Swimming Lessons by local authority - what is your area doing?

[Notjustamum10]

We've just heard that swimming lessons for non-swimmers (pre-school, p1) will not be starting back up in our local authority area as instructors will need to remain on the pool side to allow social distancing - apparently this is a Scottish Government rule. Am pretty gutted about this as DC have not been swimming for over a year now. I haven't been able to take them swimming myself as our local pools only reopened after the 1st lockdown for lane swimming, so non-swimmers were not permitted.

Swimming is a potentially life-saving skill, so surely non-swimmers should be priority for lessons recommencing?

Can I ask what is happening in your local authority area?

Not sure about primary. Borders here. Pre school instructor always been on side. Parent goes in. Limited numbers, pre book place, arrive ready. No lockers available. Other than that started back last week and loved it.

We are in Highland and my 6 year old son has his first lesson since December this week. It's the P1 onwards learn to swim programme and he is still at the first level so pretty much non-swimmers. They started back originally in October so since then the instructor stays at the side of the pool. But that's what happened most of the time beforehand anyway, apart from occasional physical assistance from the instructor.

Pre covid, the classes were about 8 kids but they have gone to alternate weeks only to cut the numbers in half. I assume not all parents took up the places offered as there was only one other kid in his class before Christmas.

I'm not sure because i haven't been in the gym yet to see but they were definitely taking bookings for new lesson blocks. That's a private gym but it will fall under government rules.
Friends kids go for lessons in England at the moment and they have staff in the pool with the youngest ones.

We're Tayside and got back to essonne last Monday. Age 2-3, so parents in the water too. I'm really happy to be back although todays lesson was really busy and had idiot dads not listening and not being careful about social distancing in the pool, assuming its Bank Holiday related!

Edinburgh starting back basically as they were in December. I was surprised they were doing the pre-school classes with adults in the pool as it's impossible to distance.

Ours are starting back. For preschool class parents in with children. There is enough room in the section of the pool to spread out.

DD is one level up from beginner and the teacher will be at the side of the pool.

Thanks, that's really interesting feedback, and quite different approaches in different areas! Our authority doesn't seem keen to start back lessons at all - the cynic in me suspects it is more economical for them to keep staff on furlough for longer. There have been no lessons at all since March 2020, now lessons are starting back up but for swimming improvers only. I'd be happy getting in the pool to assist my non-swimming kids but I suppose this would reduce group sizes.

We're with Edinburgh Leisure and all age groups are back to lessons. System in place is the same as before the Christmas shut down. Parents go in the water with the under 3.5. The independent swimmers from 3.5 and older can have parents in to help change but we have to do it poolside and have masks. My oldest is P2 and we're still allowed to help, but i think the group above has to change without parents in.

Falkirk- no beginner lessons at all , my club ready swimmer is back to very small (& short) lessons - arrive "beach ready" no showers after, no rookie
We do have family swimming though.

Going to have to look into private lessons for my beginner.

East Dunbartonshire, no idea on lessons unless you already had lessons or were on the waiting list before lockdown 1!

We do theoretically have family swims in the teaching pool (shallow) but I've not managed to get close to booking one yet as a non-member as they've sold out by the time non priority booking opens!

Plenty of availability for lane for grown ups though!

West lothian back to normal, or as 'normal' as they were in December. Instructors have always been poolside for 3yrs upwards for us though.