Details & Policy

First Swim offers customers on the current term, the opportunity to book and attend Drop-in (‘Extra’) lessons that are appropriate to the level of learning based on the child’s booking for the term. These lessons are regular lessons, that occur in line with First Swim’s Term Schedule and are subject to our usual controls and policies, including class size and duration. Attendees of Drop-in lessons are subject to the First Swim Terms and Conditions, Code of Conduct and Assumption of Risk policies. Essentially attending a Drop-in lesson is no different to attending your regular class or indeed a Catch-up lesson, and you will be taught in line with the lesson objectives and lesson plan along with other customers of the same or similar levels.

Drop-in lessons are in no way necessary to complete a course, but are complimentary to your regular lessons and support our approach to successful and safe swimming development which is, ‘time in the water, under instruction’; whilst building little one’s confidence, strength, co-ordination and promoting bonding and of course, fun. There’s no limit to the number of Drop-in lessons customers can book throughout a term, but we do advise against more than 3 sessions a week (including your regular lesson and any catch-ups) for children younger than 12 months old.

Drop-in lessons are booked exclusively online by current customers only, by accessing ‘My Account’ and clicking on the ‘Book a Drop-In’ link. First Swim Team Members are unable to book Drop-In lessons but will be able to guide customers through the process if they get stuck.

Booking a Drop-in is limited primarily to joining lessons taking place today, tomorrow and in some limited cases longer, with availability depending on how many regular attendees are attending their lesson and any catch-ups that are booked in.  It’s only possible to book Drop-in lessons that are shown in our online tool in the ‘Drop-in Lessons Available’ section  – this is to ensure we maintain available spaces for our customers who wish to use their catch-up lessons. Availability of spaces is real-time, so any spaces sold are on a strictly first come, first served basis at the time of booking. We are unable to maintain waiting lists or give any priority to customers wishing to attend specific lessons if spaces become available – customers wishing to attend specific lessons are encouraged to check the Drop-in availability regularly to see if spaces become available.

To book a Drop-in, customers will be asked to select their child’s name and then will be presented with a summary of their Term booking and Drop-in options (if any) that are available to purchase. Drop-In options will be limited to your child’s current level and/or levels up or down from your current booking which First Swim have determined as having the largest potential to compliment the learning experiencing in your regular lesson. Drop-In lessons can’t be booked if a customer currently has any Catch-up lessons available to use – in this scenario Customers should use their Catch-ups to attend a desired lesson.

The level of the Drop-In lesson is clearly shown both prior to booking in the ‘Drop-In Lessons Available’ section and during the Checkout process, it can be different to your regular Lesson Level. In almost all circumstances it is totally fine to attend lessons at Levels below your Childs current level, where familiar activities can be practiced, and confidence enhanced. Attending higher Levels than your current booking is usually fine too, where you’ll recognise some activities (as we maintain a gentle learning curve throughout our programme) and be introduced to others. In all cases if you are uncomfortable simply talk to our instructor who’ll be more than happy to guide you or offer alternative activities should some seem a bit of a stretch.

Drop-In Lessons are paid for and are not offered as ‘flexible’ as customers choose and pay for a specific lesson that is planned to take place typically either today or tomorrow, but in some limited cases potentially slightly further ahead, so it’s not possible to reschedule them .

Prior to booking, Customers should acknowledge that alternative/ substitute lessons cannot be arranged, Catch-up lessons cannot be granted, refunds cannot be issued, nor credits granted should they be unable to attend for any reason so make sure your comfortable before booking. Once a Drop-in lesson has been selected, Customers pay for it in advance using our secure payment checkout page.

In the event that a Drop-In lesson has to be cancelled by First Swim, then First Swim will advise customers via email with as much notice as possible. First Swim cannot accept responsibility to any inconvenience caused to or cost incurred by its customers should a lesson need to be cancelled. First Swim will advise on reasonable options available to customers for same day alternative lessons or issue refunds where alternatives cannot be found. Customers need to allow up to 7 working days for refunds to be processed and funds returned to the payment method used. Partial refunds may be issued for cancellations affecting customers during a lesson if less than 15 minutes of the lesson has been completed. No refunds can be issued to customers if they, their family members, or friends viewing or present in our Coffee Shop (or anywhere in or around our premises) or their children have caused the lesson cancellation, or who’s behaviour is in breach of our code of conduct.

In line with First Swim’s Terms and Conditions, we are unable to guarantee a specific Teacher delivering the lesson booked, even if published or planned to do so. Refunds or Credits cannot be issued in the event of a Teacher change being necessary.

Drop-in lessons can only be booked within the term dates of the current term on which the customer is booked, we cannot sell Drop-in Lessons on an ad-hoc basis to customers not attending the term.

Unfortunately we cannot offer Drop-in lessons for Kick-Start Kids programme.

Please refer to our T&Cs for more info.

To book a Drop-in lesson click here and select ‘Book Drop-ins from the menu’.