Does anyone have good recommendations? We have an 18 month old that we would like to get into swimming lessons. We have a pool and have tried to get into ISR classes, but those are difficult to schedule/get into.

It would be great if we could have someone come to the house for lessons, since the wife and I both work. I'm sure this will be hard to fine and a more expensive option.

Not too familiar with Aqua-Tots or Elmer Swim Schools, but would appreciate any reviews or experiences others have had.

We are located in north SA off of Borgfeld and 281.

We live in Northside ISD and used their community education program to sign up for swim lessons with my kids. They were done at the school district pools. Once we went we found one of the instructors we liked and we set up a time to do private lessons with that instructor. The community ed classes are usually in the evenings or on weekends and multiple sessions were offered. I'm assuming you are not in NISD living where you do, but they may have something similar to get you started.

We did Emler which was fine.

The downsides are:

1. It's a group class and a parent has to get in there so your kids will be exposed to some questionable San Antonio tattoos and likely some bathing suits which aren't appropriate for the activity

2. It's relatively short

3. There's a lot of singing.

So you hustle from work, change yourself, change the kid, finally get into the pool, then you sing and pour a cup of water over their heads for 20 minutes before it's time to get out, dry off, and change everyone again.

The upside is that my kids did eventually become competent in the water and moved up to swim team by about 5, so I guess it worked?

We are currently in Emler at Schertz w/ our 2 1/2-year-old. We started at 14 months.

Overall I'd give it a positive review. Getting there, getting you and the kid changed, and then getting out and changed is a bit of pain.

You would start in the water babies class. It's the exact same activities every single week. It doesn't change, which it seems is actually what they need at that age. Lots of singing and fluff activities mixed with harder activities. You start in a group circle splashing and singing songs to get them comfortable and warmed up, then you "Motor Boat" around in a noodle thing, then you break into stations that are mixed with skills and just water play. Then you wrap up in a group with a few more skills-based stuff and play stuff. The overall goal is the get them used to the water, able to go underwater for 10 seconds, and able to hang on the wall.

We are now in the extreme water babies class and we no longer need to get in the pool so it makes it a lot easier.

Our kid loves it, he has no fear of going underwater, he can stay underwater for 10 seconds, he can kick himself to the surface, and he can hold on to the wall. He can almost climb out of the pool on his own. The staff is pretty good.

The other parents are the annoying part. Most are good, some are not.