Frequently Asked Questions

If you are unable to attend a swim lesson, just let us know prior to the lesson and we will arrange a ‘make-up lesson’ at no cost. Every student is entitled to four make-up lessons for every 12 months of enrolment. For full details please download our Make-Up Lesson Procedure here.

You can also download our make up lessons terms and conditions

We offer four make-up lessons per year for each member, plus a no-cost medical suspension. Please note that pool access is not available during the suspended period.

Medical suspensions are available at no charge for students who are unable to attend two or more consecutive lessons (to a maximum of eight lessons). Medical suspensions can be back-dated for one month and must be arranged in person or email to the centre and be accompanied by a supporting medical certificate.

Non-medical suspension is not permitted, with the exception of two week Summer Suspension offer over the December / January non-program period. Enrolled members will receive an email communication with the option to register for this suspension towards the end of the program year.

For more information on make up lessons and program fees please refer to our FAQs.

Whilst the YMCA understand the capturing of your magic moments is important, the privacy of others must be respected.

For this reason we do not allow photos or videos to be taken on pool deck or in the change room areas.

Absolutely. All children become a member of the Boroondara Leisure and Aquatic Facilities. The students have unlimited access to the pools to practice their newly learnt skills or to just have fun in the water with family and friends. 

Please note that all our pools are subject to capacity limit as outline by the Victorian Government, and any space outside of lessons is subject to availability

Infants are required to wear aqua nappies that are tight fitting around the thighs if they wear a standard nappy when not swimming. Standard nappies are not permitted in the pool. Aqua nappies are available for purchase at Customer Service.

If your child is under three and/or enrolled into one of our infant classes (Starfish, Periwinkle, Minnow) then a parent / guardian must be in the water for the lesson.

Lessons are not conducted on gazetted public holidays. If you miss a lesson due to a public holiday you can arrange a make-up lesson as per our Make-Up Lesson Procedure.

Alternatively we recommend you make use of your membership benefits which include unlimited pool access at any of the Boroondara Leisure and Aquatic Facilities to practice the skills learnt in lessons and for younger children to maintain familiarity with the aquatic environment.

Lessons are conducted seven days a week. Some families choose to enrol on a day that isn’t impacted by public holidays.

Goggles are not a compulsory part of our program, however we highly recommend children gain experience both with and without goggles.

They may appear insignificant but they can make a large difference to a child’s learning journey as they progress through swimming lessons. Most children who do not wear goggles close their eyes as they swim. This can lead to them becoming disorientated or preoccupied which makes them unable to focus on their stroke technique. We offer a great range of affordable youth goggles. Just ask Customer Service for assistance.

Swimming lesson memberships are perpetual direct debit agreements with no “lock in” period or cancellation fees; we simply need 14 days' written notice of cancellation.

Convenient fortnightly direct debit payments encourage continual skill development with no re-enrolment process. Every second Thursday the agreed debit amount is withdrawn from your nominated bank account or credit card.

The debit pays for the day of the debit and the following thirteen days.

The cost of the 48 week program is divided evenly over 52 weeks (26 debits). Direct debits therefore occur beyond the program dates.

If a debit has failed, you will be notified via text and/or email on the debit date. A $10.00 fee is charged for any rejected debit.

Every child progresses at a different rate. There is no one answer and we strongly encourage parents to not make comparisons with other children. Some children will progress quickly, others will take considerably longer. Variables that can influence learning include (but not limited to) overcoming a fear, natural aptitude and the amount of practice that occurs outside lessons.

Progression occurs within a level. Not reaching the next level does not indicate a lack of skill acquisition. Children improve within levels. It is also important for them to learn a skill rather than perform it once before they move to another class.

All students in our program are continually assessed by the teacher for improvement and readiness for upgrading to the next level. Once they feel that a swimmer is ready they will notify the teacher in charge for a formal assessment.

Regular assessments are also conducted throughout the year to provide you an update on your child's progress.

The teacher in charge's decision is final and he/she will discuss the outcome with the swimmer / parent either face to face or via an email progress report.

Yes, all of our indoor and outdoor pools are heated.

Swimwear, towel, goggles and dry clothes to change into after their session.

Medical suspensions are available at no charge for students who are unable to attend two or more consecutive lessons. Medical suspensions can be back-dated for one month and must be arranged in person or email and be accompanied by a supporting medical certificate.

Please be aware that it is not uncommon for young children to require a period of time to adjust to swimming lessons. Most children will settle within a few weeks; however we do encourage parents of preschool aged children to bring bathers along during the first couple of weeks in case your child requires additional support.

Our teachers and teachers in charge hold nationally accredited Teacher of Swimming & Water Safety Certificates, a current CPR and a First Aid certificate. They all hold Working with Children Checks and have undergone a Criminal History Record screen and Safeguarding Children and Young People training.

All teachers that teach infant lessons hold an additional specialised qualification.

Each student is issued with a membership card which must be scanned by Customer Service at every lesson to gain entry to the pool.

Children under five years old

• All children must be accompanied into the centre by a person over the age of 17 and be supervised within arms’ reach at all times in the water.
• All children must wear a pink wristband supplied by YMCA staff to help identify their age while swimming.
• Children will not be admitted without a full fee paying parent/guardian who must also be in the water at all times.
• Groups will not be admitted entry where the number of parents/guardians supervising a group of children under five years exceeds the ratio of 1:2.

Children under 10 years old

• All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied into the centre by a person over the age of 17.
• All children must be actively supervised by an adult over the age of 18 at all times. The adult must have a clear and active view of the child with no physical or structural barriers between them (this includes tech and devices
• such as mobile phones).
• All children must wear a yellow wristband supplied by YMCA staff to help identify their age while swimming.
• Groups will not be admitted entry where the number of parents/guardians supervising a group of children under 10 years exceeds the ratio of 1:4.

Birthday parties

• All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied into the centre by a person over the age of 17 and handed over to the supervision of the birthday party leader (staff member).
• All birthday party participants must wear a blue wristband and an age-based wristband (pink or yellow) to identify their participation in a party.
• The adult guardian of the birthday party child must remain accessible and actively supervise the group at all times.
• At the conclusion of the birthday party, children will remain in the supervision of the birthday party leader and supervising parent until physically handed over to their supervising parent/guardian.