Program Organization

Key Points:

Program Organization

• Thought, planning, and organization needs to go into developing the best methods to set up your local program and let the public know about it.
• Each facility is unique and no two program coordinators will operate in exactly the same manner or have the same needs regarding the amount of support or direction they will require in the areas of marketing and overall organization.

Financial Considerations

• Swim lessons can be an excellent source of revenue for aquatic facilities.
• Consider the following for swim lessons at your facility:
• Cost of lifeguard{s) to watch lessons
• Cost of the swim instructors
• Number of lessons you will have going on at one time
• Number of sessions
• Break even point and profitability point for lessons
• Explain to instructor candidates how select sessions{levels) may have to be cancelled if registration is inadequate.
• Consider the following regarding the use of pool space
• The number of classes at various levels you can offer at the same time
• Whether you have use of the entire pool
• Whether a lane can be open for lap swimming so parents can work out while their children are taking swim lessons
• Any other activities that are going on during swim lessons, like water aerobics or open swim, that would require sharing space
• If your swim lessons will be going on during open swim try roping off the area for swim lessons so they are not interrupted by open swimmers.
• How much space a certain level will need.
• For example, an Advanced level will need a full lane but a Preschool level takes up a much smaller area of the pool.

Class Size

• Participants of different ages and abilities can require different class sizes.
• The maximum ratio of participants to swim instructors is 10 to 1. The Water Exploration and Safety level requires one adult to be in the water with each child. And younger, less experienced children such as those completing the Beginner level can benefit from smaller groups.

Class Length

• The length of classes can vary from 30 minutes to one hour. Be sure to convey to your instructors the length of their classes and the rationale for such.
• For preschool age children half an hour is usually the maximum length of their attention spans.
• For upper levels, 45-50 minutes for class may be needed.
• When considering class length evaluate the following:
• Air temperature
• Water temperature
• Weather for outdoor pools
• Class size
• Example class lengths:
• Monday - Thursday for 2 weeks: 45 minutes
• Saturday only for 6-8 weeks: 1 hour
• Twice a week for 4 weeks in the evenings: 45 minutes

Facility Policies and Procedures

• Swim instructors need to know local facility specific policies and procedures for swim lessons. Some of these policies and procedures include:
• Bathroom policy
• Weather policy
• Make-up classes
• Swim instructor expected arrival and departure times
• Registration procedure
• Registration deadline
• Cost of lessons
• Moving participants from one level to another l
• Where parents can view lessons
• Whether parents can leave the pool area during lessons
• Pool operations during swim lessons
• Basing classes on age or skill

Activity

1. Use of Pool Space
• Using the pool diagram provided by your Program Coordinator, discuss usage for your swim lesson program. Identify activities that will be taking place at the same time (e.g., water aerobics, open swim, or lap swim).
2. Swim Lesson Schedule
• Review a copy of your facility's swim lesson schedule provided by your Program Coordinator and discuss possible ways to improve the schedule.