Swimming is a life skill that is important for any child. Whether your little ones have never dipped their toes in the water or they are regulars at the pool each summer, it is crucial that they understand the basics of water safety.

I had been researching swim schools for our almost 3-year-old son and Goldfish Swim School sounded like a terrific fit.

All About Swimming Lessons at Goldfish Swim School

Upon arriving at Goldfish I was impressed with their overall set-up. The bright colors, water-themed décor and beach vibe create an inviting, playful atmosphere for any child.

The front desk is available right when you enter, so you do not have to traipse through with all of your swim gear to sign in. There is coffee and/or water available for the parents during the lesson, and the front desk area sells basic swim gear in case you forgot to bring something with you.

A chalkboard and fish tank are perfect distractions for your child as you wait for their class to begin.

Kids Learn Independence while Parents get to Watch Them Learn

Rather than a completely open pool area, there are chairs lining a window/viewing area that overlooks the pool. I loved the fact that the kids go inside the pool area, while parents sit behind the window to watch.

This allows your child to be independent and learn from the teacher, but still gives you peace of mind and a sight line to see their progress.

There are heavy, metal doors separating the viewing area from the pool, and lifeguards on duty, in addition to the teachers on staff, for added safety.

The Small Class Size Means Kids get One-on-One Instruction

Each swimming class is small. My son’s class only had three other students in it and each student got one-on-one time with the main teacher throughout the lesson. 

I’ve seen swim lessons that require your child to wear a life jacket in the water, which always seemed counterproductive to me. Aren’t they supposed to be learning to swim without assistance?

In this class there is a bench in the water on the side of the wall that the children can sit on while they are not swimming. This allows them to still be in the water without a life jacket or someone holding them.

Swimming Accomplishments are Celebrated

At the end of each lesson parents are invited into the swimming area to watch what their child has learned up close. This is a wonderful tool because you can tell how much the kids take pride in showing off their new skills. If your child has progressed into another class or met a goal, they receive a ribbon and certificate.

Each child also often received a little goodie after class. For example, at our first class we received a bag with a Goldfish t-shirt and a few other treats. Another time they gave out a fish-shaped pool toy.

The Instructors Get to Know the Needs of each Child

Our son’s instructors really went out of their way to make him feel comfortable. Thankfully he was quick to get used to the water and there were no tears. However, when he struggled with his goggles, his teacher took extra time with him, adjusting the strap, placing them back on several times and offering me suggestions to get him used to them at home.

Also, one of the girls that was in our son’s class cried the first few times in her original class. Goldfish quickly realized that she was not responding well to her instructor. They switched her to our son’s class since she was more comfortable taking direction from a female teacher. It is reassuring to find an organization that looks for solutions and works to put your needs first.

Dry-off and Clean-up is Easy and Convenient

Once you are out of the pool, there are showers in the back of the pool area for a quick rinse. The main area has a blow-dry bar with mirrors, bathrooms and several beach-themed changing rooms.

The set-up makes dry-off and clean-up a breeze! Everything is designed to make your experience fun and easy, while teaching your child a vital life skill.

We were incredibly pleased with our Goldfish Swim School lessons. The knowledgeable staff, clever teaching model and friendly atmosphere left us excited to come back each time. Plus, as a parent, I am truly thankful my son is a more proficient, confident swimmer.

Find a Goldfish Swim School Near You

We took lessons at the Goldfish Swim School in Hudson, but there are three Cleveland-area Goldfish locations to choose from. Each location offers swimming lessons, special events and birthday party packages.

Goldfish Swim School – Hudson
725 West Streetsboro St. Hudson, OH 44236
(234) 380-4400

Goldfish Swim School – Cleveland East Side
4670 Richmond Rd. Warrensville Heights, OH 44128
(216) 364-9090

Goldfish Swim School – Fairview Park
21599 Lorain Rd. Fairview Park, OH 44126
(440) 333-5393

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Goldfish Swim School, and to share the details about their swimming program, special events and birthday party packages to the families of Northeast Ohio. Goldfish Swim School provided these lessons in exchange for our honest review. All opinions and experiences are our own.