Aquatic Achievers Has Joined Carlile Swim - Learn More
Aquatic Achievers Has Joined Carlile Swim - Learn More
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive. You can jump to the most relevant questions by clicking on one of the buttons below. If you have another question that isn’t answered here, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team, who will be happy to assist you and answer any queries you have, by sending an email using this form.
Does the pool operate the same term times as schools?
Our lessons are run year-round, with the exception of a two week break over Christmas and the New Year period. In addition to our regular lessons, every school holiday we conduct a School Holiday Swimming Program, where for a reduced fee, your child can receive intensive tuition each weekday. Our School Holiday program provides a boost for those swimmers who are on the cusp of moving to the next level.
Are all Carlile Swimming teachers qualified?
Yes, beyond the industry standard. Carlile Swimming teachers and coaches complete an extensive and proprietary in house training program to teach the Carlile way. The Carlile Teacher Training System ensures new teachers undergo 30+ hours of training, including class observation, online theory and supervised teaching before they get to teach their own classes. In addition to this internationally recognised training, our teachers and coaches are all required to attain a nationally recognised qualification within their first 6 months of teaching.
All teachers and coaches with Carlile Swimming also have regular and on-going professional development focused on the programs they teach.
Why is the pool so warm?
Water temperature is maintained at the optimum level for teaching children to swim, ensuring they stay warm and comfortable during lessons. Experience has shown that cooler water makes learning difficult and causes children to lose interest in attending classes.
Is swimming more than once a week beneficial?
An extra lesson each week accelerates learning and our experience is that children who swim more frequently progress faster through each level. During the school holidays we offer our School Holiday Swimming Program, where for a reduced fee your child can receive intensive swimming tuition each week day. Check with reception about booking a second swimming lesson or to find out more about School Holiday Swimming.
How long will it take for my child to learn to swim?
Think about swimming lessons as a long-term process, rather than an event. To ensure continuous skill development, lessons need to be a regular part of your child’s weekly routine. As children learn, they progress at their own pace and master the skills appropriate for their age. We consider a child to have learned to swim well when they can perform the promotion skills of our Orca Squad – these include swimming 400 metres freestyle, 200 metres backstroke, 100 metres breaststroke, and 50 metres butterfly, all with correct starts and turns and maintaining good technique over those distances. At this point, children have developed long term skill retention and will have a skill for life.
Should I continue classes during winter?
Winter is a great time to keep your children active, healthy and building on their swimming skills. We find that swimmers who drop out of our program during winter often have difficulty picking up where they left off. For preschool children in particular, consistent year round practice is crucial to avoid regression – this is because their muscle memory and long term skills retention are not fully developed. Our indoor pools, with consistent warm temperatures, make lessons comfortable all year round.
Who should I talk to regarding my child’s progress?
The best person to talk to about your child’s progress is the Supervisor. Our Supervisors are always available to liaise between parents and teachers and answer any of your concerns. Please feel free to let them know of any special needs your child may have. Supervisors are easily recognisable by their ‘helper’ or dark blue shirts.
Feedback is important and that’s why we aim to provide all of our parents with a detailed update on their child’s progress regularly. This is delivered personally to each parent by one of our Supervisors, or via skills update emails and also on the Parent Portal.
Does Carlile use floaties?
Although we use some aids, such as hand floats and kickboards, we don’t use arm bands and back bubbles in our classes. It is easy to develop a false sense of security when using these and this can be dangerous. They also tend to keep a child’s head and body in a semi vertical position, which develops bad habits.
How clean is your water?
Establishing and maintaining water quality is critical to our business. Our pools are equipped with state-of-the-art filtration and disinfection systems. Water quality and chlorine levels are checked and adjusted regularly throughout each day.
Do I need to supervise my child at the pool?
Parents and guardians are advised to be present before, during and after their child’s swimming lessons.
What should I do when my child is ready for promotion from Waterbabies?
Moving from the Waterbabies class to the Penguin class will be a major step for your child, especially since this may be the first time they will venture into the pool without you. Our Supervisors are there to assist in making the transition as easy as possible for you and your child. They can offer advice about what to expect and what you can do to prepare your child, so please feel free to discuss any concerns with them.
What should I expect on day one?
When you arrive at the pool please check in at reception and they will help you find your class. On your first day aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early. This will allow you and your child to get used to the environment and possibly see your child’s teacher beforehand. Please do not enter the pool until requested or stay in the water after the class has finished. There are warm showers and change rooms available at all of our facilities.
How do I redeem my Active Kids/Swim Start Rebate voucher?
To redeem an Active Kids voucher or Swim Start, you’ll need to contact us and we can help. You will need the voucher ID number and your children’s information.
Find out more about the Active Kids/Swim Start Rebate and redeeming your vouchers with Carlile Swim.
Does Carlile Swimming have a Child Protection Policy?
At Carlile Swimming we are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children. We take a preventative and protective approach to Child Protection including staff training and development, a values-based culture, the provision of Child Safety Contacts and working with independent Child Protection experts. Learn more about our approach to Child Protection on our Safer Swimming page.
What are the benefits of starting swimming early?
There is strong evidence that children who participate in regular swimming lessons at an early age are better prepared for learning in other spheres.
Indeed, the benefits go beyond learning a skill that could save your life. Australia’s Griffith University conducted a ground-breaking four-year research study and found that 3 to 5 year olds who attend regular swimming lessons were:
At Carlile our Waterbabies and Learn to Swim Programs emphasise safety and survival skills, such as breath control and submersion, turn around swims back to the wall and backfloating. Ultimately, children who are comfortable and confident in the water at an early age are better prepared in the case of an emergency.
Can I change my lesson time when my baby or toddler changes sleep schedule?
You are welcome to change your lesson time as your schedule changes. You can do this yourself via your Parent Portal which lists all the classes that are available.
What if my child is regressing?
We always aim to challenge children and continually make progress when possible. However, progress may not always be continuous. It can come in spurts and children will occasionally plateau in their learning. Sometimes, they may even appear to regress. It is not uncommon for some skills to take a while to master, particularly if they are learning a new or difficult skill.
Being patient and trusting the process is important, but if there are specific concerns, they can be addressed with the on-deck Supervisor. It’s also important to remember that children are accomplishing something by maintaining their existing skills – many younger children will regress if lessons and regular practice stop for more than a couple of months.
What is your cancellation policy?
At Carlile Swim there are no lock in contracts. You can leave the program at any time, however you must notify us via email, 7 days before the next scheduled billing cycle. Our billing cycle calendar can be found here. Cancellation forms are also available at reception.
We are unable to provide refunds for cancellations made after the direct debit has been run.
What is a Free Lesson Assessment?
Every new swimmer will be assessed by one of our friendly Supervisors to establish which class level best suits their abilities prior to their first lesson. These assessments take roughly 5 minutes. If your child is between four months and two and a half years or has little or no experience assessments are generally not necessary.
Do you provide make ups, credits or refunds for missed lessons?
We do not provide credits or refunds for missed or unused lessons. For lessons missed due to public holidays or pool closures, the monthly fee will be reduced accordingly.
We do, however, realise that missing out on the benefits of regular swimming lessons isn’t ideal. Therefore, each child is entitled to 12 make-up tokens a year.
Can I take photos or videos of swimming lessons?
Learning to swim is an important step in a child’s life. Understandably some parents want to film or photograph their child’s progress. However, the presence of cameras can cause concern for some parents. In order to respect everyone’s privacy, parents wishing to film or photograph their child at the swim school are asked to consult with the Supervisor, prior to doing so.
How do I pay for my lessons?
Lesson fees are paid in advance via direct debit from your nominated account on a monthly billing cycle.
We also reduce your fee for when we are closed on Public Holidays and for the Christmas break.
Things to know about Carlile Swimming’s billing and payments
Guaranteed place – once you have a place in our program your day and time remains yours until your child is promoted to the next level or you wish to change your lessons.
Cancellations – if you leave the program, you must notify Carlile via email 7 days before the next billing cycle so your direct debit can be cancelled.
Places can’t be “reserved” – in fairness to people on waitlists, your spot cannot be guaranteed should you cancel and wish to come back.
If you have a question that isn’t answered on this page, click the button below & fill in the form to get in touch.
Welcome To Carlile Swim
