Junior Blues: Swim Preschool

As swimmers progress through the program, each level builds on the skills learned in the previous one. To successfully complete a level and advance, swimmers must demonstrate all required skills and meet the performance criteria for each skill on three separate occasions.

Learning and mastering new skills takes time. On average, it takes approximately 10 hours of practice to develop proficiency in a skill, so it is important not to expect completion of an entire level in a single session.

If a swimmer has not yet completed all required skills, they are encouraged to register for the same level again. Repeating a level provides valuable opportunities to strengthen and refine skills until they are ready to progress confidently to the next stage. Our instructors will ensure the students are being challenged and work towards new goals every session. 

Every child develops physical skills at their own pace. We encourage families to celebrate the successes achieved during each set of lessons and recognize that repeating a level is a positive step in the learning process. The skills developed at each level serve as the foundation for future success and help swimmers build confidence, competence, and safety in the water.

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 3:1 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.

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 3:1 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. 

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 3:1 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

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 3:1 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. 

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 3:1 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. 

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. 

• Parents/guardians are responsible for their children at all times. 
• Children under 12 years of age must be supervised by an adult at all times. Including pool deck and changerooms.
• Unaccompanied minors (17 and under) are not permitted to enter or use the facilities unless formally registered in a program.
• Children over 12 years old need a written permission to leave on their own.
• 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 deck in the Benson (25 yard) pool.
• 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 on 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.

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.

• 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.

 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.

 Swim Preschool: 3:1

• The swimming pool location for your child's lesson (50m, 25yd or Teach Pool) is indicated on your receipt.
• Children five and under may use either changing room with adult supervision.
• Children six and over must use gender-specific changerooms matching their 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. 

There are no make ups or prorating for any classes not attended. If your child missed class for a medical reason a refund for missed classes will be available. A medical note is required. Notes must be received within two weeks of the date of illness.