Deciding on swim lessons can be tough. It’s such an important thing for kids! It’s also important for families to find a program that works for them. Everything about Goldfish Swim School is wonderful from the warm and inviting environment, staff who cares, ability for children to progress at their own pace, and the flexibility for families. Goldfish Swim Lessons are really life changing!
Y’know how, as a parent, that “feeling” can tell you everything? That great feeling is what we get at Goldfish Swim School – Oakdale. Our kids have taken other swim lessons and we’ve looked into other swim schools, but this is why Goldfish Swim Lessons have been live changing for us!
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If you follow along with us on social media, (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter – get on that!) you may have seen that the kids have been taking swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School in Oakdale, MN for months now. About five to be exact, with some time off before the crazy start of a new school year.
Prior to our Goldfish swim lessons, the kids had been taking lessons through community education during each summer. We tried classes and semi-private lessons, and never felt like it was quite the right fit.
Let me tell you about our little swimmers…
Both our kiddos grew up around water. We have a cabin in northern Wisconsin and they have been on the the lake and on the boat since they were born. Before they were in school we also spent a month each year at a house in Florida with a pool. However, I think our problem was our reliance on swim vests. I swore by those swim vests and felt safe with the kiddos swimming in the pool or off the end of the boat.
In hindsight, the swim vests probably hindered them a bit.
Our Little Guy is currently 8 and, though he and his sister started swim lessons at the same time, he has pulled ahead of her in lessons. During the summers, they were in the same class. However, he started to advance a little quicker.
Little Lady is turning 7 this month and has been afraid to put her face in the water. Looking back, I can’t remember when this started. She did have a scare when she started slipping down the deep end of a pool and I had to jump in after her. She may have been afraid before, or this may be a result of that.
Goldfish Swim Lessons
As I was setting up the swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School in Oakdale, I was thrilled to learn that they have many classes going at the same time. My kiddos will probably never be in the same class like they were when they were little. It’s so nice that we can arrive at the same time for both of them.
Also, the flexibility as they move up has been amazing. But I’ll get to that soon…
Our first experiences with Goldfish swim lessons
When you walk into a Goldfish Swim School it almost takes your breath away because it’s so stinkin’ cute! They have a tropical theme throughout the entire place. The changing rooms are cabanas. There are bright colors everywhere. The 90 degree pool is surrounded by a huge underwater scene mural. There is even a fish tank.
They have thought of all the little extras that make you feel like they know exactly what you need! Especially at our Goldfish swim lessons in Oakdale.
When you join they give you a Goldfish tote that everyone continues using each week for all their supplies. They provide soap – usually a baby 3-in-1 – in the showers, which are located in the pool area and in each bathroom. When the kids are done showering, they can dry their hair at the adorable hair-drying station with a large mirror, thatch roof, and surfboard benches. There are even swim suit dryers and a changing station with extra diapers. Everything you could need!
They even have a different little prize each week at the front desk. Our kiddos have picked up bath toys with the Goldfish mascot, temporary tattoos, and coloring sheets. They love it!
Tailored to each individual swimmer
As I mentioned, even if your kids aren’t at the same level, you can find classes at the same time. Even with small class sizes and a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio, they are so helpful with finding the best class time for you.
Timid swimmers
Our Little Lady, because she doesn’t like to get her face in the water, has stayed as a Glider 1 since we started. She began the first two lessons in tears. The second time is no one’s fault but my own because I mixed up the time and they still got her in a different class. Besides those two times, and probably because of how well it was handled, she has looked forward to swim lessons at Goldfish every week! Her teachers have been patient while also encouraging her to push her boundaries.
Quickly progressing swimmers
Our 8-year-old on the other hand has flown through the levels! He started in Glider 2 and moved up to Glider 3 by the end of the summer. In fact, he was only in Glider 3 one day before they passed him on to Pro 1. All along, Goldfish has been so amazing about finding a schedule where both kids can have their class times together.
This is something that is so unique to Goldfish swim lessons!
The kids move up exactly when their ready. You don’t have to wait for a session to end before your child can advance.
Swim lesson progress
Each lesson parents are called in to review their child’s progress. They will show you a new skill and the teacher will tell you what they are working on. If they completed all the skills for that particular class, they will give you a written progress report and direct you to the front desk to move to the new class. They also have certain times a year when all children receive a progress report.
Birthday Parties
Goldfish Swim School offers more than just swim lessons! It’s also a great place to have a birthday party. This is something we’re looking forward to experiencing this weekend. Little Lady is turning 7 and is really looking forward to it!
So far, the process has been a breeze! We were given invitations for her whole class. In addition, I added a little “additional information” for the parents because I’ve always been nervous about pool parties. Especially for my more timid swimmer. I love knowing that, in addition to a lifeguard, all children are required to wear provided swim vests. If, after the quick safety demonstration, some children would like to take a short swim test they can do so and swim without the vest. I also love knowing that parents are welcome to swim as well and cupcakes and a juice box will be provided.
We had the most wonderful birthday party at Goldfish Swim School for Little Lady’s 7th birthday. She invited her whole class and had a turnout of about a dozen kids.
Even with all those kids, Ashley and Ashley had it covered with one life-guarding the pool and one taking care of the party in the main space. It was a breeze!
Also Read: Spy Party Birthday – 7 missions kids will love!
Goldfish Swim Lessons have been life changing
If you have ever been looking for childcare, schools, children’s activities, etc. you know how important it is to get that “feeling.” That warm feeling that tells you it’s the right place for your child. This is what we have at Goldfish Swim School in Oakdale.
Swim lessons are so important. Probably the most important activity you will ever sign your kid up for because it could be the difference between life and death. In an environment that is warm and friendly, with teachers who care, and programs that are tailored to each swimmer, your child will excel and be safer because of it.
Things You’ll Love about Goldfish Swim Lessons
Warm and fun environment
Goldfish swim lessons are fun for kids and families because it’s like a tropical vacation.
Ability to move at their own pace
Each swimmer gets the attention and instruction they need as long as they need it. Instead of waiting for a session to end, they can move up at the exact moment they are ready.
4:1 child to teacher ratio
The class sizes are small, which is always a good thing. The level of direct interaction and time each kiddo gets is great.
Daily personal progress updates
Not only do you get written progress reports certain times of the year, but every single lesson parents are called in for the last couple minutes of class. The instructor tells us what they are working on and gives us an example with the child of what they have learned.
Member appreciation
Goldfish – Oakdale is pretty amazing with member appreciation! As I mentioned, we have only been there since the beginning of summer, but have experienced two member appreciation weeks. They offer free treats, special surprises, and giveways for prizes. In addition to member appreciations weeks, they always have a bowl on the counter with a special prize for the kids to take home. Our kids have a collection of fish mascot bath toys, tattoos, and coloring sheets. They love it!
They think of everything!
Goldfish Swim School in Oakdale is amazing at anticipating everyone’s needs! They have showers in the pool area and the bathrooms stocked with soap/shampoo. There is a hair drying station (so important for Minnesota winters!) and two suit drying machines. The diaper changing station is stocked with anything you may forget. Snacks can be purchased for mere change. They give you a tote and t-shirt when you start. I could go on and on!
The pool is always 90 degrees
Parents watch from chairs through a entire wall of windows. Thank goodness, because that pool area is warm and toasty! The pool is kept at 90 degrees, so the kids are always ready to jump right in and start class. No hopping around trying to warm up here!
They take no chances with safety and hygiene
It has only happened once. We were called with a cancelled lesson for a hygiene issue. I don’t know – and don’t want to think about – what happened in the pool. However, I can tell you I was impressed and relieved to know they take no chances with the safety of their swimmers. They are also so accomodating with make-up times that it’s not an issue at all.
Family Swim
In addition to lessons, Goldfish offers many family swim times. At Goldfish Swim School – Oakdale, they offer family swim times Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. It’s such a fun and free family activity that we plan to take advantage of in the cold MN winters!
That “feeling”
If you’ve felt it before, you know it can’t be put into words. It’s just a warm moment of knowing it is the place for you. We feel it, and Goldfish Swim Lessons have been life changing for us!
Win a free month of Goldfish Swim Lessons!
Our Goldfish Swim School in Oakdale, MN is offering one child a free month of swim lessons! This is an amazing way to try it out for yourself and see if you get that same feeling we do.
To Enter
We are making it very easy to enter and giving you lots of chances to get entries!
Facebook. To enter on Facebook, go to this post and follow the directions there.
Instagram. To enter on Instagram, go to this photo and follow the directions there.
That’s it! So many ways to enter!
Also, be on the lookout for all the Instagram posts this weekend as we celebrate Little Lady’s 7th birthday at Goldfish. There will also be another giveaway coming your way soon for an entire birthday party at Goldfish Swim School in Oakdale!
Follow Goldfish Swim School – Oakdale on Instagram and Facebook. If you’re not local, check the Goldfish Swim School site to see if there is a Goldfish near you! Make sure to tell them I sent you!
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