Goldfish Swim School Anderson has been an incredible part of our summer already. Our experience has been so well rounded, tailored, and fun, and I encourage my fellow mamas to check it out! Swim lessons are a no brainer when you’ve got little kiddos who will be around water, and at Goldfish, you can jump right in!
SwimPlay Philosophy is Gold
I am fanatical about safety in general, but water safety is especially important. The Goldfish Swim School earns this mama’s vote as their SwimPlay Philosophy makes sure to incorporate fun and safety together:
Guided Play + Safe Environment = The Science of SwimPlay®
What we’ve been able to observe in our sessions is a great mix of goofy and fun elements combined with learning. There is plenty of splashing, songs for the little ones, and Bubbles, the yellow and orange fish character, woven together with important skills. The instructors focus on entering and exiting the water safely, kicking and being able to keep our faces in the water. I, personally, love this because my kids look forward to lessons. They’re not just asked to line up, do something, wait your turn and do something again. The kids are having fun and engaging with one another the entire time.
What to Expect
Lessons at Goldfish are created around a series of vital swimming skills given cute names like “glider” and “swim force”. (CMB note: The kiddos love learning cool skills with fun names!) Lanes are dedicated, and lessons include up to four kids (Or 6 for the lessons when parents are with the little ones). Each lesson is 30 minutes long and provides a variety of instruction and skills to keep the kids learning throughout.
The Goldfish location itself really is amazing. It’s located in the middle of Beechmont Ave., but the moment you step foot in the door, you feel like you are somewhere else completely. The entire place is themed to feel like you’re on vacation, with bright colors, under the sea murals, and a “swim shack” changing area. Private spaces are set up for changing clothes and gender-neutral restrooms are available with a central station to dry your hair. When your kiddos get out of the pool, which is heated and super comfy, there is a warm shower on the deck they can use to wash off immediately.
To make parents lives easier in the changing room, they also include:
- Bumbo seats in the restrooms for the little ones
- hair dryers
- a swimsuit dryer
- extra diapers and wipes
- shampoo in the shower area
Swim level evaluation and fun rewards!
The team at Goldfish is extremely focused on getting your kids matched to the appropriate lesson. It had been a bit since we’d swam, so through a series of questions, the staff helped me place my kids in lessons we felt were appropriate. After the first lesson, we recognized a need to adjust, as my daughter needed to move down (Yes, she was the one screaming and wouldn’t go into the pool without me) and my oldest son needed to bump up (I’m not quite sure when he picked up a few skills I didn’t know he had, but good job buddy!). It was completely stress free to make the change and the team helped us choose a day when all three kids could be served in nearly the same time frame. Ribbons are given to students as they learn and demonstrate new skills, which was a huge confidence booster for my oldest. He was so proud of his ribbon!
Kids are kids, and in one lesson, my oldest experienced a bit of bullying, as he happened to have a pair of goggles on that had pink on them (I know, who cares, but boys). Parents wait in the lobby area, on the other side of the glass, so we were not quite sure what was going on, but the team lead on the deck motioned that she was handling it. So, we waited for our update, but meanwhile noticed a second instructor join the lesson and provide my son some focused instruction, helping to keep him on task. At the end of lessons, parents are invited in to hear progress reports, and we were updated, with a guarantee to talk with the classmates about the behavior issue while reassuring Gabe’s progress in the class. I felt so comfortable and confident in the way it was handled and appreciate their professionalism and care in the way it was managed.
Open Family Swim Time & Parties, too!
Yes, you read that right! This comfy, warm water pool is open for family time at Goldfish with the kiddos. Considering the rainy or overly humid days outside, it’s been a nice option and a great way to get our kids acquainted with the space they’ll be learning in. With a staff member on duty, open family swim time is a great opportunity to connect with the kids, practice our skills but not be swept away in the chaos of other larger pools in the area. And – this is a tech free opportunity for family time, which is so hard to do these days! The contained space allows me to trust my kids a bit more without the worry! We haven’t had a birthday come up just yet, but now that this is open, my oldest is already asking that his January birthday party be held here. I take that as a win, and a sign that we chose the right place for our family.
Our family is really enjoying Goldfish Swim School! If you’re an East-sider like we are, consider stopping by for Family Swim to check it out!
Did you know that Goldfish offers a free trial lesson?
To schedule yours, or for swim lessons schedules, visit their website or call (513) 813-5534!
