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Preschool Swim Lessons

These lessons increase student's comfort with underwater exploration and introduces basic self-rescue skills performed with assistance.  Students will explore the aquatic environment, develop basic skills to propel and glide through the water, and learn basic safety practices.

Ages: Three through five years
Class length: 30 minutes

Pricing

Rate: $100

YMCA Members do get priority registration. 

As the community's leader in swim instruction, the YMCA delivers swim lessons and water safety instruction to hundreds of children every year, helping swimmers of all ages gain confidence in the water, overcome fears and build skills to last a lifetime. Our instructors are trained in a nationally recognized swim lesson program and a life guard is always on duty.

Swim Lesson Curriculum:

Stage 1: Water Acclimation

Preschoolers develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. This class is for kids who aren’t yet comfortable going underwater voluntarily. In this class, your child will:

  • Bob to submerge in the water
  • Front and back glide to the wall for five feet with help
  • Front and back float for 10 seconds with help
  • Roll from back to front and front to back with help
  • Jump, push, turn, grab with help
  • Swim, float, swim 10 feet with help
  • Exit the water
Stage 2: Water Movement

Preschoolers focus on body position and control, directional change, forward movement in the water and continue to practice how to safely exit in the event of falling into a body of water. This class is for kids who aren’t yet able to do a front and back float on their own. In this class, your child will:

  • Submerge to look at an object on the bottom of the pool
  • Front and back glide to the wall for five feet
  • Front and back float for 10 seconds
  • Roll from back to front and front to back
  • Jump, push, turn, grab
  • Swim, float, swim five yards
  • Tread water near the wall for 10 seconds
  • Exit the water
Stage 3: Water Stamina


Preschoolers learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance than in previous stages. The class also introduces rhythmic breathing and integrated arm/leg action. This class is for kids who aren’t yet able to swim 10-15 yards on their front and back. In this class, your child will:

  • Retrieve an object in chest-deep water
  • Swim on their front and back for 10 yards
  • Roll from back to front and front to back
  • Jump, push, turn, grab 10 yards
  • Swim, float, swim 15 yards
  • Tread water for 30 seconds
  • Exit the water
Stage 4: Stroke Introduction

Preschoolers learn the front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke kick and butterfly kick. This class is for kids who aren’t yet able to swim 15 yards of front and back crawl. In this class, your child will:

  • Swim the front crawl with rotary breathing for 15 yards
  • Breaststroke kick for 15 yards
  • Butterfly kick for 15 yards
  • Elementary backstroke for 15 yards
  • Dive from a sitting position
  • Tread water using a scissor and whip kick for one minute
  • Swim any combination of strokes for 25 yards

Swim Lessons FAQs:

What if the class I want is full?

We offer waitlists for every swim lesson. You may put your child’s name on the waitlist at no cost.

Calls are made up to the day before classes start if there is an opening or an additional class being added. We do our best to accommodate each student on the waitlists.

Be sure we have your current phone number on file.

How do I determine my child's level?

We offer free swim lesson assessments. To schedule one please email Kaylee. You can also take a look at our swim lesson selector to help aid you in your decision.

What do I need to bring to lessons?

Come already dressed in your swimsuit and please bring your own:

  • Towel
  • Change of clothes
  • Swim Goggles
  • Hair band (if applicable)


For infants and children who are not potty trained we require the use of I-Play swim diapers. We have these available for sale at the front desk if needed.

What are the family/special needs locker room rules?

This locker room is available for adults with small children of the opposite gender, (father/ daughter, mother/son), children enrolled in Childcare, people with disabilities and/or needing special accommodations. We provide private showers, changing rooms, bathrooms, special needs accessible shower, changing area and bathroom. An infant changing station and vanity area is also available.

Guidelines:

  • Co-ed
  • Nudity is not allowed in showers or public part of the locker room
  • Shower usage is restricted to one adult with or without children.
  • Cell phone and camera usage is prohibited.