Starting swimming lessons is an exciting step, but if your child is new to a swim school, you might be wondering where they should begin.
Should their swimming level be based on their age? What if they’ve had lessons somewhere else? And what if they can already swim but you’re not sure which class would suit them?
That’s where a swimming assessment can help.
At In2Swim, we offer free swimming assessments to help determine the most suitable class for your child based on their current skills, confidence and swimming experience.
Why Do We Recommend a Swimming Assessment?
Children of the same age can have very different swimming abilities.
One child may have been attending lessons for several years, while another may be starting for the first time. Some children spend lots of time swimming with their family, while others have had limited experience in the water.
Even children who have previously attended another swim school may have learned different skills or progressed through a different level structure.
Rather than relying on age or previous class names alone, an assessment allows our team to see what your child can currently do in the water and determine where they will fit within the In2Swim program.
What Happens During the Assessment?
There’s nothing your child needs to study or practise beforehand. Our swimming assessments are short, in-water assessments that usually take around 10 minutes per child.
The assessment is simply an opportunity for our team to observe their swimming and see which skills they are comfortable with.
Depending on your child’s age and swimming experience, they may be asked to demonstrate a selection of appropriate skills, such as:
- Water awareness and independence
- Confidence and comfort in the water
- Floating and body position
- Kicking and movement through the water
- Breathing
- Basic swimming technique
- Stroke skills for more experienced swimmers
Your child won’t be expected to demonstrate every skill on this list. What we look at will depend on their current swimming ability and experience.
It’s Not a Test
We know the word assessment can sound a little formal, particularly to a child, but there’s no passing or failing involved.
Every child learns differently and progresses at their own pace. Our team will encourage your child throughout the assessment and give them time to become comfortable in the pool.
For children who are a little nervous about starting swimming lessons, the assessment can also be a helpful introduction to the In2Swim environment before joining a regular class.
Does Every Child Need a Swimming Assessment?
Not every new swimmer needs to complete an assessment before booking lessons.
Aquatots, beginner Preschool and beginner School Age swimmers can book directly into their appropriate beginner class without an assessment.
For other swimmers, we recommend completing a free swimming assessment so our team can confirm the most appropriate In2Swim level before you book a class.
Coming From Another Swim School?
If your child has already been having swimming lessons elsewhere, an assessment is particularly useful.
Swimming programs and level names differ between swim schools, so a level completed at one school may not directly correspond with an In2Swim level.
During the assessment, we can look at the skills your child has already developed and determine where they fit within the In2Swim program, rather than relying on their previous class name alone.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Once the assessment is complete, we’ll let you know which In2Swim level we recommend for your child.
You can then view available classes and manage your bookings through the In2Swim Customer Portal or In2Swim App, or speak with our friendly Customer Service team if you need help finding a suitable class.
Once your child begins lessons, their skills will continue to be monitored by our teaching team as they work through the In2Swim program.
Why Starting at the Right Level Matters
A well-matched class allows children to practise skills they are still developing while gradually introducing new challenges.
If a class is too advanced, a child may find it difficult to keep up or lose confidence. If it’s too easy, they may not have enough opportunity to develop new skills.
The aim is to provide an environment where your child feels comfortable and supported while still being appropriately challenged as their swimming develops.
Book a Free Swimming Assessment at In2Swim
If your child needs a swimming assessment before starting lessons, assessments at In2Swim are free and easy to book.
Choose an option that suits you:
- Through the In2Swim Customer Portal
- Using the In2Swim App from the App Store or Google Play
- By contacting our friendly Customer Service team
