Learn to Swim

Due to the demand of our Swim Program, we are unable to offer Swim Trial Classes. However, there are times throughout the year that we are able to offer Baby Fish and Little Fish trials. Please contact our Hospitality Team at 609-926-2682 for more information.

Please visit our Swim Level Quiz to determine the best class placement for your child.

Yes! Swimmers appreciate our heated pool, kept to a toasty 90 degrees year-round.

Our instructors are committed to helping each child progress as quickly as possible while maintaining the standards of our proven curriculum. Each child's progress is unique and impacted by age, frequency of attendance, level of comprehension, development of motor and cognitive skills, and their ability to process multiple tasks.

Safe swimming begins with learning breath control right from the start, and children learn to hold their breath through experience. Going under water is something most children enjoy after just a few lessons. So, keep cheering them on, even if they are nervous. 

Due to the high demand of our Group Lessons, we are unable to offer any Open Swim at this time. We are hoping to offer it again in the future.

• Swim Suit – We recommend one-piece swim suits for girls and swim trunks for boys. Rash guards are okay, but not required. No sewn-in floats allowed. No swim aids (inflatables, etc.) of any kind are permitted at any time, as they can actually be a drowning risk. Bright Stars provides any swim aids required for class.
• Goggles – Goggles are required (except for Wee/Baby/Little Fish classes). Goggles are helpful in getting a child to put their face in the water and in getting them to open their eyes under water. There are goggles for sale in our pro shop and our staff will be happy to assist you.
• Swim Cap – All children with hair longer than ear length must wear a swim cap. There are a variety of swim caps for sale in our pro shop and our staff will be happy to assist you.
• Towel – Towels are NOT provided - please bring your own towel.
• Protective Layer – For the safety of everyone utilizing the pool, ALL CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 3 AND A HALF, even if they are potty trained, are REQUIRED to wear a protective layer during their swim class. The protective layer that Bright Stars requires is either the iPlay Ultimate Swim diaper- a cloth, non-disposable diaper- that can be purchased at our facility or the Happy Nappy- a neoprene, non-disposable diaper- that can be purchased at our facility. (Disposable swim diapers are NOT PERMITTED.) Our washable, reusable swim diapers are amazing! Your child will surely find them to be comfortable. Please understand this policy will be strictly enforced for the health and safety of all of our members. Any type of accidents that may occur in the pool would require a complete shutdown of our pool for up to 24 hours, causing many disappointed swimmers (and parents). Please understand, for the health and safety of our swimmers,  WE NEVER make any exceptions to this policy.

Swim families enter through Suite 3 (on the side of the building). Upon arrival for your first class, stop at the front desk to confirm we have your registration and you are all set for your class. Bright Stars has family friendly changing areas in our restrooms, which are located across the hall from our pool, through our viewing area. Once you are ready for the lesson, use the Check-In Kiosk to check your child in for class, grab a color card to indicate your child’s class Lane, and then wait in the viewing area until your child’s class is called into the pool deck. If your child is within the “Protective Layer Policy” age, please see the desk to receive your ”pass” confirming your child is wearing their swim diaper. Please do not let children enter the pool area until they are instructed to do so. Additionally, adults in the parent participation classes should not enter the pool area until your class is called.

Bright Stars offers cubbies that are available in the viewing area and in the hallway right outside the pool room. Please note that strollers are not permitted on the pool deck or in the hallway by the pool. Strollers should stay in the viewing area. Bright Stars is not responsible for lost or stolen items. All misplaced items will be kept on site for two weeks and held in the lost and found. Bright Stars is under video surveillance with security cameras located throughout the facility.

We have a viewing area with windows. Once your child has entered the pool deck for their lesson, please sit back and relax. Bright Stars provides free Wi-Fi for all customers. We do not permit parents or guardians on the deck during lessons as it must remain clear at all times in case of an emergency.

All children must be supervised by parents when not in the water. Siblings in the viewing area must be supervised as well. No child is to be left unattended in the viewing area/facility. All children under the age of 3 must have an adult in the pool with them. When no lifeguard is on duty, the pool is closed for all swimming. Parents or guardians should pick up their children at the end of class. Students cannot leave the facility alone.

If your child must go to the bathroom, the instructor will call over to the lifeguard to get your attention to take your child to the bathroom. The instructor and lifeguard cannot leave the deck to take them to the bathroom; a parent or guardian must be present to take them. Parents may return their child to the class once they are done utilizing the restroom.

Our instructors/lifeguard will watch for situations where your child might not be actively involved or engaged in the class. Our instructors have a lot of experience with tentative or even upset children, so it is okay to let us handle the situation, but suggestions are welcome! If you see that your child is struggling, you can talk to the desk staff and maybe offer suggestions on how to engage your child (e.g. offering them their favorite toy). Sometimes it’s best to stay out of sight as not to distract your child or the rest of the class. We will work with you to ensure their experience is a positive one!

If another guardian or caretaker will be bringing your child to class, please be sure to share the check in procedures with them so there is minimal confusion.

A safe and healthy environment is important for all children. Our illness policy is designed to protect the health of your child, the other children, and the staff. Please do not bring your child to swim lessons if he/she has had:

• Diarrhea (2 or more times within 48 hours)
• Vomiting (within 48 hours)
• A temperature of 100° F or higher (must be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning)
• Continuous runny nose, sneezing, or coughing
• Rash, lice or nits
• Red eyes with white or yellow mucus and not yet prescribed eye drops
• Unusual tiredness, crankiness, or needing one-on-one care
• An open wound that requires a bandage. If a cut or scrape requires a bandage, the child should not swim until the wound is healed. All band-aids should be removed before entering the pool.

When your child is sick:

• If your child will be absent from class, please submit their absence through the Customer Portal/App or contact us to let us know. We’re happy to provide a Makeup Token for a missed class. Each student is eligible to one Makeup Token per calendar month.
• If your child has a documented, non-contagious medical condition (such as allergies), please provide a doctor’s note.

Please inform instructors of any medical conditions such as diabetes, tubes in the ears, epilepsy, asthma or any physical or mental disabilities prior to the start of lessons. These conditions do not hinder a child from participating but may affect the way a teacher attends to each student’s needs.

Visit our General Questions on our FAQs page.