Frequently Asked Questions

If you are unable to attend a swim lesson, just let us know prior to the lesson and we will arrange a ‘make-up lesson’ at no cost. We offer four make up lessons per year for primary school children and four credits per year for pre-school children.

Whilst the YMCA understand the capturing of your magic moments is important, the privacy of others must be respected.

For this reason we do not allow photos or videos to be taken on pool deck or in the change room areas.

Absolutely. All children become a member of Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre. The students have unlimited access to the pools to practice their newly learnt skills or to just have fun in the water with family and friends.

Infants are required to wear aqua nappies that are tight fitting around the thighs if they wear a standard nappy when not swimming. Standard nappies are not permitted in the pool. Aqua nappies are available for purchase at Customer Service.

If your child is under 3 and/or enrolled into one of our infant classes (Starfish, Periwinkle, Minnow) then a parent/guardian must be in the water for the lesson.

Lessons are not conducted on gazetted public holidays. If you miss a lesson due to a public holiday you can arrange a make-up lesson as per our Make-Up Lesson Procedure.
             
Lessons are conducted 7 days a week. Some families choose to enrol on a day that are less impacted by public holidays.

Goggles are not a compulsory part of our program, however we highly recommend children gain experience both with and without goggles.

They may appear insignificant but they can make a large difference to a child’s learning journey as they progress through swimming lessons. Most children who do not wear goggles close their eyes as they swim. This can lead to them becoming disorientated or preoccupied which makes them unable to focus on their stroke technique. We offer a great range of affordable youth goggles. Just ask Customer Service for assistance.

Swimming lesson memberships are perpetual direct debit agreements with no “lock in” period or cancellation fees; we simply need 14 days written notice of cancellation.

Convenient fortnightly direct debit payments encourage continual skill development with no re-enrolment process. Every second Thursday the agreed debit amount is withdrawn from your nominated bank account or credit card.

The debit pays for the day of the debit and the following thirteen days.

The cost of the 48 week program is divided evenly over 52 weeks (26 debits). Direct debits therefore occur beyond the program dates.

If a debit has failed, you will be notified via text and/or email on the debit date. A $10.00 fee is charged for any rejected debit.

Every child progresses at a different rate. There is no one answer and we strongly encourage parents to not make comparisons with other children. Some children will progress quickly, others will take considerably longer. Variables that can influence learning include (but not limited to) overcoming a fear, natural aptitude and the amount of practice that occurs outside lessons.

Progression occurs within a level. Not reaching the next level does not indicate a lack of skill acquisition. Children improve within levels. It is also important for them to learn a skill rather than perform it once before they move to another class.

All students in our program are continually assessed by the teacher for improvement and readiness for upgrading to the next level. Once they feel that a swimmer is ready they will notify the Teacher in Charge for a formal assessment.

The Teacher in Charge's decision is final and he/she will discuss the outcome with the swimmer/parent either face to face or via an email progress report.

Yes, all of our pools are heated.

Bathers, towel, goggles and dry clothes to change into after their session.

Medical suspensions are available at no charge for students who are unable to attend 2 or more consecutive lessons. Medical suspensions can be back-dated for one month and must be arranged in person or email and be accompanied by a supporting medical certificate.

Please be aware that it is not uncommon for young children to require a period of time to adjust to swimming lessons. Most children will settle within a few weeks; however we do encourage parents of preschool aged children to bring bathers along during the first couple of weeks in case your child requires additional support.

Our Teachers and Teachers In Charge hold nationally accredited Teacher of Swimming & Water Safety Certificates, a current CPR and a First Aid certificate. They all hold Working with Children Checks and have undergone a Criminal History Record screen and Safeguarding Children and Young People training.

All teachers that teach infant lessons hold an additional specialised qualification.

Each student is issued with a membership card which must be scanned by Customer Service at every lesson to gain entry to the pool.

At YMCA Victoria we are a Watch Around Water endorsed aquatic safety organisation. The following information is the new watch around water policy launched in centre from 1 September 2019.

Watch Around Water is a set of industry guidelines outlining the minimum supervision requirements of young children at all affiliated aquatic venues.

Children under 5 years old

Children under 10 years old

Birthday parties

Visit the watch around water website