FAQs

Browse through these Floaties Frequently Asked Questions to find answers to commonly asked questions. If you’re a new customer or have a question that is not answered here, please contact us.

***Spanish Translation Available
***Traducción al Español Disponible

FAQs – Billing and Registration

Fill out our registration form here on our website or stop by one of our locations during business hours. You will not be charged for classes until you are fully scheduled.

 

 

Floaties is open-enrollment, meaning that we can get your child started today. Please note, if your beginning classes after the 10th, you will automatically be enrolled for the following month. This is important for your child’s progression, as paying for a lesson or two will not net enough progress for your investment or give our instructors the time necessary for a child to learn effectively.

Yes, Floaties has an inclusive special needs program. Please let the Front Desk know what types of special needs your child has and we will place you with an appropriate instructor in a class with their peers.

We offer “Drop In” lessons for a one-time visit, but this is generally more effective for a previous Floaties swimmer, or an older child. Packages are priced at a significantly more affordable rate. In addition, you can schedule a drop-in class only 72 hours in advance, so availability is limited.

If your child is a first time swimmer, or want to see progression quickly, we recommend swimming at least twice a week. For more nervous children, swimming at least twice a week is the best option as it will help build trust and rapport more quickly, leading to faster progression. Establishing that relationship with the instructor and the learning environment

Floaties is not a drop off program, and the adult who is accompanying the child must be present for the duration of the lesson. The responsible adult is ultimately responsible for the safety of the child/children before, during, and after class.

No, the price is always the same UNLESS your lesson falls on a scheduled holiday in which case the system will automatically prorate that month for a lesser amount.

Please check below for scheduled holiday closures.

There is no monetary penalty if your child misses a class. As long as you are a current Floaties member, you can makeup all missed classes pending availability. We do not guarantee immediate availability or instructor requests, but we will do our best to assist in a time that works best for you. If you cancel your membership, any available makeups expire on the last day of the month.

You are encouraged to make it to your child’s scheduled class time as this provides the best environment for your child to learn with the instructor with whom they have formed a bond. However, we understand how unpredictable life can be. Our front desk representatives can schedule makeup classes up to 3 business days in advance. To request a makeup, you can head to our “Contact Us” tab on our website, and send in a “Makeup Request” to the location of your choice or you can speak with a representative in person or over the phone to find a convenient time.

You will be awarded an automatic make-up class to be scheduled at your convenience.

On the 1st of the month, our system will automatically run the cards of all students who are currently enrolled. Discounts, Floaties credit, and scheduled holiday closures will be automatically prorated.

If you would like to cancel your child’s lessons, you must do so in writing by the 10th of the previous month. For example, if you want to stop swimming on April 1st, cancellation must be sent in by March 10th. Go to the “Contact Us” tab on our website and send in a cancellation message. You can also email your location directly. If your cancellation is sent after the 10th of the month, the system will automatically assign your drop date for the following month. For example, if you send in your child’s cancellation on March 20th, the system will cancel your lessons beginning May 1st, and you will be charged for the month of April.

No, but you will have unlimited makeup classes, allowing you to go on vacation for multiple weeks and stay on your schedule without losing out on individual lessons or sacrificing your spot in class.

FAQs – What To Expect During Lessons

The first lesson is about establishing a foundation of trust between the student and child. New environments can be overwhelming to children, so Floaties Infant Instructors are specifically trained on how to reduce anxiety and fear. Toys, games and lots of smiles all help show babies how fun the pool can be. Teachers do not submerge infants on the first day of class, but work to help reinforce their dive reflex by a series of drills and games.

We start lessons as early as 3 months old. Early exposure to the warm water is akin to returning to the womb, and we encourage babies to start lessons early and often. Early exposure to water helps to reduce the anxiety and fear that children may experience if introduced to swim lessons when they are older.

Floaties proven success is built on trust and rapport with our instructors, and this is the main focus of the first lesson. It would be ineffective to attend a trial lesson without a consistent plan moving forward, especially for young children.

Every child is born with a dive reflex, which help prevents water from entering your child’s throat. Infant instructors are trained through a series of cues and drills to help the baby associate when to hold their breath with submersions.

We require a parent in the water up to the age of 18 months old.
If it is your child’s first formal swim lesson and he is under the age of 2, we ask that you be prepared to get in the water. Parents are required to be in the water until their child is 18 months old, or by special permission of the instructor based on the child’s readiness.

Yes. Swimming is not only defined as being able to perform the 4 major strokes, but to simply propel through the water. Infants can learn breath control, balance and safely move through the water short distances. Our Infant instructors are trained to help infants learn these skills in a fun and nurturing environment.

Many variables make this question difficult to answer as every child learns at their own rate. Consistent attendance and practice opportunities, physical and emotional readiness, and motor development all influence the rate of learning.
Our program begins with a gentle introduction to the water, their instructor, and a new learning environment. Our progression line focuses on water safety, and the beginning elements of the four competitive swim strokes.
No. As a “learn to swim” program, the philosophy at Floaties Swim School is a “child centered” one, rooted in building trust and rapport first with the child. The instructor considers all aspects of the child’s emotional and physical well-being when designing their lesson plan. Floaties includes back floating, roll over breathing and “swim-float-swim” into its curriculum, but does so at a less strenuous and “ goal-centered” approach that can be seen in many survival swimming programs.
Swimming is a complex skill, and it takes time, dedication, and commitment to learn. Your child’s individual progression will depend on how quickly they are able to master the skills, their age, and their frequency of practice. The teacher will be introducing your child to the fundamentals of swimming and water safety while learning to love the water. If your child is having fun and playing, they will be learning at the same time! They will learn buoyancy, balance and breath control first, and then move into skills that teach propulsion. Finally, students learn all four competitive strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly). For optimum progression we recommend swimming twice per week, as the consistency helps to reinforce what your child is learning in class.
In the event your child’s swim instructor is absent, Floaties will provide a qualified substitute to teach the class. The absent instructor will have left notes on what your child is working on, so the substitute can continue to work on the same skills. Swimming with a substitute can be a great experience for the child’s progression. A change in instructor can bring a new energy and approach to the class, and can help the child learn flexibility and confidence which can work through plateaus in progression. For this reason, we do not recommend skipping classes if there is a substitute. Parents are able to utilize an absence and schedule a makeup if you feel like your experience was unsatisfactory.
Limiting parental distraction will ultimately help your child to become more comfortable and confident in the water. Your child may have a hard time adjusting to the new environment, and that’s okay. Our staff is well trained on how to handle nervous children. All of these things are normal and Floaties has a reputation for being able to effectively handle all kinds of situations. If you are asked to leave the pool deck, please trust that the instructors know what they are doing. If you have any questions as to why, please ask your instructor or a staff member and they will be more than happy to answer any questions.

Intro to Strokes is a 30-minute class with a 3:1 student to teacher ratio. The skills that are taught are foundational skills of Freestyle and Backstroke, with elements of Breaststroke and Butterfly. The classes are teacher – lead, and the instructor provides hand on practice and feedback. The instructor remains in the water during the lesson. The Strokes classes are an hour long, and there is a 6:1 student to teacher ratio. All four competitive strokes are practiced and refined, with endurance and technique being emphasized. The students are more independent and received feedback and guidance from the instructor. The instructor may teach from the deck, or in the water. A student requires an assessment to be placed into the class, which can be scheduled at the Front Desk.

Goggles and floatation devices can often be a dangerous crutch for individuals when learning how to swim. All your child needs to keep them safe is the knowledge of how their body can function in the water, and what to do if an unexpected incident with water occurs.
Floaties is dedicated to proving the cleanest and safest possible environment. Non-disposable swim diapers keep accidents contained in the water. We require children up to the age of 4 wear a swim diaper even if they are potty-trained just to be on the safe side.

Scheduled Holiday Closures

President’s Day Memorial Day Weekend Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Weekend (Wednesday-Sunday) Holiday Break: exact dates vary, check with your location for details We always reopen for lessons on January 4th