Swimming pool closing on us

[Gushpanka]

My Dd is 4 and has a swimming lesson 17.30-18.00 at our local pool. It's the last lesson of the day and public swimming ends quite a bit earlier.

They expect us out by 18.15 and staff will stand over us, hurrying us up if we go over. I find it quite stressful and, try as I might, I can't be be out within 15 minutes (unless we skip showering which I don't want to do).

First of all, lesson ends and then have to get kids out the pool. The complex is big so we have to go up a flight of stairs to the showers, along a long corridor and down two flights to the team changing room and then up a flight of stairs to the exit.

I have to shower DD and wash her hair (just a quick wash, no conditioning etc). Then down to changing room (wrapped in towel of course). Then quick moisturize (can't skip as she has dry skin but literally dry her and slather it on as quick as possible), then get her dressed. Obviously no time for hair drying so I bring a balaclava for her (we bike so I would much rather dry her hair). Then coats, boots, winter gear etc.

I never manage in 15 mins. Some of the others do but DD is the youngest in the class and, well, I guess we're just not as fast as others.

But AIBU to think 15 minutes to be out the door after a swimming lesson is too little time? I annoys me that they don't seem to leave enough time but maybe we're just too slow?

They want to go home. 15 minutes is plenty of time. If you can't manage it, shower at home.

Change the time of the lesson or complain

Can the shower and moisturiser really not wait until you're at home? If you're cycling, home can't be that far away.

I’d say 15 minutes is plenty of time I’m afraid.

15 minutes should be plenty. Moisture and shower at home.

In those circumstances you will have to forgo the showering and moisturising and just get dried and dressed.

Or change the lesson time.

Sorry but you are taking liberties. I wouldn't want to do unpaid overtime whilst a child had moisturiser applied! Shower at home or change to an earlier lesson.

You shouldn't have put in in that lesson if you can't get out in time.

Since you have, leave the shower and moisturising to do at home.

I'd change but it's the only class for DD's level.

I don't want to shower her at home as it's already late for her. I like to put her straight in her PJs. Also not so good for her skin.

I am thinking of complaining but if 15 minutes is considered enough time to get out of pool, up to showers, down to changing room, get a 4 year old dressed and ready and out then I'll suck it up.

Also what sort of pool closes at 6?? What if someone fancied an after work swim??

I bet they only get paid until 6pm. I’ve known places where locking up time is not paid.

So you expect people to stay late at work (unpaid no doubt) so you can have the luxury of showering and moisturising your child?? Are you joking or is this a reverse? Surely you can't think that's ok!! YABVU!! Get out of the pool, dried, dressed and then Home to shower and moisturise!!

Skip the shower and have a more leisurely one at home. Or change the lesson time.
Staff may need to get their children from nursery/childminders.

Do quick change into onesie and shower at home.

Biking home in PJs?

Find another class, or find another pool.

This one doesn't suit as showering after is unacceptable to you.

The staff want to go home at the end of their working day, which is entirely reasonable of them. So unless you are able to foot the overtime bill, I think he best solution is for you to leave this class as it does not work for you.

I think if you are to complain it should be that you believe the staff are not being paid for long enough.

I think I would have struggled if I'd have done all that. Perhaps you could ask if t ey have private coaching and get your daughter up to the next level so there's a better time. Much less stress for you as I don't think they're going to change closing time :)

I think if they schedule classes that late, then they should ensure that there is sufficient staffing to allow 10 more minutes to get ready properly. It's not like we do a spa day. Moisturizing takes 2 minutes at most. But obviously when you only have 15 mins then 2 minutes is important!

The point is also that the complex is big. We don't roll out of the pool (and, again, herding the kids out of the pool also takes time, the teachers don't end the lesson right next to the steps) and into the showers and the changing rooms aren't next to the showers either. Going up and dwon flights of steps with a 4 year old cuts into this time too. I don't think that they take this into consideration

15 minutes should be enough... without this:

First of all, lesson ends and then have to get kids out the pool. The complex is big so we have to go up a flight of stairs to the showers, along a long corridor and down two flights to the team changing room and then up a flight of stairs to the exit.

Sounds like an awful set up. Is it a Council-run pool?

I appreciate that you prefer to do the shower, etc. there but do appreciate that you're asking the staff to go beyond their contracted hours which is their livelihood but for your convenience?

I'd be looking to change the lesson myself.

Surely there are showers next to the pool? Most places ask that you shower before going in the water - they can't expect you to go traipsing around the whole complex?

YABU insisting on showering and putting moisturiser on before you leave! Just put her clothes on and cycle home, where she can have a nice warm bath and moisturiser before putting her PJs on. If you have to do all the palaver anyway, why not do it in the comfort of your home? The staff want to leave - I don't blame them for standing over you while you faff about with moisturiser!

15 minutes is more than long enough - it’s your faffing which is making it longer.

Poor staff just want to get home like everyone does at the end of their shift

It's a ridiculous set up: complain to management and ask them to extend opening time to 6.30pm.

Lots of people would want to be dry before getting on a bike and it's not acceptable to have facilities op can't use (showers etc) because of the centre set up.