learning to swim at school

[whymummy]

my 5 year old son will start swimming lessons at school today and im worried sick,i know is a good thing to learn but i just feel very nervous about it,i wanted to volunteer and help when theyre swimming but i still have dd with me at home so i can`t,do your children learn swimming at school and did you feel like this?

Our school does weekly swimming lessons from Year 1, the kids are walked to the local leisure centre where the lessons are held. There are about 35 children in each swimming class. There is usually two teachers, a classroom assistant and four Mums from the school and two swimming teachers from the leisure centre (although the only ones in the water are the swimming teachers plus a teacher). The Mum helpers are on a rota and I know a few Mums take turns in looking after younger siblings to enable them to do a turn on the rota. The first time they went the children are assessed into two groups depending on swimming ability - I think it is excellent that they have the opportunity to learn at school. I was never too concerned as both of my two could already swim before these lessons started and I knew they could dry and dress themselves and they knew the layout of the leisure centre as they go there for lessons anyway.
Whymummy - are you allowed to go to the pool to spectate or is the pool at school?

Whymummy, I think the school will be very careful about supervision and put your child in a class suitable for ability. Can your little one swim or has been used to pools? My dd aged 6 has been swimming every week since first week of reception, so for 2 years now with school.

thanks for your replies,hes been in swimming pools since a very early age on holidays but always had his little life jacket on,the pool is at school and i couldnt be there with dd,im sure hell be fine im just so worried beign his first day,although your massages have reassured me and like you said theyll be plenty supervision,thanks again!!

Consider yourself lucky, learning to swim is so vital, and it is a skill they will never forget.They will be really well looked after and at least he is used to the water already.

Our school doesn't take them swimming until they reach Year 3, where they then take them down the road to the Holiday Camp to use their pool.

I agree with Crunchie, swimming is just as important as reading and writing and I wish our school took them earlier.

My younger 2 have had swimming lessons since the age of 3, am waiting for a space for DD2 to come up.

thanks! he really enjoyed it and one of the mums was there and told me they were well supervised and all wore armbands,i am over the moon that he`s learning to swim is just that it was his first day and i felt worried!