Help .... can't make a decision on this ...

[DecisionsDecisions]

DD goes to a Summer Camp - Monday's activity is going swimming at a local pool. I feel really uncomfortable with it - she's 4.5 and a non-swimmer although pretty sensible. I've been assured by the organisers that there will be one adult to two children although I don't know if the adults will be in the pool or if they're allocated specific children - I assume/would hope so. They will be in a toddler pool. I don't know whether there are any children not going but do know that her 'best' friends are going. She doesn't know about it but will feel really left out if I don't give permission.

I just feel really uneasy. So am I being an over-protective parent or should I sign the form and let her go? Advice appreciated!!

I thought pool rules were generally one adult to one child under 8?

My local pool is one adult to two children.

Definitely one adult to two children at ours. I think I'm worrried cos she's only ever been swimming with DH or myself - she just seems very young to go with a group. Anybody?

Bumping .... anyone have a view on whether, if it was their child, they'd say yes or no?? Thanks!

Well at my son's swimming lesson (he's 5) there's 1 adult teacher to 4 children in the learner's pool. They can touch the floor at all times, and there's also a separate life guard on the look out (looking over the learner's pool and the main pool).

They do seem pretty safe and the only incident I've seen so far is someone getting the talc from their swim hat in their eye

I would say 1 adult to 2 children AND the toddler pool at age 4.5 seems pretty good to me.

(although I confess, I'd be nervous too because I wasn't there, iyswim. I'd probably let her go though and then just fret about it all day )

Ds1 is also 4.5 and goes swimming with dh but I am utterly paranoid and would not trust anyone else to look after him unless I had seen this person in action so to speak.

I'd feel uneasy too, although if they are really going to stay in the toddler pool that should be pretty foolproof (but at my local pool the toddler pool is small and very shallow and wouldn't really entertain my 4.5 yr old for long). My main question would be who are the adults and how qualified/experienced are they? how big is the total group size and age/swimming ability spread? My ds1 is 4.5 and a non swimmer but very confident in the pool (this would make me more nervous, not less, about strangers taking him). He's had unaccompanied lessons but that's a completely different scenario imo, because the instructors are trained in dealing with non swimmers.

I would ask a lot more questions and I think unless I could actually talk in person to the adult who would be responsible for looking after my child in the pool, to reassure myself that they were competent etc, I probably wouldn't allow it.

If it was one of mine i would have to say no as i could not trust anyone 100% to watch them.

Hmm... but surely you trust these people well enough to send them on summer camp in the first place?

I'd have thought the swimming pool would actually be safer in many ways as they would be more aware of the risks and people are extra vigilant in that situation.

Plus, I assume it's a wide age range so some of the other children in the group will be swimmers, so more care can be given to the non-swimmers.

Ask though - find out how it's going to work for your own peace of mind.

Thanks everyone ... I'll sleep on it - again, I think! The pool is only up to my knees to not deep but as you know it's not the depth that's the problem more so if she starts messing around and falls and no-one notices. DH is dropping her up tomorrow so I might specify that she can go but must not be allowed into the big pool, under any circumstances - and also get him to find out who will have responsiblity, ie. pool staff or summer camp staff (think it'll be a mix of both as summer camp wouldn't have enough staff to cover that ratio - and that's what makes me nervous!).

Sigh.

Thanks!

Georgina - yes, I do trust them a lot. She's gone on trips with them in the past and been delivered home safe and sound. It probably comes down to me worrying like mad about her going swimming without one of us for the first time.

My concern if it was a mixed age/ability group was whether the helpers would remember who was competent and who wasn't - these are children they don't know at all. My ds once ripped off his armbands and jumped into the water (out of his depth) when I was momentarily distracted...

ah, I see they do know her. Would feel much happier about that. 'Summer camp' to me somehow suggested a new thing where the staff didn't know her, don't know why!

Well if it's pool staff as well then that's brilliant, as I would have thought all of them would have to have a lifesaving qualification/skills.

I honestly don't think that they would fail to notice her fall with those ratios.

I do perfectly understand why you're worried though, I would worry as well even if perfectly convinced rationally about their safety.

Thanks all - and you're right Georgina about it being better if it's pool staff - hadn't thought about that. Elliott - yes, she's an old-timer there!

Am off to bed now and feeling a bit happier.

Back safe and sound ... and had a ball. Glad I let her go but can't say I rested easy all day!

Thanks for all the good advice