S/O swim lessons

[Deleted]

Can someone please explain to me how small group lessons work? Our local place offers 1:3 (or 1:2) if it's a sibling set so we're aiming for that...but I mean...one teacher and two 3 year olds in the water...how does that work? Do they really just stay on the edge and take turns? My kids are definitely more cautious than adventurous around water, but I'm still nervous about having one "unsupervised" while the other is working with the teacher...sooo basically tell me it's fine :0P

[lala]

Usually they're pretty strict about the other students sitting on the edge or holding the side if they can stand. There should also be an extra lifeguard who is not teaching lessons on duty.

We've done higher ratios at our cheapo lessons at the pool in the summer, but that end of the pool is only 2', so all the kids could stand easily.

[gennyu]

At the 3 & 4 yo class DS took at the Y, the kids wore bubbles while sitting poolside. The bubbles were taken off when it was each individuals turn in the water, then put back on when the turn was over. All done by one instructor. There were 4 kids in the class.

[abs]

At our swim school classes are either 1:2, 1:3, or 1:4 depending on skill level. There is always a deck monitor watching and will jump in if need be. Sometimes they will bring in an extra teacher if the class warrants it (especially for the 2-3 year olds). The kids really are good about sitting on the ledge while waiting their turn though. It's kind of amazing, really.

[usm]

Ours is done in a huge pool with 12-15 groups going. Younger groups are 1:2-3 and the more advanced groups are 1:4-5. In the younger groups the teacher is rarely more than 4 ft from the students anyway. There are also atleast 4 extra deck people that will walk around and make sure the little ones are where they need to be. Some groups that were more rambunctious ended up having a deck lifeguard stay with them the entire time. it made me nervous at first but it really was great.

[Deleted]

Thank you all for the encouraging words!

[andrewsgal]

Yep they sit on the edge or step. Mine start this class at 18 months. You would be amazed.

[quesyrah]

At our pool there are three lifeguards. One watches both big kid classes (5+) and the other two watch the two 3/4 year old classes (so each lifeguard watches 2 kids). our classes are 2:4 for the little kids

[Kcthepouchh8r]

At the place I went to kids couldn't do group swim without a parent in the water until they could thread water. The kids sat along the edge but if a kid actually fell in they were competent enough to surface/thread water.