Frequently asked questions
Things to consider before booking a lesson
- We would recommend that you have a look at the “Locations” page on our website to understand the different available pools where we operate, their features, availability and prices. Our booking system will guide you through all the steps that you need to follow in order to book a slot.
The online booking process is very user-friendly and only takes around 10-15 minutes for you to complete the whole process. Please, make sure you won’t be interrupted by your laptop or phone while doing your booking, if you select a slot and you leave the process before completing the payment, it is possible that you won’t be able to find the same slot until approximately three hours later as the system will hold the slot behind the scenes.
In order for us to have your information in place and to give you the right information when it comes to communicating with you, it is very important that you use the SAME adult’s contact information and email every time the system requests your details.
Can I book more than one lesson per week?
- You can book as many “Term lesson” packages as you wish.
- You can also combine a “Term lesson” package with as many extra “One-off” lessons as you wish if you feel like your child needs an extra boost, for example before your holidays.
Can I pay by childcare vouchers?
- We accept childcare voucher payments. We are currently registered with Sodexo, Care-4 and Edenred. If your childcare voucher provider is not listed, please let us know. We are happy to look into registering with other providers where needed.
I would like to enrol a second child, what can I do?
- During your booking process, after selecting the course that you like for the first swimmer, you will find the option to add as many new swimmers as you wish, whether you had an existing swimmer attending our programme or not. Please, check the screenshot to help you better understand how to book more swimmers.
What types of lessons are available?
- Term Package
- Our “term package” is a popular option for regular swimmers who like to keep the consistency in lesson attendance to achieve better results. They run during normal school term time.
- Lessons are booked in advance for the whole term with a fixed day and time. You can book as many “Term package” as you wish.
- Where lessons are started after the term has begun, fees will be charged on a “pro-rata” basis, but we do not accept bookings for part of a term only.
- We often receive great feedback from parents about how safe they felt during their pool holidays with the child around the swimming pool or at the sea.
- It is very common for children attending this “term package” to be in the top swimming group at their school.
- One-off lessons
- Our “One-off ” lesson is a single lesson booked with a fixed day and time. They are the perfect option for:
- Those who want to get a taste of our programme before making a commitment for the whole term. You can book as many One-off lessons as you wish!
- Those families who are not going to attend the full term due to personal circumstances, such as travelling, but still want their child to occasionally attend some lessons.
- Parents who would like to learn how to guide their children in their own individual swimming pool time.
- Crash Course
- London Swim School Crash Courses are offered as an intensive course where swimmers attend at least 1 lesson per day for the duration (although we do offer the option to do One-off lesson at these times where there is availability).
- Parents who wouldOur Crash Course is a popular option for our regular swimmers, occasional swimmers and new swimmers alike. If your child is new to lessons, a Crash Course can be a great way to introduce them to the London Swim School programme and set them off on their swimming adventure with a flying start. Like to learn how to guide their children in their own individual swimming pool time.
- They are usually 4 or 5 days long and are run outside of our normal term times during the school holidays. For example, they may run during the Half Term, Easter Holidays or upon request.
- We often see accelerated progress during these short courses due to the frequent repetition throughout the week. Children learn very effectively in short, frequent intervals. Crash Courses present a great opportunity to focus on anything your child may need to overcome in their regular lessons, such a specific skill that is taking them a little longer to learn or building confidence more quickly.
- For all the different programmes, the fee changes depending on lesson length, the type of lesson: private (1:1) or in a group setting and the location. To know more about the lesson fee please click HERE.
How old does my child need to be to start learning to be safe in the water?
- As young as 3 months old, we have taught babies to float independently in the water.
- As young as 4 months, we have taught babies to complete the ISA’s key Sequence “Rollback-and-Float”. Most of the babies are able to perform this skill once they are strong enough to be able to roll over by themselves on land.
- From around 1 year old, when toddlers start to walk on land, they can learn the ISA’s Key Sequence Kick-Float-Kick (Guided). Guided jumps and divings can be introduced.
- From 2-3 years old, children can learn the ISA’s Key Sequence Kick-Float-Kick (Independent). Independent jumps and divings are taught.
- From 3-5 years old, or when the child is physically strong enough, they can learn traditional swimming strokes.
What is the best option for my child, private or group lessons?
- There is no standard answer to this question if we attend that we are all individuals with unique personalities, different ways of learning, and different needs and goals.
The Water Safety Programme lessons are always 1:1 (one swimmer / one instructor), so every minute of the lesson is active.
The 2:1 lessons are only offered for children aged + 3,5 only in our Ready to Swim programme, where there is another swimmer of similar swimming ability, and stage of emotional development and can match lesson days and times.
Please, read below some of the differences between group and private lessons. - Private lessons (1:1)
- Great for swimmers who need more individualised attention or have trouble staying on task in group situations.
- Lessons are tailored to the individual with the attention required given to reach their full potential.
- Technique can be corrected to the smallest detail.
- The cost of the lessons is higher but excellent results are expected in a shorter period of time.
- Group lessons (2:1)
- Swimmers can be motivated by watching their peers and trying to emulate the skills they are working on or working harder to improve.
- Swimmers can form life-long bonds and friendships with other students in their lessons and feel what it is like to be part of a team working towards a common goal.
- Each individual progresses at their own pace so some waiting time may be expected from one child to another.
- The cost of lessons is more affordable.
Factors that slow down the learning process
- Children attending other activities like ballet sometimes try to copy movements from those classes, eg. the tight, straight “ballerina legs” as opposed to the relaxed legs needed for swimming. We’re not saying you should stop these activities at all – just be aware that there may be some confusion!
Babies, toddlers and children attending the beginners programme, and are in the process of learning how to float, can take more time to learn if they are sitting in the bath at home as they may try to copy the same position at the pool. Some parents have had some success rectifying this by encouraging their child to lay down on their backs and look at the ceiling for bath time. This gets the child used to their ears being under the water as they would be while floating.
Children using scooters with only one leg may find that one leg is stronger than the other and they take more time to balance the strength of both legs.
Children in our Intermediate Level need to master jumps into the water to move up to the next level. If the child doesn’t know how to jump on land, they will spend time of the lesson practising this skill. This is a developmental milestone usually reached at around 2 years old. You can also practise this at home to help things along!
Children in our Advanced Level need to master tumble turns to move up to the next level. If your child hasn’t experienced movements like this on land it may take more time to master the skill. You can practise forward and backward movements at home to help.
Please avoid trying to accelerate your child’s progress teaching arm actions or other skills that the instructor isn’t yet working on. Please trust the Programme as jumping ahead before the child is ready can have a negative impact on the child’s progress.
How can I re-book the same slot for the next term?
- Approximately one month before the end of the current term, we will send you an “enrolment” email with a deadline to re-book the same slot that you booked last time. This is what we call “Priority Booking” period where only you can book your current slot.
- After that period, slots will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis – so make sure you secure your slot by booking within the “Priority Booking” period.
Do we need to complete all the levels of the programme?
- This really depends on what skills you are looking for your child to learn.
Please find attached a table detailing the two pathway options side by side for more information on the differences between the Beginner and the Intermediate stages in both our programmes, the Water Safety and the Ready to Swim programmes. The next step after completing any of these options would be learning traditional strokes in the Advanced level.