Program Information
Lifesaving Society's Swim for Life Preschool levels are for children ages 3-5. These aquatic classes are programmed for 7-10 weeks. Participants may require multiple sessions to complete a level.
Children who are registered in the incorrect level (i.e. have not completed the previous level, do not meet the prerequisites) will be withdrawn from the class for safety reasons. We will attempt to transfer them to the correct level if space permits.
ONLINE REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULE INFORMATION
Lifesaving Society’s Preschool Levels:
RED CROSS TO LSS LEVEL CONVERSION CHART
Preschool A
This entry-level class develops early skills such as submerging, front and back floats, and glides. Preschoolers participate independently of their parents at this level. This class is taught in the 25yd or Teach pool with a small group class size of a maximum 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Prerequisite: Children must be a minimum of 37 inches tall and 3 years old by the first class. Swimming experience: none.
Preschool B
Children learn and refine assisted floats and kicks and progress towards glides and roll-overs with an aid. This class is taught in the 25yd or Teach pool with a small group class size of a maximum 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Prerequisites: Children must be a minimum of 37 inches tall and 3 years old by the first class. Completion of Preschool A or Sea Turtle. Children should be comfortable fully submerging their heads underwater and blowing bubbles before beginning Preschool B.
Preschool C
Preschoolers use games and songs to learn new skills, including unassisted floats and glides. Children are introduced to deep water activities and learn how to jump and tread water while wearing a PDF in the deep end. This class is taught in the 25yd or Teach pool with a small group class size of a maximum 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Prerequisites: Children must be a minimum of 37 inches tall and 3 years old by the first class. Completion of Preschool B or Sea Otter. Children should be comfortable fully submerging their heads underwater, blowing bubbles and performing assisted floats/glides and kicks before beginning Preschool C.
Preschool D
Children learn and refine unassisted floats/glides and progress towards unassisted roll-overs and a 5 m swim. This class is taught in the 25yd/Varsity or Teach pool with a small group class size of a maximum 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Prerequisites: Children must be a minimum of 37 inches tall and 3 years old by the first class. Completion of Preschool C or Salamander. Children should be comfortable fully submerging their heads underwater, blowing bubbles and performing unassisted floats, glides and kicks before beginning Preschool D.
Preschool E
Preschoolers progress to independent glides and kicking on front and back in deep water. Endurance is built through a 5m front crawl wearing a PFD. This class is taught in the 25yd/Varsity or Teach pool with a small group class size of a maximum 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Prerequisites: Children must be a minimum of 37 inches tall and 3 years old by the first class. Completion of Preschool D or Sunfish. Children should be comfortable performing glides and kicks on front and back for 4m before beginning Preschool E.
Preschool F
Children learn to swim independently in deep water and practice unassisted treading in the deep end. Preschoolers increase their distance and improve skills with front and back crawl. A vertical whip kick is introduced. This class is taught in the 50m pool or 25yd pool.
Prerequisites: Children must be a minimum of 37 inches tall and 3 years old by the first class. Completion of Preschool E or Sunfish/Crocodile. Children should be comfortable performing assisted front and back crawl for 5 m before beginning Preschool F.
Prerequisites and transferring from other Swim Lessons
As the program develops from the skills learned in the previous level, it is critical to be able to complete all skills and learning in a level in order to complete the level and move on. Performance criteria required for each skill need to be met on 3 separate occasions.
Swimmers who have not completed skills have the opportunity to continue to work on achieving the necessary progression step by registering in the level an additional time until their skills are strong enough to enter the next level. Your child will achieve physical developmental milestones at his or her own rate. It is important to look at the successes achieved during each lesson set, knowing that taking a level again offers the opportunity to improve on the skills that are the building blocks for success at the next level.
Transferring from a different program? Check out our handy Program/Level comparison guide here:
Frequently Asked Questions - Junior Blues Swim Preschool
What general information do I need to know?
- Parents/Guardians must escort their children to and from the pool and to the washrooms during class time.
- Children must shower and should use the washrooms and blow their nose before the start of class.
- Participants should meet their instructor on the pool deck.
- Health regulations prohibit street shoes, food, drink, and glass containers on the pool deck.
- Junior Blues Aquatics progress cards and stickers are included. For continuous evaluation please bring progress cards prepared by the previous instructor during the parent conference week.
- During the designated parent conference week, classes will end 5 minutes early to give parents the opportunity to speak with the instructors about their child’s progress. Please give your instructor your past Progress Booklet during this time.
How do I enter the facility?
Swimming classes are held in the Varsity (50m) pool, the Teach pool, and the Benson (25yd) pool. At the Athletic Centre, in order to enter through the main doors, you must have a GREEN facility access pass. Please ensure that you leave enough time before the start of class to pick up your pass on the first day.
All Aquatics programs and participants at Athletic Centre: Remember that if you leave the premises for any reason and wish to re-enter through the main turnstiles you will need to show your green access pass every time. Again, please ensure that you leave sufficient time to anticipate lineups at the Main Office if you require a replacement pass.
What should my child wear and bring
- Bathing suit and towel.
- Long hair should be tied back.
- Goggles are permitted but not required.
- Children who are not toilet trained need to be wearing a swim diaper to prevent any solid matter from entering the pool. Please inform the instructor immediately if your child does have an accident in the pool.
- Children who are cold in the water may wear a thermal bathing suit or tightly-fitted undershirt to help stay warm.
- No outdoor shoes are permitted on deck.
Can classes be observed?
We find that children excel more in the class and have a better focus when parents are not directly by the child/lesson.
Parents & guardians may view their child’s lesson from a designated on-deck seating area. All parents/guardians in the on-deck viewing area must adhere to the Ministry of Health Regulations for Swimming Pools. Thank you for your understanding.
What is the ratio of swimmers to instructors?
Swim Preschool: 4:1
Locations and Change Rooms
The swimming pool location for your child's lesson (50m, 25yd or Teach Pool) is indicated on your receipt.
What change rooms can I use before coming to the pool?
Children five and under may use either changing room with adult supervision.
Children five and under may use either change room under adult supervision.
Children six and over must use gender-specific changerooms matching a person's gender identity or privacy change rooms.
All children under 12 must be supervised by adults in change rooms.
The family change room is located across from the 50m Varsity Pool office. We also have a gender-neutral change stall located outside the 25 yd/Benson pool.
Changing children on the pool deck is not permitted.
Questions? Contact the Coordinator of Aquatics and Program Administration at 416-978-5845 or via email at junior.blues@utoronto.ca