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Original poster

How would you interpret this...Is it me?

34 replies

YourNameGoesHere · 03/07/2023 18:47

I have enquired at our local swimming pool about lessons and they got back to me today. Apparently I have misunderstood what the wording on the signage means.

Exact wording taken from the giant sign in the lobby of the pool is as follows:

Pre-school swimming lessons for children aged 3-5

A class for 3-5 year olds to gain water confidence and some initial experience of being in a class environment without a parent or carer. Emphasis is on the development of basic swimming skills and water confidence through fun and games.

So what would you expect from this class.

OP posts:
MichelleScarn · 03/07/2023 18:49

Some classes parent/carer goes in water but not all?

Ouch4321 · 03/07/2023 18:49

The kids, aged 3-5, go in the pool with an instructor to learn basic swimming skills and parents sit at the side?

Littlemisssunshine31 · 03/07/2023 18:50

You get them ready and then drop off and they go in without you? Sounds similar to what DD attends age 4. She’s currently swimming 5metres without floats

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

3 year olds
MichelleScarn · 03/07/2023 18:51

Actually probably what everyone else had written!

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 03/07/2023 18:53

Group class for 3-5 Yr olds, no parents in the water, learning water confidence and very basic swim skills like floating / kicking with a noodle. Parents in whatever viewing area is normal for your pool - ours is behind a window, no one allowed poolside.

Kingsparkle · 03/07/2023 18:55

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 03/07/2023 18:53

Group class for 3-5 Yr olds, no parents in the water, learning water confidence and very basic swim skills like floating / kicking with a noodle. Parents in whatever viewing area is normal for your pool - ours is behind a window, no one allowed poolside.

I agree with this.

pippinsleftleg · 03/07/2023 18:55

Children aged 3-5 in the pool without parents

Gothambutnotahamster · 03/07/2023 18:56

Ouch4321 · 03/07/2023 18:49

The kids, aged 3-5, go in the pool with an instructor to learn basic swimming skills and parents sit at the side?

I thought this.

massiveclamps · 03/07/2023 18:56

What they all said.

Original poster
YourNameGoesHere · 03/07/2023 18:58

Right so it's not my crap reading comprehension at all then, I was beginning to think she was taking the piss as it seems so clear!

However on the phone she sounded beyond confused as to why I thought it would be a class where the adults didn't actually go in with the children. Apparently the adults have to be in the water to help the children and the instructors stand on the side of the pool and they don't do classes for children being alone in the water until they are over 5. Confused

OP posts:
Chuffy22 · 03/07/2023 18:58

Yes, children in the water with parents watching, however pre schoolers aren’t usually five year olds so it’s a bit confusing. I would have thought pre schoolers were pre reception age.

massiveclamps · 03/07/2023 19:00

So where does the bit about 'being in a class environment without a parent or carer' come in then?

Confused
Littlemisssunshine31 · 03/07/2023 19:00

I mean it literally says ‘without a parent or carer’ … are you sure she’s right?!

Kingsparkle · 03/07/2023 19:00

How baffling OP! I wonder if it’s a typo on their sign? I did think 3 was a bit young to be without a parent in the pool but nothing wrong with your comprehension.

VisionsOfSplendour · 03/07/2023 19:01

How did she explain the wording that is the opposite on the sign?

Original poster
YourNameGoesHere · 03/07/2023 19:02

massiveclamps · 03/07/2023 19:00

So where does the bit about 'being in a class environment without a parent or carer' come in then?

Confused

Honestly not a bloody clue I was going round and round in circles explaining exactly what the sign says, I know the exact wording because a took a picture of it so I could enquire after we had left the pool and she was adamant none of their classes allow children under 5 into a pool unaccompanied by a parent or carer.

OP posts:
ANewAdventure · 03/07/2023 19:02

It says “some initial experience of” - I read it as parents in the water, but they’ll include bits where you sit on the side of something. But also I wouldn’t expect a class including 3 year olds to not have parents in the water.

I would try to find one with instructors in the water if you can (whether or not parents are), I’ve found that better.

wildfirewonder · 03/07/2023 19:04

It's not you OP, that message literally says some initial experience of being in a class environment without a parent or carer

HVPRN · 03/07/2023 19:05

My son began swimming lessons at 3y. He was in the water, instructor on the side, me watching from the bench at the side of the pool.

I read the signage the same as others.

AromanticSpices · 03/07/2023 19:08

You're not wrong to read it as that. However my DD did a similar one and the parents were in the water with them for the first term or so. I guess it depends on the class.

Original poster
YourNameGoesHere · 03/07/2023 19:12

AromanticSpices · 03/07/2023 19:08

You're not wrong to read it as that. However my DD did a similar one and the parents were in the water with them for the first term or so. I guess it depends on the class.

See I wouldn't mind that but she was so adamant that no under 5s could do classes at all without a parent in the water I felt like saying well what's the point in the lessons then if I'm going to need to be in the water at all times. She was also quite curt with me in implying I was lying about what the sign said.

OP posts:
massiveclamps · 03/07/2023 19:45

Email a screenshot to them and ask for clarification.

Original poster
YourNameGoesHere · 03/07/2023 20:14

massiveclamps · 03/07/2023 19:45

Email a screenshot to them and ask for clarification.

I'm definitely going to email, that's a very sensible next step to see if they can explain why the sign in no way resembles what they say they actually offer as it seems incredibly misleading to me.

I'm also pleased to see it's not just me who would expect the lessons to be as I thought they would, with an instructor in the water and parents at the side and reassuring to read others have found lessons which would provide what I'm actually looking for which is a class where the parents don't have to always be in the water.

OP posts:
Original poster
YourNameGoesHere · 04/07/2023 17:00

For anyone still interested I emailed this morning including a picture of the sign and have had a generic response back basically saying the signage gives an outline of the classes for under 5s and for more information about booking onto one of their classes please ring the pool for more details. So very helpful.

I am still none the wiser if it is the signage that is wrong and they don't in fact offer classes for under 5s where a parent doesn't have to be in the water or if they do offer such classes and the women I spoke to was misinformed about the classes and their requirements.

Not sure it's worth continuing to pursue the issue but equally I'm not going to be the last person confused by the wording. I'm guessing I'll just have to look for different classes at another pool and hope they offer more clarity with how they organise their classes.

OP posts:
massiveclamps · 04/07/2023 21:17

Reply and say that the reason you emailed was because you'd already spoken to somebody in person about it, and their response didn't correspond with what the sign says, so could you please have a definitive answer for clarification.