Below is a list of frequently asked questions about our Child and Youth aquatics programs. For any questions and concerns, feel free to email us at junior.blues@utoronto.ca
What should my child bring to each lesson?
- Bathing suit and towel. *Children who are cold in the water may wear a thermal bathing suit or tightly-fitted undershirt to help stay warm.
- Goggles are permitted but not required
- Children who are not toilet-trained must wear a swim diaper to prevent any solid matter from entering the pool. *Please inform the instructor immediately if your child has an accident in the pool.
- Long hair should be tied back
- Indoor-only sandals are permitted. 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 pool/lesson. If you stay close to your child, it is difficult for the children to pay attention to the instructor. Children in preschool classes must be able to participate without a parent.
In the Benson pool, parents and guardians may view their child’s lesson from a designated on-deck seating area. The Benson viewing gallery is no longer be accessible for this purpose. All parents and guardians in the on-deck viewing area must adhere to the Ministry of Health Regulations for Swimming Pools.
For lessons in the Teach Pool (TP) or Varsity Pool (VP) parents and guardians may either sit on the pool deck in the designated viewing area. You may also use the Teach pool viewing gallery or the main viewing gallery. The main viewing gallery can be accessed from the main floor down the hall from the Starbucks. The Coordinator on-duty is also available to provide directions to the galleries.
If your child needs to use the washroom during the lesson, the instructor will signal the Coordinator to get your attention so you can meet your child by the pool to access the washroom.
Can I take photos of my child during their lesson?
A photo week will be scheduled each term. Parents and guardians are welcome to take photos during class from designated parent viewing areas. For summer 2016 photo week will be held Tuesday, Aug 2-Monday, Aug 8.
Where will my child's aquatics lesson be held and who is their instructor?
The swimming pool location for your child's lesson (50m, 25yd or Teach Pool) is indicated on your receipt, as well as on the schedules and fees.
Which level should my child register in when moving from Preschool to Swim Kids ?
*updated for Winter 2015 to coincide with Red Cross Standards
Preschool Program (age 3 to 5-years) |
Swim Kids Program (5-years+) |
Water Depth |
|
Sea Turtle complete or incomplete |
Level 1 |
Teach pool |
|
Salamander incomplete |
Level 1 |
Teach pool |
|
Salamander complete |
Level 1 |
Teach pool |
|
Sunfish incomplete |
Level 1 |
Teach pool |
|
Sunfish complete |
Level 2 |
Shallow/deep water |
|
Crocodile incomplete |
Level 2 |
Shallow/deep water |
|
Crocodile complete |
Level 3 |
Deep water |
|
Whale incomplete |
Level 3 |
Deep water |
|
Whale complete |
Level 4 |
Deep water |
Which level should I my child register in when transferring from another swim program?
Please refer to the conversion chart for Red Cross levels. Feel free to email us at junior.blues@utoronto.ca for any questions about what level to register your child in if you are unsure.
Is there a test day? How are children evaluated on the different levels?
The Red Cross Swim Preschool and Swim Kids levels are taught and skills are evaluated according to national standards. Each participant receives a progress memo at the end of the session. Not all children will complete a level in a session. Our experience shows that in a 10-week session approximately 30 - 50% of children will not have completed the skills in the level and will be asked to re-register for the same level.
Please be aware that children learn and progress at different speeds and that children must demonstrate all skills on three separate classes at the correct standard to complete the level. Participants are evaluated continuously; there is no test day.
What happens if I register for an incorrect level or my child does not meet the prerequisites?
Children who are registered in the incorrect level (i.e. have not completed the previous level) may be removed from the class for safety reasons. We will attempt to transfer them into the correct level space permitting but unfortunately most of our classes are sold out each term.
How do I book a private swim lesson?
Private lessons are offered in 30-minute sessions and are tailored to your child’s specific needs. Times & locations may be selected from the pre-set classes as indicated on our schedule + fees. Unfortunately requests for particular instructors cannot be accommodated.
What is the ratio of swimmers to instructors?
- Aquatics Preschool: 1:4
- Swim Kids 1 to Swim Kids 3: 1:5
- Swim Kids 4 to Swim Kids 10: 1:6
- Adapted Aquatics: 1:3
How many children are permitted per adult in the parent and tot program?
One adult in the water, within arms’ reach is required per child in the parent and tot program.