Ducklings: Children 9 months - 48 months with an adult from their home cohort
Ducklings is a water orientation class for infants and toddlers aged 9 months - 48 months. It is also appropriate for some slightly older children and children with separation anxiety or other special needs. Each student in this program is accompanied in the water by a responsible adult partner (i.e.: parent, grandparent or other known and trusted adult over the age of 16). Face coverings for adults are permitted OUT of the water if you desire but are NOT permitted in the water.
Adult partners learn techniques for securely holding and supporting the child in the water as well as ways to create a safe structure for swimming activities. This class can benefit your child by helping them to be appropriately comfortable and confident around water while developing basic skills that can translate to a greater readiness to swim as they age and grow. There is no such thing as "water-proofing" a child, this class helps develop a safety conscious mindset for your entire family around water.
Swim diapers are required for children who are not yet toilet trained in order to maintain a clean and safe swimming environment for all bathers and for the health of the child wearing them. Regular diapers fall apart in the water and can cause a rash due to chemical interactions. Bathing suits with an elastic leg should be worn over a swim diaper - NO REGULAR DISPOSABLE DIAPERS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE POOL. There are changing table stations in each the men's and women's locker rooms and the designated spaces on the bleachers will be cleaned before and after you are at the pool. We recommend that you come to class wearing bathing suits whenever possible, there is more access to change after class than before it.
Appropriate bathing attire is required of ALL participants (Please see our facility rules).
Please bring only what you need as space will be limited, but always include an upbeat, positive attitude. Your child will learn from your demeanor, facial expressions and reactions. For example, if you get into the water and wince or make an unpleasant face when you are splashed, your child may learn that water is "yucky". Positive reinforcement is the most effective method of encouraging your child at this stage; tell them how well they are doing and show them, by being excited about appropriate actions and efforts. You set the tone. If you get water in your face, smile and act like you like it! Your child will learn to like it too!
Spring Ducklings enrollment period OPEN March 11th
Saturday Mornings 10:15-10:45 AM April 6th- May 18th NOT April 27th *FULL as of 3/21*
Thursday Evenings 6:30-7:00 PM May 9th-June 13th *FULL as of 3/25*
Choose ONE (Saturday or Thursday) Seasonal Session: Deer Park Resident $40 per adult/child pair, Non-Resident $80 per adult/child pair
1. For Saturday Ducklings, email your enrollment requests for THIS swimmer AND any other children from your family who wish to enroll in Saturday programs this season by March 21st. (Youth Learn to Swim NEW spring schedule)
For Thursday Ducklings email your enrollment request for THIS swimmer anytime between March 11th-May 8th kavanagh.jm@deerparkschools.org.
Requests MUST include (copy and paste filled in with your answers recommended):
- Participant's Name, age and date of birth
- The mailing address for this family
- First and second choice of class
2. You will receive confirmation by email reply with an attached fact sheet including any current guidelines. DO NOT attend without confirmation.
3. Registration forms are signed and payments are collected in person at the first attended class for this program.
Seasonal Session Fee: Deer Park Resident $40 per adult/child pair, Non-Resident $80 per adult/child pair