Ages 3–5 Years

Our Preschool learn-to-swim program at the YMCA builds on critical water safety skills learned in each stage to foster confidence and ensure safety in the water. With safety as the foundation, children develop essential water skills before advancing to swim strokes. 

Key swimming benchmarks include: 

  • Swim, Float, Swim – Sequencing a front glide, rolling to a back float, returning to a front glide, and exiting the water. 
  • Jump, Push, Turn, Grab – Developing skills to jump into the water, turn around, and safely reach the edge. 

Swim Basics Stage 1: Water Acclimation 

Stage 1 helps preschoolers become comfortable in the water while focusing on critical safety and swimming readiness skills. 

What Your Child Will Learn in Swim Basics Stage 1: 

  • Build comfort with putting their face in the water and submerging independently 
  • How to return to the side of the pool and safely exit the water 
  • How to front glide and roll to their back to float with assistance  

This stage lays the foundation for future swimming progress and builds confidence in the water. 

Back to Swim Assessment

Lesson Details

Duration

30-minute lessons

Instructor-to-Student Ratio

1:4

What to Bring

Appropriate swimsuit, towel, sunscreen (for outdoor pools only), goggles (optional)

Swim Lesson Package Options

2 Lessons per Week (Recommended): Our curriculum is best completed with two lessons per week, providing more practice and faster skill reinforcement. To schedule 2 lessons per week, register for two 4-lesson packages with flexible days and times.

1 Lesson per Week: Our 4-lesson packages are designed for families who can only attend one lesson per week. Progression may take longer as it’s based on skill mastery rather than lesson frequency.

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