Question 1

What age should my child start lessons?

Accepted Answer

Our swim lessons are available for children 2 months and up. No matter what age your child is, it is NEVER too late to start swim lessons. In the event you can't get in with us, we recommend that while waitlisted with us you enrol at another local swim school as any water exposure, is better than no water exposure.

Question 2

What is your instructor ratio?

Accepted Answer

We provide small, intimate class sizes to help ensure a safe environment for your child to learn to swim. All our classes have a maximum of 3 children per instructor, regardless of age or ability.

Question 3

How long does each lesson go for?

Accepted Answer

Our lessons are 30 minutes long.  We’ve found this to be the optimum length of time for focused learning and fun for young children.

Question 4

What qualifications and training do your instructors have?

Accepted Answer

All our Aquatic Educators have completed a minimum of 80+ hours of intensive classroom and in-water training in the Swimtikes teaching method and philosophy. All Aquatic Educators have obtained CPR and First Aid training, hold a Working With Children card and either hold multiple qualifications or are working towards gaining further certification in specialist areas including Basic Sign Language, Coaching, Trauma Aquatics, and much more via recognized training providers. Our instructors continue to participate in regular in-house and in-water training sessions and are regularly evaluated for quality assurance, in addition to attending state, national and international conferences held by the peak swimming bodies.

Question 5

How long will it take for my child to learn to swim?

Accepted Answer

There is no definitive answer to this as every child is uniquely different, and brings with them a unique aquatic history prior to joining lessons with us, as well as their own personalities, learning styles and concerns. Other influences outside a child's control that can impact the learning process are;
- Inconsistent attendance
- Not utilising makeups, and free additional lessons on offer
- Consistently being late for the start of lessons and missing vital skills practice
- Letting the child not attend lessons if they are struggling with a skill/confidence, instead of working with their aquatic educators to put a supported progress plan in place.
- The consistent and over use of floatation aids (jackets, arms bands, floaties, backpacks, noodles, rings etc) for hours outside of lessons
- The reinforcement of habits such as swimming with their eyes out and a vertical body position through hours of play outside of lessons
- The use of force by well meaning families members trying to 'teach' them at home, which create broken trust, hesitation and in some cases fear

Question 6

When should my child finish lessons?

Accepted Answer

RLSSA (Royal Life Saving Society Australia) recommend that children should stay in swimming lessons long enough to at least achieve the 50-metre swim and 2-minute float national benchmark as a bare minimum. And we agree!

The sad reality is that in Australia according to RLSSA data, only 60% of 12 year olds can achieve the 50-metre swim and 2-minute float national benchmark. 
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Swimming across a backyard pool in a thrash about play format is very different from having to swim back to the closest edge/bank in a much larger body of water such as a public pool/lagoon or dam. Adding in moving water with varying temperatures and cold spots such as lakes, rivers and beaches add a whole other level of difficulty.

When considering stopping lessons with us or any other provider, please consider if your child is even close to reaching the national benchmark to be considered safer in the water.

Question 7

What if my child is not progressing?

Accepted Answer

We always aim to challenge children and continually make progress when possible. However, progress may not always be continuous. It can come in spurts and children will occasionally plateau in their learning. Sometimes, they may even appear to regress. It is not uncommon for some skills to take a while to master, particularly if they are learning a new or difficult skill or combining multiple skills together. Being patient and trusting the process is important, but if there are specific concerns, they can be addressed with your child's Aquatic Educator or the manager. It’s also important to remember that children are accomplishing something by maintaining their existing skills. Many younger children will regress if lessons and regular practice are not continuous or stop for more than a couple of months.

Frequently Asked Questions