FAQ’s

Every swim school has a different approach — at Starfish Swim Academy, we welcome babies as early as 6 months old. Early exposure to water can help children develop stronger aquatic awareness, build confidence, and begin learning foundational safety skills. The earlier they are introduced in a structured and supportive environment, the more comfortable and natural the water becomes over time.

Yes! We offer trial swim lessons so you can experience our teaching style before committing to a package. It’s a great way for your child to get comfortable in the water and for us to assess their current level. Trial lessons are priced separately from our lesson packages.

For infants and very young toddlers, we often encourage a parent to join in the water during the first few lessons. This helps create a calm and familiar environment while your child builds trust, comfort, and foundational aquatic skills. As your child becomes more confident and independent, we gradually transition to a more instructor-led approach when appropriate.

If you’re interested in learning how to practice skills with your child between lessons, we’re always happy to provide guidance and teach you how to reinforce techniques safely at home.

It’s completely normal for young children to cry during their first few swim lessons. For many kids, the pool is a new environment filled with unfamiliar sensations — water in the face, a new instructor, separation from a parent, or simply stepping outside their comfort zone.

Crying doesn’t mean your child isn’t capable. It usually means they’re adjusting.

At Starfish Swim Academy, we approach these moments with patience and understanding. We never force a child into anything they’re not ready for. Instead, we focus on:

Building trust with the instructor
Creating small, positive wins
Moving at your child’s pace
Keeping the environment calm and encouraging

Some children benefit from seeing a parent nearby, while others do better with a little space — we tailor our approach to what works best for your child’s personality and learning style.

With consistency, reassurance, and a gentle approach, most children quickly gain confidence. It’s very common to see big improvements within just a few lessons.

The key is patience and trust — and we’ll guide you through every step of the process.

This is one of the most common questions we receive — and the honest answer is: it depends.

Every child learns at a different pace. The number of lessons needed is influenced by several important factors, including:

Your child’s age and developmental stage
Their comfort level in the water
Any existing fear or anxiety
Their starting skill level
Your goals (water safety vs. stroke development vs. swim team readiness)
How frequently they attend lessons

Water Safety vs. Advanced Skills

If your goal is for your child to become water safe — meaning they can float independently, swim short distances, and return to the wall safely — that timeline will look different than if your goal is mastering all four competitive strokes.

Children who are comfortable in the water may progress more quickly than those who are starting from zero or overcoming fear.

Frequency Matters

Consistency makes a big difference. We typically see the best results when children attend lessons 2–3 times per week. Regular exposure helps build muscle memory, confidence, and faster skill development.

Private Lessons vs. Group Lessons

Private lessons allow for focused, one-on-one instruction tailored to your child’s specific needs, often leading to faster progress. Group lessons can be great for social learning, but children may receive less individualized attention.

Yes. All of our instructors are certified in CPR and AED for adults, children, and infants.

We kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson due to illness, vacation, pool maintenance issues, or other unforeseen circumstances. Providing advance notice allows us to adjust schedules and offer the time slot to another family.

For weather-related concerns, safety is always our priority. In the case of severe weather, storms, lightning, or unsafe pool conditions, your instructor will communicate directly with your family to determine whether the lesson should be rescheduled. We closely monitor local weather conditions and make decisions with safety in mind.

Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be counted as completed and charged accordingly.

Our instructors have experience working with children with diverse needs, including ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum differences, Down syndrome, sensory sensitivities, and physical disabilities. We understand that no two children are alike, and every lesson is thoughtfully adapted to meet each child’s unique learning style.

For many children with special needs, one-on-one private lessons in a familiar home environment can be especially beneficial. A private setting helps reduce distractions, create predictability, and allow the instructor to move at your child’s pace.

Some children thrive with structured routines, while others learn best through play-based instruction. Some feel comforted by repetition; others need gradual exposure. Our approach is flexible, patient, and individualized.

We encourage parents to share any important information about their child’s needs, preferences, or sensitivities before the first lesson so we can create the most supportive experience possible.

• Swimsuit

• Towel

• Goggles (for advanced swimmers, if appropriate)

• Swim diaper (required for infants and toddlers who are not fully potty trained)

• Sunscreen for outdoor pool

• Sun shirt/rash guard for extra sun protection

• Your child’s favorite pool-safe toy (optional, for added comfort)

Pool temperature is important for your child’s comfort and success. Younger children, especially infants and toddlers, need warmer water because they lose body heat more quickly.

Recommended ranges:

Infants & toddlers: 88–92°F
Preschool (3–5 years): 86–90°F
Older children: 84–86°F

We recommend checking the pool temperature before your lesson to ensure it’s within a comfortable range. When in doubt, warmer is usually better — especially for little ones.