Hmm
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