Swimming Lesson Frequently Asked Questions

No. All YGBW swim lessons continue to last for two months.

Starting in January 2025, YGBW will offer six-stage swim lessons. Lessons are grouped by skill-level and age range – and include the following offerings. 

Six-Stage Lessons | Preschool and Youth 

• Stages 1 & 2 – Water Acclimation and Movement | Ages 3-5 and 6-12 
  Note: Stages 1 & 2 will be offered as a combined class 
• Stage 3 – Water Stamina | Ages 3-5 and 6-12 
• Stage 4 – Stroke Introduction | Ages 3-5 and 6-12 
• Stage 5 – Stroke Development | Ages 6-12 
• Stage 6 – Stroke Mechanics | Ages 6-12  

Other Swim Lessons Offered 

• Parent/Child Swim Lessons | Ages 6 mos – 3 yrs 
• Adult/Teen Swim Lessons 
• Adaptive Swim Lessons 
• Private Swim Lessons 
• Springboard Diving Instruction: Beginner and Intermediate  
  Note: Offered at the West Chester branch only 

Yes. You may remember that we previously offered six-stage swim lessons. In an effort to balance a variety of participant needs, including cost and time commitment, along with post-pandemic staffing limitations, we moved away from six-stage swim lessons. We are happy to return to the six-stage curriculum to meet the current needs of participants and instructors. 

As the needs of our community change over time, we regularly solicit feedback from our staff and program participants. Over the past year, the feedback from both groups has been clear and has informed our decision to separate swim lessons by swim level and age range. This change will allow our staff to meet the needs of each participant, enabling participants to make clear and steady progress. 

1. If your child is a beginner between the ages of 3 and 12, register for Stage 1/2, which is a combined class. 

2. If your child is not a beginner, there are two ways to determine which level to register for.  

• If your child is currently taking swim lessons at a YGBW branch, your swim instructor will distribute mid-session evaluations starting the week of Oct 27. At this time, your instructor will inform you of which stage/level aligns with your child's skill-level.  
• If your child is not currently enrolled in swim lessons at a YGBW branch, you must schedule time for your child to be evaluated by a YGBW swim instructor. We advise you schedule your evaluation by Nov 10 so that you are able to register for lessons without delay. Call or visit the Welcome Center at your YGBW branch to learn more.   

Swim lessons for Stage 3 and above require an instructor evaluation prior to registration. YGBW members and guests are encouraged to schedule evaluations by Nov 10 to be prepared for registration, which begins on November 19 for YGBW Members. 

Six-stage swim lessons at YGBW branches begin on January 2, 2025. 

YGBW members can begin to register for six-stage swim lessons on November 19, 2024. Guests can begin to register on December 3, 2024. Please be sure to know your child’s swim level/stage prior to registration.

To provide the most consistent lesson possible, we ask that members stay with their same day and time for the entire lesson semester. At the end of the, semester if space allows, we can look at moving students to other days and times.   

The YMCA believes that every student grows in an environment where they are exposed to different instructors. As a student progresses, instructors with more experience with stroke techniques may be best for the student. We will work with each family to ensure that every child has a positive experience in our program.   

Most swimming lessons are held in our indoor pools. The State of PA requires that we clear all pools in the event of electrical storms (thunder/lightning) for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder or the last bolt of lightning. When this happens, we cancel swim lessons, and do not refund members for the class. When there is snow/ice, and we cancel programs, we also do not refund members for the class. Make-up lessons are not available.  

All YGBW indoor pools are heated, but some swimmers still get cold. We recommend having a towel ready for each swimmer on the pool deck immediately after lessons are over, so that they can warm up on their way to the locker rooms. Wearing a rash guard can also help young swimmers who are cold in the water.   

Once swim lessons have started, we do not refund the program. However, if a child cannot continue in swim lessons, we will credit or refund any missed months of swim lessons for future lessons.

Students in every level of swimming lessons will receive a progress report at the end of the semester of lessons.

Every child is different. Some children learn certain skills quickly but may take longer to learn other skills. Our program is progressive, so once they become proficient in a skill, it is easier to move up to build on more advanced skills. We encourage family members of the Y to bring their children for family swims to practice the skills they have learned in their lessons every week. This helps build both skills and confidence in the water.   

Swimmers should wear bathing suits that are comfortable to them.  Swimmers who get cold quickly may want to consider a long-sleeve rash guard as well.   

Our program is very focused on meeting students where they are, and not pushing them to do things they are not comfortable with. Still, some children have a hard time being in lessons for the first time. Your instructor will work with you on what the best fit for your child is. This may mean staying with your child for the first lesson, or it may mean leaving and not being visible for them to see you. We know this can be stressful, not only for students but also for parents. Most students stop being upset once they realize how much fun swimming lessons are, but some take a little more time.   

You will enter the facility and head to the locker room that takes you to the pool where swim lessons are held. You can ask the member services staff member where that is. Once you get through the locker room, you will look for the swim lesson signs where you will meet your instructor on the first night of lessons. Lessons will be at the same spot each week for the semester (two-month period).

All of our instructors are experienced in working with various levels of swimmers. Generally, less experienced swimmers learn a lot from watching other swimmers in the pool. All students learn at their own pace, and we have a structure that provides support for every swimmer to feel successful as they move through all of the progressions of YMCA Swim Lessons. That said, we do encourage members of the Y to bring their swim lesson students to the Y during family swims to practice the skills they have learned at swim lessons. Most students progress when they have time to practice.   

We do not offer make-up lessons.  

If you withdraw from lessons, we cannot guarantee a particular day/time/instructor moving forward.

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine does not offer swim lessons on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter Day, Memorial Day, Juneteeth, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. 

There are also certain breaks throughout the year for annual cleaning of the branch and staff training. 

Goggles are required for Swim Strokes 1, 2, and 3. In all other lessons, goggles are encouraged. Instructors can give you some guidance on what style to purchase based on your child’s age and skill level, and they may not be used for the entire lesson. Please make sure to clearly write your student’s name on the band of their goggles as soon as you purchase them.    

Swim caps are not required, but are encouraged for swimmers in Swim Strokes 1, 2, and 3, especially if a student has longer hair.

Swim diapers are required for any child who is not fully potty trained. If you forget your swim diaper, please let your instructor know. We often have them available for parents to use.  

We require that one parent or trusted adult stay inside the facility during swimming lessons. You will also need to come to the pool deck for drop-off and pick-up for every lesson. This is a YMCA of Greater Brandywine safety protocol. You do not need to stay on the pool deck, but you do need to stay within the facility during the lesson.

Yes! You can register for swim lessons online. 

All Swim Stroke lessons require an evaluation prior to registration. You can set up your swimmer’s evaluation with the Aquatic director at your branch. Registration is available online after their evaluation is added to their record.   

We do not prorate lessons if you start in the middle of the semester. 

The family swim schedules are posted at every branch. We ask that you follow that schedule and not swim during lessons. This allows us to provide a great experience for the students in our lessons, and provide a great family swim experience with no lessons to swim through while enjoying the pool and practicing skills at the Y.  

We recommend aiming to arrive at the pool desk 3-5 minutes prior to the lesson starting. This gives you a little wiggle room in the event changing takes longer than expected, or there is traffic on your way to the Y. This also ensures that you are not so early that it’s hard to keep your swimmer occupied for 15-20 minutes on the pool deck.