Preschool Swim Programs at Burlington-Riverfront Y

Amanda Lokken, Assistant Aquatics Director 609.543.6200 x350 amandal@ymca-bc.org

Parent-Child Swim Programs
Ages 6 months to 3 years - 30 minute classes:Our Parent-Child Swim Programs focus on water enrichment, safety, and skill development with parents in the water. Children are divided by ages and developmental ability. Incorporates water adjustment skills, games, songs, use of PFDs and swimming movements according to child’s readiness.

Shrimp/Kipper (6-12 months)  
This class is an introduction to basic water skills in a positive environment. Building independence and starting to move in water. Students begin to develop skills through repetition.

Inia/Perch (13-36 months)
Learn an understanding of safety through games and songs. Start to explore water and to propel themselves with instructional aids and learning repetitive swimming skills and independence movements.

Tadpole (30-40 months)
This class bridges the gap between the parent-child classes and our pre-school program.  Children between the ages of 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 are introduced to a swimming with their parents in a more structured class environment.  Guided by the instructor each parent becomes an instructor.  Each student will work on kicking, paddling, breathing and body position.

Preschool Swim Lessons
Ages 3-6 years - 30 minute classes - Instructor: Student Ratios 1:6

Pike  
This level is for the beginner (child can not swim on own more than 10 feet, may be fearful of water). Emphasis is on adjustment to group situation and water acclimation, and developing independent movement in the water on front, side, and back with and without floatation devices.

Eel
Student has progressed from Pike level by instructor.
This is an advanced beginner level. The child is comfortable in water can swim 10 yards with flotation and 5 feet without. The child can also perform a front and back float.
 
Ray  
Student has progressed from Eel level by instructor.
This is an intermediate level. (Child is relaxed in water and can swim 25 yards with flotation on their front, back and side, and can swim 15 feet on their own.) 

Starfish
Student has progressed from Ray level by instructor.
This is an advanced level. Child can swim 20 yards in most strokes (front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke and sidestroke). Child will increase endurance in all strokes and start learning advanced level skills