FAQ’s

Classes/Levels

All children are different. Some will come to swim lessons with no inhibitions about water and just need skills training. Other children will come to swim lessons with some anxiety about the water or putting their face in the water.

Children are at also different levels in maturity, physical coordination, and development. Our curriculum is based on 16-18 lessons per level, but some children will progress much more quickly. Other children will take time to get going with the lessons and then will progress more steadily through the levels.

Whatever the case, we teach each child with a gentle and encouraging approach and recognize that every child is different and has different needs. Our goal is to challenge your child and lead them along the path of learning to swim.

Categories: Classes/Levels, General

All children are different. Some will come to swim lessons with no inhibitions about water and just need skills training. Other children will come to swim lessons with some anxiety about the water or putting their face in the water.

Children are at also different levels in maturity, physical coordination, and development. Our curriculum is based on 16-18 lessons per level, but some children will progress much more quickly. Other children will take time to get going with the lessons and then will progress more steadily through the levels.

Whatever the case, we teach each child with a gentle and encouraging approach and recognize that every child is different and has different needs. Our goal is to challenge your child and lead them along the path of learning to swim.

Categories: Classes/Levels, General

Our class enrollment schedule is perpetual. This means we do not have a particular start or stop dates for our classes.

Individual classes are 30 minutes, for one day each week. Students can be registered for more than one class per week at the appropriate level. Charges apply for each 30 minute class that the student is registered for.

Time spent in a particular skill level varies, but can average from 16 to 18 weeks.

You may enroll at any time that we have a class that is appropriate for your child’s age and skill level. You will be enrolled in that class until you wish to change times or your child is moved up to another level.

At Little Otter Swim School we don’t believe that students learn according to the calendar and thus they are able to stay with an individual teacher until they have completed the specific goals for that class.

Categories: Classes/Levels, General

Individual classes are 30 minutes, for one day each week, though parents can enroll their children in multiple classes per week.

Categories: Classes/Levels, General

At Little Otter Swim School, we believe that children are most successful in a consistent learning environment. Because of this, we encourage you to attend your regularly scheduled swim class as often as possible.

We also realize that our families sometimes have unavoidable conflicts and cannot attend their lessons. Therefore, as a courtesy to our customers, we offer unlimited make-ups. If your family is consistently missing more than one class per month, please let our customer service staff assist you in finding a time that better suits your needs.

  • Scheduling the make-up class can only be done at the front desk when you come in.
  • Make-ups are based on availability and are not guaranteed.
  • We do not guarantee the same teacher for your make-up class.
  • You may not receive any type of credit for a missed class.
  • The make-up class option expires 60 days following the absence.
  • Make-ups cannot be rescheduled (we do not offer to “make-up” a make-up).
  • We cannot provide make-up classes for the following students: Lionfish special needs classes
  • We also cannot provide back-to-back classes as a make-up option for our Otter Baby Students

Because adding an additional student in the class may disrupt the consistency and integrity of the class setting, we do not recommend make-up classes if your child:

  • Is still upset or anxious about any aspect of the swim lesson experience (strangers, noise, separation anxiety, water, submersion, etc)
  • Is sensitive to change (time, teacher, environment)

Because we are dealing with young children and water, it is imperative that the safety and quality of our swim lessons take priority over any scheduling needs. Therefore, certain classes may not be available for make-ups. Our Deck Managers and Head Aquatics Leader will carefully consider the needs of the students, the teacher, and the class as a whole before determining if adding a student for a make-up is feasible.

Little Otter does not offer trial lessons, instead we suggest you come in for a visit and watch a class. We believe trial lessons are not fair to your child. Sometimes, it may take a few lessons before a child can adjust to a new environment.

Part of our philosophy is to love them first, and we work hard to build the bond of trust between your child and the instructor.

We do offer a money back guarantee, if you are not happy during your first 2 months of lessons, we will refund your money. All we ask is to let us know why you are unhappy and give us the opportunity to solve the problem.

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“We love little otter”

Customer testimonial

“My daughter was extremely fearful in the beginning, but Mr. Keith was supportive, calm, and comforting. Mr. Keith—thank you for your patience. Norah is now running into Little Otter to start her class.”

Amy Machold

Latest Blog Post

Little Otter Swim School UPDATE – COVID-19 Coronavirus

Hi Little Otter families, Lory and I hope everyone is safe and healthy. We are still paying attention to our government and health authorities. As you have probably heard, Governor Cooper has extended Safer at Home until May 8. Little Otter will be closed at least until that time. We will not be billing your…

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