As businesses begin to re-open after lockdown and social distancing rules are slowly relaxed, Swimtime are running a reduced course of classes until the full schedule can resume.
From 25th July 2020 the UK Government has allowed swimming lessons to restart under strict conditions.
For full details of how we have adapted our programme to remain safe please see How Safe Are Swimming Lessons Post COVID
Swimtime operates from hundreds of venues across the UK.
However, we are reliant on the individual venues to inform us when they are prepared for classes to go ahead.
As a result, there may be a delay in the return of classes at some venues - this is accurately reflected on our Lesson Finder - if a class is not on the Swimtime Lesson Finder, it is not currently running.
The Lesson Finder will be updated regularly and has live, 24/7 booking availability
If you, or your swimmer, has:
a) a high temperature and / or,
b) a new, continuous cough and / or,
c) a loss of taste or smell
You must NOT attend swimming lessons. Please follow NHS guidance
If you or your swimmer tests positive for Coronavirus and you have attended a Swimtime class within the last 14 days, please tell the Track and Trace team who your local Swimtime office is: for example, Swimtime Surrey.
Swimtime Customers have two options:
Option 1: You wish to return swimming as soon as possible, in which case please continue reading this article for more information on what options are available.
OR
Option 2: You are not comfortable returning to the pool - no action is required, your place is secured in our main programme. You will not be charged and we will be in touch when the full program can begin.
Which Classes will be running?
For safety reasons, we are unable to offer a full return to the class schedule at this point, the current class calendar will remain frozen. In its place, we will be running a series of Interim Classes until the full class schedule can be resumed.
Please note, for safety reasons, some of our Interim Class are strictly limited to a maximum 3 children per class.
What will lessons be like?
Following an extensive risk assessment and in consultation with national standards, your Swimtime experience may be a little different. To help prepare you here is a short video of what you can expect is below.
Please note: due to Swim England guidelines, Swimtime teachers cannot currently teach in the water.
More information on what to expect from a lesson can be found here
What is My Pass?
My Pass was developed in response to the COVID-19 social distancing measures imposed during the phased ending of lockdown.
It is designed to reduce the need for contact when signing in at a venue and to confirm that you need to be on the premises. More information can be found here
Are there restrictions on class sizes?
The number of Swimmers in each class may be reduced to comply with Government restrictions, so it may be possible to run full group lessons. This is dependent on the venue.
As a result, in certain venues, Swimtime can only run a limited amount of Private Lessons up to a maximum 3 students. Our Class Finder will have the correct classes available for booking.
Who can book into these classes?
Places in interim classes are available to to both existing and new customers on a first come, first served basis.
Customers with an outstanding balance on their Swimtime account will not have their bookings confirmed until their balance is cleared.
How much will they cost?
The price will vary from venue to venue but due to the much smaller class sizes, these interim classes are more expensive than a standard group class in order for them to be financially viable.
Our network of small, family run swim schools are facing very difficult financial situations and we are doing our best to strike the right balance.
Once our full program resumes, our current plan is to run Group Lessons at similar prices to before COVID - 19 but it is likely some will need to increase by a small amount to cover additional costs.
How do I book these classes?
Booking will be available from Monday 20th July.
To book, simply visit our Lesson Finder as if you're booking a new class.
When using the Finder, select the class level, for example Eel, 1 and then search. Do not select 3:1.
To save time, Log In to your Swimtime Account first
What happens to the credit on my Swimtime account?
If you book onto an interim class then your Swimtime account credit will be used up as part-payment.
If you decide not to return until the full class schedule resumes, your credit will remain on your account.
How do interim classes work with my Swimtime Monthly Plan?
As we are unable to offer a full return to the class schedule at this point, the interim classes will only be available on a Pay in Advance basis.
Your Monthly Plan will remain frozen until the normal class schedule resumes.
Do I have to book into interim classes to protect my place in my usual class?
No. If you do not wish to book into these classes for any reason, no action is required.
- If you are a Pay Monthly customer, your plan will continue to be frozen
- Any credits will remain on your account until the normal schedule of classes resumes
- Your place in the normal schedule of classes remains safe
What to expect at lessons?
The number of Swimmers in each class will be restricted to comply with social distancing rules. We will monitor advice from the Government and Swim England to ensure we are operating safely at all times.
Swimmers may have to comply with additional hygiene standards as required by Swimtime or the venue - you will be informed of these where relevant
To assist, we have put together information on how to prepare for lessons, including what you should bring. For specific advice on class safety and what to bring to lessons please see here
How safe are the venues?
All venues have a responsibility to comply with social distancing and hygiene rules for COVID-19. Swimtime will be working with venues to make sure your lessons are as safe as possible.
Parents and swimmers may have to comply with additional hygiene standards as required by a particular venue - you will be informed of these where relevant
For specific advice on venue safety see here