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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To want a beginners swim teacher to be IN the pool with 5 yr olds?

20 replies

spikemomma · 06/05/2011 20:32

First lesson today, 5 non swimmers, 1 teacher barking orders at side of pool with no physical help to straighten floats etc.

One child went under water twice and she didn't even notice. Another child was so nervous that he couldn't climb into pool, she didn't help him and he ended up going into the adjacent class, who's instructor was in the pool.

I just feel at that age the first few lessons could make or break their confidence. Do you think this is acceptable?

OP posts:

FurKnickersAndNoCoat · 06/05/2011 20:33

i would want the teacher in the pool too so I don't think you are BU. In fact everytime I see lessons taking place at our pool the teacher always IS in the pool

EldonAve · 06/05/2011 20:35

Where was the class?

Crysalis · 06/05/2011 20:35

v.irresponsible teaching. i'd have been in there with them or had an assistant in with them. yanbu

mossi · 06/05/2011 20:38

Find somewhere else. Not acceptable in my book. It sometimes seems that there is only one option in a town, but if you look around you'll find alternatives. My 5 yr old has lessons in a deep pool but the teacher is in the water and when she has gone under has been there like a shot. Would recommend 9am classes on saturday mornings. Invariably half the class don't make it and it ends up being 2-3 to a class.

jubilee10 · 06/05/2011 20:38

Before my son started swimming lessons I checked that the instructor went into the pool with them, I could watch from the side, how many children were in the class and what would be expected of them. I don't think you are BU or that it is acceptable.

maxpower · 06/05/2011 20:39

my DD (4.10) goes to swimming lessons - 8 in the class, 2 of them (including her) are non-swimmers. instructor isn't in the pool with them, but is great at giving them instruction and he will demonstrate and works with them to get them in the right positions etc. not sure if it's a conscious thing that he isn't in the pool (him being an older man with a bunch of 4-6 yr olds) but the children are doing really well.

lesley33 · 06/05/2011 20:40

Most beginning swimming lessons I have seen, the teacher is at the side of the pool. But teacher should notice if child is going underwater! It is often easier to keep a close eye out on a group of children if you are at the side of the pool and out of it, than in the pool.

Crysalis · 06/05/2011 20:43

ASA guidelines: www.swimming.org/assets/uploads/library/Safe_Supervision_filedoc.pdf

"TEACHING FROM THE POOLSIDE
In the situation where the teacher has responsibility for groups comprising more than two pupils the recommended teaching position is from the side of the pool as this provides the best position to oversee the whole group in terms of safety and to provide appropriate feedback on the performance
of each person in the group.

This does not preclude a teacher being in the water to assist pupils either on a 1:1 or 1:2 basis or as an assistant to the class teacher. In fact for groups of more than two pupils a fully qualified teacher on the poolside supported by an assistant in the water may be ideal.

It is recognised, however, that in some circumstances the teacher will have assessed the risk and may feel it is more appropriate to teach from within the water. For groups of more than two pupils this should only be considered after carrying out a risk assessment giving careful consideration of all the potential factors.

Factors to take into account include those identified above particularly pool depth, ability of pupils and the use of flotation aids. At all times the teacher must be able to clearly see all pupils and be close enough to provide physical support should this be required. In this way it may be practicable to
supervise up to four pupils, ratios greater than this should not be considered unless additional helpers are available in the water."

it seems that an assistant is recommended.

seeker · 06/05/2011 20:45

If a child gets into difficulties who would get there quicker - a teacher on the side of the pool who could run and jump in next to the child, or a teacher in the water who hd to wade or swim?

magicmelons · 06/05/2011 20:48

yanbu, dds teacher is in the pool, she is 6 and she can swim. He only ever has one or 2 swimming alongside each other in the pool at anyone time so risk of not being able to reach them.

Crysalis · 06/05/2011 20:55

seeker no teacher would "run and jump"! if there was an emergency, from poolside you'd slip in and swim to the child. yes, range of sight from poolside might, in some circumstances, be better, but there should always be a lifeguard on duty and teacher in pool with beginners is often safer and more relaxing for the children.

skaen · 06/05/2011 21:10

I taught swimming for a while when at University. When I was learning to teach, the course tutor was absolutely adament and determined that you should never ever get in the pool, as it was difficult to keep track of everyone.

I qualified, starting teaching and after my first class was gently pulled on one side and told it would actually be much better to be in the pool with the 5yos. I found it much easier. Is the teacher fairly newly qualified because it might be worth having a word....

Original poster

spikemomma · 06/05/2011 21:31

Thanks for your responses. Chrysalis that info is really helpful and has made me less agitated and more objective, thanks. Seeker - I get your point as that's what was going through my thoughts at the time.

The poolside has viewing advantage Points and may be quicker to access a child in difficulty, but, there were two life guards watching the pool.

My issue is, surely having a person in the pool makes a significant difference to a beginner's confidence. Showing them what they are meant to be doing with their bodies, adjusting floats so they can get into the right position, lifting their heads up, if they slightly sink... Not a lot, just enough to get them going, even at least for the first couple of lessons.

One boy kept going into the side and had an unbalanced float, it was so frustrating to watch, had some one been in with him they could have just guided him a bit and he'd have done well. The teacher was pretty un pleasant. What a shame.

OP posts:

feedthegoat · 06/05/2011 21:35

Look for a different swimming class if you are not happy.

Ds is in the second stage class now but they still have 2 assistants in the water with them. The teacher stands at the poolside.

DiscoDaisy · 06/05/2011 21:39

None of my 5 children have learnt to swim with a teacher in the pool. They've all learnt with the teacher on the side of the pool.

gybegirl · 06/05/2011 21:39

It sounds more like the case that the teacher just isn't very good!

My DD is a non-swimmer (well actually a partial swimmer now ). Her teacher has three in the class and teaches from the side. She explains everything clearly and gets them to swim along the side of the pool so she can adjust their positioning if required. She'll also get them out to explain stuff or demonstrate on the side of the pool. In short, she takes no prisoners and gets them to work really hard, but is great at her job!

Original poster

spikemomma · 06/05/2011 21:42

Thanks skaen. I think what you were told seems right. Being on the side does work best with people with a good level of comprehension, but very young beginners I think, need a guiding hand in the water to get them started.

To hear the little boy say to his mum "it was ok, but I had to save myself twice" was a bit of a shame!

Wish we'd been in the other class, as teacher was in the water, the boy who moved into that class stopped crying and said he enjoyed it. I think the kids enjoyed it, but the adults were pulling their hair out watching them!

OP posts:

caughtinanet · 06/05/2011 21:42

Where my DCs learnt some teachers went in and some stayed on the side, I assumed it was a matter of personal preference of the teacher. I've never witnessed a problem under either method or any difference in the willingness of the children to get in the water.

As long as you are happy that the pool is being properly run I wouldn't worry about it.

PorkChopSter · 06/05/2011 21:49

One of the teachers at our pool is allergic to the (compulsory) swimming hats and can't adjust goggles or touch the children. She teaches from the side. Occasionally she'll poke a stick pole in if one is under the water, but I do wonder what would happen if she had to rescue one.

I much prefer the teacher in the water.

Original poster

spikemomma · 06/05/2011 21:58

Think you're right gybe girl, a good teacher would make it work either way.

You've all been fantastic and made me work out my frustration. I just think her 'bedside manner' is rubbish and my expectation was, as a rule of thumb, for a 5yr old beginners class teacher to be in the water. Actually, this may not be the case, what is, is to have a responsive good teacher, who can address a beginners needs in or out of the water.

I think next week I'll have a different view on it and see how things progress. Funnily enough, my child seemed ok, but it's just sad to see little one's struggling when there's no need. It should be fun for them.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond, i feel my angst has gone! X

OP posts:

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