How to Choose the Best Swim School for Your Family: A Parent’s Guide

Choosing the right swim school for your child is an important decision that can have a lasting impact on their confidence, safety, and love for swimming. With so many options available, it’s crucial to find a program that aligns with your family’s needs and values while providing a safe and fun environment for your child to grow.

At Emler Swim School, we understand how overwhelming this decision can be, so we’ve put together a guide to help you make an informed choice. In this blog, we’ll discuss key factors to consider when selecting a swim school, ensuring your child has the best possible experience from the first splash to performing advanced swim skills.

1. Instructors and Safety Standards

Top Priority: Safety and Qualifications

The most important factors in choosing a swim school are well-trained instructors, a proven curriculum, parent participation, and parent viewing of the lessons.

Why It Matters: Well-trained instructors understand the nuances of teaching children of different ages and skill levels. They also know how to handle emergencies, creating a safer environment for your child. A curriculum ensures that there is a plan for instructors to follow. They have had the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others, not just their own. A curriculum indicates a support system for the instructors and safety measures are in place. 

• Emler Swim School: At Emler, our instructors are trained to teach water safety and swimming skills, ensuring your child is in the best hands. The curriculum is award-winning and has been proven successful for almost 50 years. Layers of protection are in place that include you-a parent or a caregiver being present and viewing the lessons-and the Emler team.

2. Age-Appropriate Lessons and Skill Progression

Find a School that Grows with Your Child

Swim schools should offer a variety of classes that cater to different age groups and skill levels. From infant and toddler classes to advanced swim training, the right school will allow your child to grow and progress at their own pace.

Why It Matters: Age-appropriate lessons ensure your child is learning the right skills at the right time. A swim school with a structured skill progression plan will keep your child challenged and motivated while reinforcing essential water safety concepts. 

• Emler Swim School: A comprehensive program is offered that starts with basic water safety for infants and toddlers and grows into advanced stroke development and competitive swim techniques. Instructors assess each child's progress and adjust lesson plans to fit their needs. Most importantly, emotional readiness and motor skills development are incorporated into Emler’s SwimScript© curriculum.

3. Year-Round Swim Lessons

Consistency is Key

When looking for a swim school, consider programs that offer year-round lessons. Consistent practice is essential for skill retention, and having access to swim lessons throughout the year helps your child stay confident and improve at a steady pace.

Why It Matters: Seasonal swim programs may leave long gaps in your child’s learning, which can slow progress and lead to skill regression. Year-round programs ensure continuous improvement and help keep swimming fresh and fun.

• Emler Swim School: We’re proud to be a year-round swim school with temperature-controlled indoor pools, allowing children to practice and grow their skills no matter the season.

4. Class Size and Student-to-Instructor Ratio

Small Classes Lead to Big Success

Another crucial factor to consider is the class size and the student-to-instructor ratio. Smaller classes ensure that your child gets more personalized attention, allowing the instructor to focus on their individual needs and provide feedback specific to their learning style.

Why It Matters: In smaller classes, children receive more hands-on instruction, which leads to faster learning and better skill development. This is particularly important for younger children who may need extra attention to feel comfortable in the water.

• Emler Swim School: At Emler, we maintain a low student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring your child gets the personalized instruction they deserve.

5. Pool Environment and Facility

Comfortable, Clean, and Safe

A high-quality swim school should have a clean, well-maintained facility with a comfortable pool environment. Heated indoor pools are ideal for year-round lessons, and a shallow pool for beginners can help young swimmers feel safe as they learn.

Why It Matters: Comfortable pool temperature and clean facilities contribute to a positive learning experience. 

• Emler Swim School: Our pools are heated year-round and designed with safety in mind. Taking physical discomfort out of the learning environment and including an intimate, smaller pool setting with bright colors and positive instructors creates an ideal setting for effective learning. A clean, welcoming facility makes swim lessons enjoyable for kids and stress-free for parents.

6. Curriculum Focused on Water Safety

Beyond Just Swimming: Teach Essential Safety Skills

While learning swim strokes is important, water safety should be the foundation of any good swim program. The best swim schools incorporate water safety education, including floating, treading water, and understanding pool rules.

Why It Matters: Knowing how to swim is only part of staying safe in the water. Teaching children how to react in different aquatic environments can help prevent accidents and save lives.

• Emler Swim School: We make water safety a priority in every class. From day one, children are taught essential safety skills to help them feel secure and prepared in any water setting. These skills include safe entry and exit, floating, treading, and waiting on permission to enter or start their swim turn.

7. Parent Involvement and Communication

Open Communication Creates a Supportive Environment

A swim school that requires parents to stay during the lessons, encourages parent involvement, and keeps communication open is key to creating a positive learning experience. Whether it’s progress updates or providing tips for practicing at home, schools that engage parents help foster a sense of community, safety, and support.

Why It Matters: As a parent, you want to know how your child is progressing. Swim schools that keep you in the loop and offer ways to reinforce lessons at home can enhance your child’s growth and make lessons more effective.

• Emler Swim School: Parents are required to stay during lessons to help keep an eye on their students for safety at Emler. Parent communication is built into every lesson poolside, and regular updates on progress are provided. In addition, team members are available to discuss goals, answer questions, and offer tips for practice outside of class.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Swim School for Your Family

Choosing the best swim school for your family is more than just convenience—it’s about finding a program that prioritizes safety, offers skilled instruction, considers motor skills development and emotional readiness, and fosters a love for swimming that lasts a lifetime. By considering factors like certified instructors, parent participation, class size, year-round lessons, and water safety focus, you can make an informed decision that benefits your child’s growth and well-being.

At Emler Swim School, we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and fun environment where children can develop strong swimming skills and a lifelong love for the water. Whether your child is just starting or looking to advance their skills, our year-round program has everything you need to ensure their success.

Ready to make a splash? Contact us today, 855-232-2006, to schedule a free trial lesson and see why Emler Swim School is the best choice for your family!