Asked to leave poolside during 3-yr olds swimming lesson

[vera16]

3-year old DS has been swimming in a pre level one swimming class for about 5 weeks. Parents have always sat on a little bench nearby and helped out kids as required. All very nice and DS really enjoys it. Tonight a pool attendant asked all parents to move to the balcony which is a 2-min walk away back through the building, I didn't feel happy. Sat on the balcony and waved at kids (who were then confused and spent rest of lesson looking for parents on balcony). I then had to watch helpless from balcony as my DS wondered off by himself in the water (no armbands) as the teacher had her back to him sorting out another child. Can't blame the teacher these are 3 yr olds after all. I just had to hope that someone would notice in good time if he slipped and went underwater as there was no way I could have helped him. AIBU to request to speak to the manager about this?

@pangolina you are saying the guidance is 1 adults to 12 3 year olds?! Or have I misunderstood?

Standard for lessons here . If you don’t trust the lifeguards I would find a new pool to have lessons .

My 2 year old has 1 teacher in the pool for 3 children. 1.2m deep pool so they can’t touch the bottom.

She got her 5m badge this week and can jump in and swim to the other side with no issues. I don’t agree with people saying they are too young, if taught properly children can be swimming at 3.

I sit in a separate room with a window so we can see the pool but are not close enough to interfere.

I found my daughter made so much more progress once she moved into the preschool group where I don’t go in the water with her.

It’s quite possible that this really is a parental issue.

Parents are ready to back-off a bit from their kids at different stages. Some want to be in the water, some aren’t comfortable unless very nearby and others are happy to be in the balcony.

You need to choose a pool which offers what you’re comfortable with. You cannot expect a particular pool to adapt to do what you prefer.

As has been said, parents poolside can be a menace. They can be a safety hazard if they contradict what a teacher has told the child or distract children. They won’t be intending to be a hazard, but they can well be. And if not a hazard they can certainly be a distraction. Most swimming teachers would prefer to get on with their job, rather than be having to deal with both children and parents.

Lots of people wait to start lessons until a bit older if they feel their child. Isn’t mature enough to follow instructions or be left with teacher alone. 3 year olds are just past being toddlers and their maturity does vary significantly. Lots of people find that the best thing before about 4 or 5 is simply lots of family swimming time to build water confidence. Then if they start lessons at 4 or 5, they are more ready and make speedy progress. Most parents feel happier about their kids following instructions by then too.

@pangolina

Sorry but you have misinterpreted this. Adult and Child refers to an adult and child pair (ie a parent and their child) participating in the lesson. The recommended ratio is 1 teacher to 12 adult and child pairs. The part you have quoted refers to if the teacher enters the water and then the ratio is 1 adult to two children. For the setup in the OP is talking about, the ratio for non swimmers is recommended to be 6:1 but no higher than 12:1

The teacher was in the water with the 5 kids.

Yes, so that would be each parent with two children, then the teacher instructing.

I don't think there are any parents in the water @pangolina

@Italiandreams

I don't think there are any parents in the water *@pangolina*

Correct

In the swim school we went to, the ducklings were accompanied in the water by assistants (minimum of two, class size had a maximum I think as I never saw more than 8) and the teacher was on the side where she had a good view of all the kids. Parents were poolside because it was a secondary school pool, not a public one with viewing gallery and cafe. There were still two lifeguards on duty, one at each end of the pool.

Your setup sounds a bit different and I would personally be happier if the teacher wasn't in the water (so always had pupils in front of them) and helpers were. It makes for a much safer learning environment. Little children are not the best at keeping focused and can be easily distracted.

Parents definitely best kept at a distance, sorry. Even if they don't interfere they are a distraction for some kids.

There should always be an observation room. Lifeguards are usually standard. In this crazy world it can be very difficult to hand your child over to someone that you only know from what you are told. There are many instances of children being touched inappropriately under the water. With other lessons being taught , the instructors are busy in that case the parent can look over their children along with instructor. If a parent is able to see under water from afar it’s best for the school and parents. Sadly this is another choice a parent has to think of while putting their children in another's care . It saddens me having to bring this to everyone’s attention. It’s not like it can’t happen it’s happened many times before and still is.
I would think a reputable swimming school would protect themselves from any allegations. And most of all having the parents knowing all precautions are in place for the safety of their children . Making a parent rest easy