Wasn't sure which board to put this in, but has anyone heard of or signed up for Goldfish School and, if so, can you provide your feedback? How did you feel about the instructors and the class costs?
http://m.goldfishswimschool.com
Also, Goldfish School or not, when did you start your kids on swim lessons? (see poll)
TIA!
31 votes
pomegranate / 3858 posts
I've never heard of the Goldfish School, but we started LO in swimming lessons at our local city-run pool (Toronto) at 9mos. She had lessons from 9-11 mos, 24-26 mos; and 27-29 mos (current). My parents live on one of the great lakes, and the beach is in the backyard, so it was important to me to start early!
ETA: these aren't "lessons" so much as guided playtime in the water with a parent and a teacher.
squash / 13208 posts
We don't have a pool so we didn't do lessons until age 4 when they are offered as part of the summer program at DCP.
If you have a pool in your yard I would start at 6 months
pineapple / 12053 posts
We started going to the Y probably weekly when DD was 6 months. Then did lessons at 13 months (mommy and me) and 24 months (instructor plus 3 kids). I loved it and will do lessons with her again in a few months!
coconut / 8483 posts
We started at 11 months. Mostly just getting him used to the water since we live very close to a Great Lake. @tinyperson: wondering where your parents live!!
persimmon / 1071 posts
@serenity207: We don't have a baby yet, but when we do we'll start around 9-12 months. We live on the water, so it's important to us to start early and make sure our children are comfortable in and around the water.
olive / 70 posts
We go to goldfish!!! Lo loves it! He had been taking classes since he was 3 months 3 weeks! His teacher is so good with him and even though he cries when his grandparents etc hold him, he had no complaints about his teacher. I can't say enough good things about the school! They classes are only 30 mins once a week but even just 30 mins tires LO out and he takes a great nap afterwards!
cherry / 164 posts
Thanks so much for the feedback, everyone! I'm with you in wanting the kids to get comfortable in the water - the sooner the better - but wasn't sure if my almost 2yo would actually pick up anything from lessons. Sounds like it's been helpful for even younger children so I think I'll sign both kids up!
@Matcha Latte - so excited to hear you've had such a great experience with Goldfish! Have you found the class rates (prices) comparable to other swimming lesson places? I'm waiting to hear back on a few other places so I wasn't sure if the costs were considered much higher because they have such nice facilities.
bananas / 9118 posts
Absolutely! While we don't have this particular school in our area, but we've been taking both boys to a similar, smaller family run program since they were each 10 weeks old (we have a 1 year old and a 3 year old).
They both love the water, can climb out of the pool and are getting very good at swimming basics. We've never had problems with water on the face at bathtime and that alone is worth every penny!
nectarine / 2530 posts
Just wanted to say thanks for making me aware of this school! There aren't too many options for kids swimming classes in my area (a lot of it appears to be private instructors who rent out hotel pools). Looks like there's a new Goldfish school set to open soon about a half hour away :).
cherry / 164 posts
@Lemondrop - now I'm wishing I started my kids earlier, but better now than never!
@strawberrybee - I just found out about this school myself - sounds like they're doing a lot of expanding which I'm thinking has to be a good sign. 
Hope it works out for you!
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
We started ds at 13 months at aqua tots, first couple months were great and he loved it, but the curriculum got boring for us (swim w parent) level 2 was the longest stint. We took a break for the summer and went back this winter, DS quickly moved up to the tot/teacher class and enjoyed it. He's been avoiding swimming on his back the last couple of weeks. We're taking another break over the summer due to travel, etc.
Overall, it's a great winter activity for us and DS is learning skills. We didn't do the classes at our local community center because the pool is too cold for me, let alone DS!
olive / 70 posts
@serenity207: hi sorry I didn't see you reply until now. For the pricing I called other swim schools as well as the y and the gym by our house and it honestly didn't change much in price. If you are taking lessons at goldfish they have other perks like free swim, family swim events etc
That you can also participate in as a member. so it is more than worth it for us.
cherry / 164 posts
@Matcha Latte - that's awesome to hear! Hopefully I get the same results when I finally hear back from the Y and other swim class here. Goldfish is sounding better and better! Thanks again!
persimmon / 1436 posts
My niece has taken lessons at their Goldfish school for maybe 3 years? I have been swimming there once as well. I love how warm they keep the pool and the facility is really well-maintained. They also had a great selection of toys for the birthday party we went too there. It's quite expensive relative to the lessons at the Y we take our LO too though but they do every week all year round, instead of sessions on and off.
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