Preschool Swimming Lessons
Benefits of preschool lessons
- Learn water safety.
- Learn how to hold breath under water.
- Learn how to float, to rest in the water.
- Reduce the risk of drowning.
- Significant heart and lung development benefits.
- Reduce fear of water.
- Increase motor skills.
- Builds Confidence.
- Valuable social engagement.
Winter registration dates
- 6 a.m. — Online (virtual waiting room opens at 5:30 a.m.)
- 8:30 a.m. — By calling the Customer Service Centre at 403-268-3800 (option 1)
- During business hours — At any City-operated Aquatic & Recreation or Arts facility
Types of preschool lessons
You can register online, in person at our Recreation facilities, or by calling 403-268-3800 (option 1).
-
Your preschooler will learn basic swimming skills that will help them be in and around the water safely. They will learn how to enter and exit shallow water, put their faces in the water, blow bubbles and front and back floats.
Age: 3 - 5 years
Prerequisite: None
-
Preschoolers will improve their level 1 skills, like putting their face in the water, blowing bubbles and floating, and be introduced to level 2 skills in this swimming lesson. The level 2 skills will focus on jumping into the water, breathing out underwater and flutter kicks.
Age: 3 - 5 years
Prerequisite: None
-
Preschoolers will continue to increase their swimming skills and knowledge in this swimming lesson. They will learn how to jump into chest deep water, breathe out underwater, do lateral rollovers and practice flutter kicks in a lifejacket.
Ages: 3 - 5 years
Prerequisite: Preschool 1
-
This swimming lesson will improve your preschooler's level 2 skills while also being introduced to level 3 skills. They will continue to work on and learn front and back glides, flutter kicks and sideways entry into deep water wearing a lifejacket.
Age: 3 - 5 years
Prerequisite: Preschool 1
-
Your preschooler will continue to work on their swimming skills to become more safe in and around the water. They will learn how to do a sideways entry into deep water while wearing a lifejacket, retrieve objects from the bottom of the pool in waist deep water and independently float, do lateral rollovers and glides.
Ages: 3 - 5 years
Prerequisite: Preschool 2
-
This swimming lesson will focus on improving your preschooler's level 3 skills, while also being introduced to level 4 skills. They will continue to improve and learn retrieving objects from the bottom of the pool, back and flutter kicks, opening their eyes underwater and treading water.
Ages: 3 - 5 years
Prerequisite: Preschool 2
-
Independent preschoolers who are confident swimmers will be introduced to new skills that will increase their swimming ability. They will learn how to complete five metre front crawls, side glides and flutter kicks, opening their eyes underwater, pendulum rollovers onto their back and treading water.
Ages: 3 - 5 years
Prerequisite: Preschool 3
-
Your preschooler will practice and improve their level 4 skills, as well as be introduced to level 5 skills in this swimming lesson. They will continue to improve and learn opening their eyes underwater, treading water, pendulum rollovers onto their back, forward roll entry and whip kicks.
Ages: 3 - 5 years
Prerequisite: Preschool 3
-
This swimming lesson for confident swimmers will improve your preschoolers swim ability and prepare them for Swimmer 2 when they are six years old. They will learn to tread water for 10 seconds, forward roll entries into deep water, whip kicks, back crawl and interval training.
Ages: 3 - 5 years
Prerequisite: Preschool 4
About our swim instructors
Our instructors have Bronze Cross or higher certification. They are qualified to teach and evaluate Swim for Life® programs, Canadian Swim Patrol, Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross.
What are lessons like?
Children learn to enter and exit safely through a variety of fun activities. Classes are designed to help kids get comfortable in the water and include activities like float and kick, get face wet, blow bubbles, move safely in shallow water and wear lifejackets.
Preschool lessons have up to 5 swimmers per class. Our swimming lessons typically contain five to eight classes, depending on scheduling. The length of each class varies depending on scheduling requirements and the typical age of the swimmers participating in each lesson level.
Come prepared
Children must wear swim wear and bring a towel. Swim goggles are optional. All other required equipment and lifejackets are provided. Lifeguard on duty on pool deck.
Note: If a child requires a support staff/aide, they will also require this support in the water.
Non-Traditional Bathing Wear Policy
The City of Calgary Recreation is committed to providing an aquatic environment where individuals from all ethnic and religious backgrounds are comfortable participating in activities in and around the water. We want all customers to feel safe and welcome at our facilities, and have therefore adopted a non-traditional bathing wear policy as outlined below.
In addition to conventional swim wear, participants may wear:
- Long-sleeved pants and shirts, tee-shirts and shorts with undergarments or a swim suit worn underneath.
- Traditional ethnic clothing (e.g. saris and hijabs) with a swim suit or undergarments worn underneath. For safety reasons, patrons wearing traditional garments such as saris are asked to remain in the shallow end of the pool and to refrain from using the dive tank.
In order to ensure that our aquatic environments are safe and free from any external contaminants, all participants are required to:
- Wear clothing that is different from the clothing worn to the facility
- Take a complete and cleansing shower (while clothed in the swim attire that will be worn in the water) before entering the pool
Through this policy, Recreation affirms its commitment to recognizing and valuing the diversity of our customers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decide which lesson level to register my swimmer in?
Swimming lesson levels are based on the skill level of the swimmer. Proof of previous level completion is not required as long as the swimmer's skills meet the description of the lesson level.
A complimentary swim assessment can be booked by contacting Recreation.
Why is it important that my swimmer is registered in the correct lesson level?
Registering a swimmer in the correct lesson level ensures the safety of all participants. It also helps swimmers better improve their skills and feel more confident in their abilities.
Once lessons have started, what if it becomes apparent that my swimmer does not meet the skill level required for a lesson level?
Swimmers who do not meet the skill level required may have a difficult time excelling in their learning and progression. When space allows, swimmers may be transferred to another class.
Should I be concerned if my swimmer is required to take the same lesson level multiple times?
It is completely normal for some swimmers to take the same lesson level more than once. Swimmers progress at different paces and this not reflective of individual effort or competence. Swimming during times outside of lessons is an essential way to ensure swimmers practice their skills and progress in their ability.
What are combined-level swimming lessons?
Combined-level classes teach skills from two lesson levels and can be great for swimmers who are unsure which lesson level matches their skill level. Combined-level classes are limited in offering based on enrollment.
Combined-level classes aren't offered for all levels. Skills in some levels align better than others. For instance, the skills taught in Swimmer 3 and 4 align more closely than those in Swimmer 2 and 3.
How much do swimming lessons cost?
Swimming lesson prices vary based on number of classes in a course, the total number of instruction hours and the number of swimmers in each class. Group lessons range from $5.75 to $10 per class. Private lessons cost $47.50 per class.
Are there any additional costs for lessons?
No. Swimming lessons do not have any additional costs.
Lifesaving and swim certification courses may have some material costs and certification fees which are paid to the Lifesaving Society.
Can I register a swimmer for multiple lessons in a single season?
We recommend each swimmer only take one lesson per season. This allows a full assessment of a swimmer’s ability before choosing an appropriate subsequent lesson.
My swimmer has not yet completed their current set of swimming lessons. Which lesson level do I register them for next?
We recommend waiting until lessons are complete and you’ve received a report card before registering a swimmer in more lessons. If this is not possible, we recommend registering in a combined-level lesson or waiting until the following season to register.
Does my swimmer need to practice swimming in addition to lessons?
Absolutely. Lessons teach core skills, but practicing will help swimmers progress at a much faster rate and is essential to becoming a better swimmer. Find public swim times at our locations at calgary.ca/pools.
More swimming lessons
-
Parent & Tot programs that focus on structured in-water interactions stressing the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills.
Ages: over 6 months + adult
-
Swim programs designed to challenge endurance and help develop swimming strokes and skills for those that can already swim independently.
Ages: 6 - 17 years
-
Swim programs for beginners who want to gain confidence in the water or improve their technique and endurance while learning to swim.
Ages: 13 + years
-
A customized, one-on-one swim program designed to focus on specific goals and for individuals who require additional support.
Ages: 3+ years.
-
Become a lifeguard or swim instructor by taking Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, Lifesaving/Swim for Life® Instructor and Standard First Aid courses.
Ages: 8+ years