FAQ - SWIM TO KEARY

FREQUENTLY ASKED Questions

How old does my child need to be to take class with you?

Kids who are 3 years old or older by the first day of class may enroll in my 9-day intensive.  Kids who are 2 years old minimum by the first day of class may enroll in my Parent & Child Pre-intensive. If you have an older child who has not yet learned to swim I can tailor my approach to your child's age and level of development.

How much does it cost and are there sibling or group discounts?

Class Cost:

9-day Private Intensive (1 swimmer) - $825
9-day Group Intensive (3 swimmers) - $550 each swimmer
9-day Private P&C Pre-intensive (1 parent/child couple) - $825
9-day Group P&C Pre-intensive (3 parent/child couples) - $525 each child after $25 per child group discount (you must bring your own group of three and enroll together)

Sibling or Friend Group Discounts:

9-day Group Intensive - $25 discount per child enrolling as a group of 2 or 3
9-day Group P&C Pre-intensive - $25 discount per child enrolling as a group of 3

Discounts are only applied for groups who enroll together at the same time; no discounts may be applied after you are enrolled.

For group intensives if you are enrolling one child I will place two other children in their class to form a group of three, or if you are enrolling as a group of two I will place a third child with your two to make a group of three.

How long is each class?

I leave a 15-minute time slot for each class in a 9-day PRIVATE intensive or pre-intensive and a 30-minute time slot for each class in a 9-day GROUP intensive or pre-intensive, but the physical and psychological state of each child may affect when we end class.

How many kids are in a class?

The PRIVATE intensive or pre-intensive have 1 child in the water with me.  The GROUP intensive or P&C pre-intensive have up to 3 children together in the water with me, which can create a social environment that can add to the experience and help hesitant kids overcome their fear as they see the other kids attempting to follow instructions.

Are kids in the same class generally the same age?

Kids of different ages and development may be grouped together in one class. I work with one child at a time while the others are resting on the steps. What I do with each child on their respective turn with me depends on their level of development, so I focus on building each child’s skills individually. Each child is different and may progress faster or slower than another child, so always compare your child’s progress with where they started, not with that of another child.

Do parents get in the water with the kids?

In the 9-day intensive kids are in the water with me as parents watch a live feed video monitor from a separate nearby viewing area that keeps parents out of sight of the kids. This lets the kids know their parent is not far away while allowing the kids to keep their focus on the water where it needs to be. On the last day of each intensive I invite parents into the water as well so they can learn how to reinforce their child’s instruction beyond their session with me. By the end of class I will have built a lot of trust with your child, and that trust can be transferred to you as your child sees that they can swim to you, or to others, not just to me.  For the 9-day Parent & Child Pre-intensive each child has a parent or guardian is in the water with them.

Should I put sunscreen on my child?

Rather than sunscreen I recommend having your child wear a UV protected rash guard. I don’t allow sunscreen in the pool because even “waterproof” sunscreen can wash off in the water and can get in the kids’ eyes and burn. Most of the pool is covered by canopies, so the kids are mostly in the shade during lessons. If your child has very fair skin you can apply some to their face and neck, but please apply it before getting in your car to come here – most sunscreens recommend applying at least 30-45 minutes before going into water to be effective.

Is the pool heated?

Yes, the pool is generally heated to 90-93 degrees, giving the kids a comfortable environment and increasing their enjoyment of the experience.

Is the pool chlorinated?

My pool has a saltwater system that feels nicer on the skin and helps avoid that strong chlorine smell after swimming. Saltwater or saline pools may need to have some chlorine added periodically, but the salt produces most of the chlorine.

Is class still on if it’s raining?

Yes; we only cancel class if there is lightning. The method I use is effective largely because of the consistency of instruction. Your child takes cues from you, so show them how important learning to swim is by encouraging them to go to swim class every day.

Should my child still come to class if they are sick or have a runny nose?

If they have seasonal allergies causing a runny nose they can come to class. If they are sick or have a high fever then they should stay home and rest and we’ll get them back into class as soon as they’re better. If they miss several days due to illness and I think they need more skill development at the end of the session I will generally try to find additional days and times to bring them back free of charge so I can get them where they need to be.

Can I drop my kids off and come back after class ends?

No. Children need to have an adult caretaker on site with them while they are in class; that adult can be a parent, relative, nanny or other caretaker. If it won't be you then please let me know the name and relation of the adult who will be here during your child's lesson.

How can I prepare my child for the lessons, especially if they are nervous?

Being nervous to do something new is a completely normal reaction for any age. Children are very sensitive to and can be affected by our moods and feeling. If you show that you’re nervous about your child’s swim lessons then they may get more nervous. Likewise, if you have a positive attitude and show them that you are excited about their swim lessons then they can pick up on that and it may help them to feel the same way. Each day before coming to swim lessons try to get them excited about class and let them know how proud you are of the effort they’re putting in. Children feel more safe and secure when they have structure, so letting them know that they need to listen to Keary and do what he is asking them to do can help them feel more comfortable in class.

What do I need to bring to class?

Please bring a towel, rash guard and a swimsuit or reusable swim diaper if your child is potty training. If you need to get a reusable swim diaper I suggest looking for Finis brand; they have elastic around the waist and legs.

Can my child wear goggles during lessons?

No. We do not use goggles during lessons because I’m trying to get the swimmers to be comfortable with the feeling of being underwater with their eyes open. If they ever fall into water unexpectedly, they most likely won’t be wearing goggles; they need to get used to that feeling so they can stay calm and get themselves back to the edge when needed.

Can my child wear floaties during lessons?

No. If a child ever falls into a pool after having gotten used to swimming with floaties, their body may not recognize the experience of being in water without the floaties, which could cause them to panic and sink more quickly. Also, when wearing floaties the body is forced into an upright position, a position we practice avoiding in favor of swimming in a horizontal position to propel the body through the water with the greatest conservation of energy.

What if my child cries and doesn’t want to continue?

Children often do cry in the first few days of class, and it’s a perfectly normal and developmentally appropriate reaction. Being in a new environment learning a new skill with a teacher they are just getting to know can be unsettling at first. Once they get to know me and see that they’re safe with me, they can turn the corner and start focusing on their feeling of accomplishment. Initially feeling cautious or scared about swimming is a healthy instinct, but the way to help them through that fear is to empower them with the sense that they are succeeding and don’t need to be afraid anymore. I’m a parent too, and I understand how hard it can be to see your child upset; encourage them to keep trying and those feelings can turn into joy and excitement as they learn how to swim.

What if my child gets out of the pool?

If you see that your child is getting out of the water please do not shout out to them or come over to comfort them, which can have the unintended affect of making them more anxious that they can't stay with you. If any child gets out of the pool I will gently help them back into the water. If you need to come to your child because they need to go to the bathroom, do it as quickly as possible, immediately walk them back to the pool, give them a hug or a kiss and tell them to get back in. If they are upset don’t try to rationalize with them or talk too much about it, just take them gently by the hand, walk them back, let them know you’ll be watching, and remind them to stay in the pool until Keary says it’s time to get out. They might be upset or complain, but if you are consistent they can quickly come to understand that they don't have the option of ending their swim lesson early.

What is your teaching method?

I combine two methods of teaching. The first is the “No Nonsense Method” or “Bradbury Method” based largely on understanding the developmental level of the swimmer, building trust between swimmer and teacher through consistency, and discovering how much to challenge swimmers beyond their comfort zone so they can learn and grow while keeping them safe and building their confidence. I don’t ever throw kids in the water to get them to swim on their own; I am always right there with them, helping to guide their discovery of how their body works in the water. The second method I use comes from the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program. I have been certified as a Water Safety Instructor, the Red Cross’s gold standard that provides their most comprehensive training for swim instructors. I use elements of my Red Cross training to refine and expand children’s swimming skills and teach them how to be safe in and around the water.

What level of swimming can I expect in a 9-day intensive?

9-day Intensive Goals: Although results vary by child since each child learns and progresses differently, the goals we are reaching for by the end of the 9-day intensive include swimming from the side or steps to me or a parent, getting back to the edge of the pool after entering the water, and swimming to the steps or walking with their hands along the side of the pool to the steps so they can get themselves out of the water when needed. If your child is already doing these things or does them before the end of the intensive then I can work with them on building new skills. What I do with each child depends on his or her level of development. Each child is different and may progress faster or slower than another child, so always compare your child’s progress with where they started, not with that of another child.

9-day Parent & Child Pre-intensive Goals:  The class is designed to help increase children's comfort and confidence in the water and work on skills that will help them segue into my 9-day intensive after they turn 3 years old. For children who have a strong attachment to their parent and are accustomed to being held in the water, the pre-intensive may help them gradually get used to swimming with me in addition to their parent.

What is your cancellation policy?

The $200 retainer fee is non-refundable because it reserves your spot in class, so it will have prevented other families from booking that spot.

What if I need to change my child's class date or time after reserving it?

If you wish to change either your class date or time I must receive your request by three weeks prior to your scheduled class in order for your retainer fee to be applied to a different date or time.  Due to a tight schedule, rescheduling to a different date or time cannot be guaranteed.

What if my child misses a class?

Due to a tight schedule there are no make-ups offered for missed classes.  If a child gets sick during their session causing them to miss several days and I think they need more development, I will generally try to find additional days and times to bring them back free of charge so I can get them where they need to be.

ENROLL IN SWIM LESSONS