•  What do I need to bring?         

All you need is a towel, swim shirt (rashguard) for sun protection, swim suit or a reusable swim diaper if your child is still working on potty training. (Finis is a great brand) Please DO NOT bring any floaties or goggles. 

• Should I apply sunscreen on my child?

I recommend that your child wear a UV protected rashgaurd. I do not allow sunscreen in the pool. Even the waterproof sunscreen comes off in the water and burns the swimmers' eyes. It also makes the children slippery. Studies show that 15-30 min of unprotected  sun everyday optimizes your vitamin D levels which is healthy and helps boost the immune system.             ​ 

• ​​​​How long are classes?

Each class is 30-minutes, give or take 5 or 10 minutes. Sometimes a child is having a breakthrough so I will keep them a bit longer.

• Do parents get in the pool?

On the last day of each 9-day parents are invited and encouraged to get in the pool, but it is optional. This activity will transfer the instruction from me to the parents. In the post-Covid era this may change or be discussed on a class by class basis.

• How many swimmers are in the pool at a time?

Each lesson has  2-3 swimmers at a time. It is important that we create a social environment which adds to the experience of each session. Children watch each other and learn from their peers. It also adds to the fun and creates a bond between the children.

• Is your pool heated?

Yes!! We keep our pool between 90-93 degrees Fahrenheit. The heated pool makes the process much more comfortable for the swimmers.

• Is your pool chlorinated? 

Our North Hollywood pool has a salt water system. Our Chatsworth pool is a traditional chlorinated pool but we may change it over to salt this year. If you are hosting the lesson at your home it is not mandatory to have a salt water pool.

• How do I prep my child before lessons?

Do not make a big deal out of swimming. Children feed off of, and are sensitive to, our energy as parents. Have a positive and excited attitude. Please remember positivity...if you are nervous/biting your nails on deck, this most times will transfer over to the children.

•  What if my child cries ?

In my experience most children cry the first couple days of class. It's ok! It's normal and usually developmental and age appropriate. This is a new place, with a new teacher and a new experience. But usually after a few days, the child gets to know me, they get really excited about being in the water and the crying shifts to excitement which leads to not wanting to get out of the water. The key is to make sure the child sees that the parent is consistent and has a positive attitude.

• What if my child tries to get out of the pool?

You simply and gently walk them back to the pool, give them a hug and tell them to get in. The less conversation during the session the better. Keep it short and consistent.. Its great to be supportive but remind them that Ethan is in charge and to stay 
in the pool until Ethan says its time to get out.

• What is your method of teaching? 

My method is taken from the no-nonsence method that originated by Tom Bradbury in the 1950's. Tom has now taught over 100,000 children the life skill of swimming with a 100% success rate. I DO NOT EVER throw children in the water and tell them to swim. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THAT METHOD.  I strongly believe that with a zen-like approach you can help a child discover their ability to gain confidence while in the water and learn how to swim. I am simply here to facilitate that. My goal is to teach the lifetime skill of swimming while instilling love and respect for the water! 

•   Do you still hold classes if its raining?

Yes, we swim rain or shine. The only time we do not swim is if there is thunder and lightning.

•  Should my child still come to class if he/she is sick?

Aside from fevers or a really bad illness, children should try not to miss a class as consistency is crucial to success.

•  How much does it cost?            

The cost of the 9-day session at one of our pools is $550 per child, and $1000 for two siblings.

• How and when do I pay?

​Payment is due the first day of class. A $100 deposit will be due upon signing up through the website (Credit card or Paypal). You can pay the remainder with cash, check or credit card. Make checks payable to Swim To Ethan Inc. or to Ethan Phillips. We also except Venmo(@swimtoethan) and PayPal([email protected]).

•  Do you use goggles or floaties?

No. We do not use goggles because it is important for the swimmer to be comfortable with the sensory experience of being underwater with their eyes open. If they happen to fall into a pool by accident, chances are they won't have goggles on, so it is important for them to be calm, recognize the feeling, turn around and grab the edge. Floaties are a crutch that most children will always use if you give it to them but, in reality, we cannot swim with floaties on. I also implore parents to throw away floaties for good after their child takes the 10-day course.

• What age does my child need to be to swim with you?

I recommend no earlier then 2 years old. If the child's sibling has already taken lessons with me I will consider starting them at 18 months. 

• What is the return policy?

If you need to cancel or reschedule we ask that you do so at least one week prior to the start date or earlier for a full refund of the deposit. If you cancel within one week of the start date and/or do not contact us your deposit will NOT be refunded. If your child has the flu, a fever or there is a family emergency, you will also get a refund or we can reschedule based off of the circumstances.