To say no to swimming lessons at nursery?

[PattyCow]

We are moving and I went to see a new nursery that we will potentially move DD 2.5 to next autumn. The lady showing us around mentioned that all the children will have swim lessons in their pool. Am I right to feel uncomfortable with this? DD has never had swimming lessons. I'm worried that as they are still building the pool she will be part of the first group through.

My children had swimming at nursery. Fabulous opportunity.

I’d be much more worried about the times the pool is not being used than lesson time.

They will have to follow all the guidelines and safety ratios. They are not going to let your child drown. I would definitely take advantage of that offer if it wasn't too expensive.

My DS was at a nursery with an onsite swimming pool, the lessons were great. I say lessons, more water confidence and fun and games but they were well worth doing.

The pool is in a separate building a good distance from the main nursery building. I'm really not worried about it being a danger when not in use. It's not shallow enough for a 2-3 year old to stand. The entire thing will be over their heads. The lessons are included in the nursery fees so no extra cost. I think I'll ask if I can observe one day when they first start but not on a day DD will be there because if she saw me she'd be confused etc.

I think it sounds brilliant, I was in lessons from 6 months

I teach children swimming who are just turned 3. Tbh, some of them aren't ready. Nothing to do with their swimming ability, but more their listening and following instructions ability. I would prefer to start at 3.5years for independent lessons, but I don't make the rules.

How has your child not already started going to the swimming pool?
Learning to be confident in the water is a massive life plus. My DDs both started in the pool at

My DS did this at their nursery, they had swim instructors and a life guard along with the nursery worker watching on the side. They tend to do small classes for obvious reasons. I had taken mine swimming prior to this so they enjoyed the water. Good idea to observe and ask questions. Water safety and learning to swim are a really important life skill.

Mind, it might be different if it's the nursery teachers they see all day, who all get their swim teacher qualifications; rather than it being a stranger like I am.

Find out some more info before you decide. My children's nursery had a pool and did lessons. They were only about 20 minutes long, done by one of the nursery staff who was specially trained. It was on a one to one basis and was just based on gaining water confidence and play. It was all very safe and different to the bigger group sessions they have when a bit older.