I try to give my kids a chance at participating in a range of activities, especially while they are at this young age. At different times they have tried soccer, t-ball, skating, dance and more. But, first and foremost I always make swim lessons a priority. As far as I am concerned, learning to swim is one of those non-negotionable, must-learn life skills. So, I was excited when a new pool and swim school, Kids Can Swim, reached out and offered my three kids a chance to try out their lessons and method.

The Kids Can Swim facility just recently opened its doors in Kanata. This purpose built swim school is bright and clean with a family change room. It is open six days a week (closed on Friday) and offers lessons throughout the day. The skilled (and really lovely) instructors teach swimming skills that prepare your children for everything – whether that’s competing on a swim team or being safe at a pool party or at the lake.

My kids and I have done baby and child swim lessons with both the city and Dovercourt and I did notice a different approach from our first lesson with Kids Can Swim – specifically the focus on water safety and life saving skills. In the baby lessons with my daughter Ellie the instructor stressed starting to build muscle memory and motor skills such as reaching back for the wall after falling into the pool.

Kids Can Swim aims to make kids comfortable so they have an easier time learning and having fun. The water is always 32 degrees or warmer and pool depths are a maximum of 4 ft deep. When I stepped into the pool with my 7 month old at our first Babies Can Swim lesson, the warm temperature was the first thing I noticed. It makes such a huge difference when your baby isn’t shivering with blue lips and my two older kids certainly weren’t complaining about it either!

Why We Loved Kids Can Swim

• The warmth of the pool…already mentioned above. It makes a huge difference.
• The lessons have rolling registration. That means registration is open 24/7, year-round—there’s no one-day, session-based registrations. Parents can simply visit the website and pick a swimming time to register. If Kids Can Swim doesn’t have a session that works for you – chat to them and they will try to accommodate!
• Make up classes. Swimmers get one free make up class per month. That means when that inevitable cough and cold (or ear infection in our house), or vacation or whatever conflict arises, you can reschedule a make up class!
• Low ratio classes. The majority of Kids Can Swim classes have a 4:1 ratio, but admittedly we have really benefited from it being a new pool. My kids have frequently found themselves with private swim lessons. The attention in that 30 minute lesson is AMAZING.
• Constant swimming assessment. Swimming lessons begin with an assessment to ensure your child is placed in the right level. Assessments are then repeated every month so your child can progress at their own pace and progress when they are ready. No one fails and no one gets left behind.
• There is flat rate pricing. You pay per month with no contracts. Currently you pay $99 a month and can cancel at any time. So my kids can do two months of lessons and then I can cancel if we are going away all summer, but could look at signing them up once again when we are back in town.

As I have said, my kids got to enjoy a gifted month of lessons at Kids Can Swim. BUT I will tell you – we enjoyed it so much that once our month was up I registered my kids to continue lessons and WE DON’T EVEN LIVE IN KANATA. My kids got so much out of their lessons that it is worth driving for. If you are interested in giving Kids Can Swim a try then visit their website here and book your FREE trial lesson.