Now I’m not a parent who like to over schedule my kiddos. I believe in extracurricular activities, but I really cherish our time home and not having to run from event to event yet. However, I also believe that swim lessons are a MUST. We are always around water and having a sense of ease knowing my child can get to safety in case something happens is a top priority in my book.
When we started Goldfish Swim School last September, we switched from a different school because my daughter regressed a bit and became afraid to go to class. I actually ended up registering her for a lower level class on accident as I didn’t realize her skill level. And now she’s soaring.
There are so many reasons why we love Goldfish Swim School in Denville but here are my top 5:
PLAY BASED SWIM: The classes they offer are fun. My children are learning the basic safety skills they need, but they are having a blast doing it. Kids learn to get their faces wet by pouring water on the instructors and then having them do it back, they learn to hold their breath by diving for rings, and learn to jump in the water off of animal shaped mats. I watched my daughter go from being afraid to jump in to now diving in and swimming across the pool on her own.
THE FACILITY: We love that you walk into a caribbean- like feel with rows of clean changing rooms and bath rooms. They offer hair drying stations as well as bathing suit dryers so you don’t leave with a wet head or a bag full of soaked suits. The pool area and water is kept pretty warm, so hoping in and out of the pool isn’t torture. The pool area itself is sectioned off by floor to ceiling windows. This is key if you have younger siblings it tow as you don’t have to worry about them leaping into the pool. There is even a play area and fish tank to keep kiddos entertained waiting for a sibling.
THE STAFF: Not only is the staff friendly (because let’s be honest, if this wasn’t the case I wouldn’t keep going) but they get kids. My son (who is 2) was having a hard time at first leaving me. The team didn’t even blink an eye – they had a second instructor jump in for a 1 on 1 lesson and to keep my little guy fully engaged. The manager even sat with me to let me know that despite my son’s crying at first, he would be ok because they have seen it all. Sure enough after the third lesson he was more than excited to have his own turn.
THE REWARDS: I don’t know about you, but my kids love a little “treat” to celebrate an accomplishment. Goldfish gives out special ribbons for mastering a skill such as the “superman glide” or rolling over and my kids are so proud to show them off and tell me all about the new trick they learned in the pool!
FAMILY SWIM: A fun bonus that Goldfish offers is Family Swim time where you and your immediate family can come and enjoy the pool and facility during designated non-lesson times. It such a great was to also get to know the facility if you are on the fence about enrolling in lessons!
This post was done in partnership with Goldfish Swim School in Denville, to learn more about their programs, please visit their website or follow them on social media.
