Goldfish Swim School Richmond VA Lesson Review

As a parent of 2 kids close in age that would be taking them to the pool solo I knew that swim safety was my top priority even when they were infants. My kids like to do this thing where they hatch a plan and run in seperate directions and make me go crazy! So, I knew if I was heading to the pool with a 3 and 1 year old solo, I needed a serious game plan.

Goldfish Swim School Richmond, VA. Lesson Review

When Goldfish Swim School opened in Richmond, VA in 2018, we were there on opening day and we have been members ever since. We have since added a third child to our family and all 3 boys have been at Goldfish Swim School weekly to work on swim safety skills and learn how to swim and be safe in the water. My older boys were more than prepared for our neighborhood swim team at ages 5 and 7 thanks to the foundational skills they learned at Goldfish Swim School.

Goldfish Swim School has been a phenomenal resource for my children and my family, and we are so thankful they have become a part of the Richmond, VA community.

What is Goldfish Swim School?

Goldfish Swim School is a tropical, fun environment for families and children to learn lifesaving water safety skills while having the time of their lives. You walk into a bright and friendly environment decorated with palm trees and colorful underwater murals and it’s hard not to smile.

Goldfish Swim School operates year round for perpetual swim lessons to maintain progress and keep working on skills for your little fish!

The swim facility is state of the art and you can watch your child through their entire lesson. After each lesson you check in with the swim teacher to get a report on what they worked on, how they did, and what they will continue to work on at the next lesson. Your child can earn ribbons for skills learned and rewards for moving up to the next class / level! All progress is celebrated and most importantly - your child will have fun.

Goldfish Swim School has franchises all over the United States so even if you are not in Richmond, Va. do not worry there may be a swim school location near you. You can check to find the closest Goldfish Swim School location by using this link.

Is the pool at Goldfish Swim School heated?

Yes, the pool is kept at a warm and comfortable 90 degrees year round.

What Is the Minimum Age to Begin Lessons at Goldfish Swim School?

4 months. The infant swim classes are parent inclusive. The staff use dolls to show parents how to position and move their baby during swim lesson/ class. There are fun and engaging floating toys that are used for class with infants. Each infant swim class begins and ends with a song. As much as I thought I would dislike putting on a bathing suit even in winter, I looked forward to that time in the infant classes with my boys. It was such a great way to bond in the pool and show them that I was right there as they learned!

As your child progresses and gets older (typically around 2) they move into the child only classes and parents can watch from the other side of the glass window and read a book, chat with other parents, and/or relax!

Why is it Important to Stay in Swim Lessons All Year Round?

Like any other sport or activity, repetition is key. Consistently working and progressing at the skills creates more sustainability as well. Not to mention, its fun! My boys look forward to their lesson and wake up thrilled when its the day we head to Goldfish Swim School.

Why Choose Goldfish vs. Other Swim Lesson Options?

The atmosphere is like no other. The staff LOVE my children. They are so much more than a swim teacher to us. They have become a part of our family. We speak their names as if they live in our home, we have them babysit, we have welcomed them into our lives and my children will remember them forever.

My children are having so much fun while learning how to swim. I cannot ask for a better experience for our family and we are so thankful for Goldfish Swim School.

Long term I want to feel confident in their ability to be safe around water. Goldfish Swim School teaches far more than how to correctly swim a stroke. They discuss how to be safe around water, what to do if you fall in, what side of the body of water to swim to, and other life saving skills. These concepts were taught to my boys as early as 1 at Goldfish Swim School and I can see them putting them to use even 4 years later when we are around water at the neighborhood pool. lakes, water parks etc.

What if I miss class?

No big deal, you are issued a makeup token that you can use at a future date. These do not expire, so if you are headed on vacation or are sick you can make up for that lost time in the pool at your earliest convenience.

What do I need to bring to lessons at Goldfish Swim School?

Your child, goggles, their swim suit, and a towel. I bring my children dressed and ready to go with their swimsuits on and then we change in the changing rooms after. You dont have to come ready, that’s just a personal preference when I have 3 kids to change.

If your child is not potty trained, Goldfih Swim School does ask that your child wear a reuseable swim diaper.

Can all of my kids swim at the same time?

Yes, and this is one of the main reasons I love Goldfish Swim School. The pool is massive so there are many lessons occurring at the same time. I always booked lessons for various children at the same time so they could have their own time with teacher. The staff were flexible and were willing to brainstorm ways to make bringing 3 kids easy on my schedule.

There are many weekend and evening options available as well. The weekdays are more quiet and there are less children in the pool, often allowing my children to have a 1:1 lesson or half of the full class ratio which is a treat!

What Can Siblings Do If They are Not Swimming?

There are chalk boards and a table with coloring sheets and crayons available too. There is a fish tank to check out and free wifi for older siblings too!

What amenities are offered at Goldfish Swim School?

Goldfish Swim School in Richmond, VA offers a hair dryer station, showers filled with soap and shampoo, bathing suit dryers and changing rooms. The changing rooms and bathrooms are spacious and easy to navigate with a stroller and multiple small children in tow.

My children love the candy and snack station behind the main desk at Goldfish Swim School. If you need a snack while there they have you covered.

If you forget swim essentials no big deal, the Goldfish Swim School has a shop available with swimsuits, towels, goggles and cute gifts galore. Don’t fret mom - we all forget a swim essential a time or two.

What is the Teacher to Student Ratio?

The student to teacher ratio at Goldfish Swim School is one of the best parts. Your child will have no more than 4 children total in their lesson. If your child is in a parent inclusive infant class, the max number of babies in class is 6.

There are multiple staff positioned around the pool ensuring all children are being safe and keeping an extra eye out. Safety is the top priority at Goldfish Swim School, and this is one of the major reasons why we have bene going weekly since it opened!

How much are swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School?

The price for swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School is 120.00 per month per child. This includes a 30-minute lesson with a max of 4 children total in class. If you break down the swim lesson cost at Goldfish Swim School you will find that the cost is 30 dollars per 30 minute lesson. This is the same cost or even cheaper in some instances than swim lessons at your local pool. Think about the cost of swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School as an investment in your child’s swim and pool safety and for your sanity.

The only other cost you will incur at Goldfish Swim School is the membership fee for swim lessons. The membership fee is per child enrolled in swim lessons and due upon registration. This Goldfish Swim School Fee is due annually.

Where is Goldfish Swim School Richmond, VA Located?

Goldfish Swim School in Richmond, Virginia is located in the Gayton Crossing Shopping Center. Goldfish Swim School is conveniently located not far from 288 making it accessible for families to get to.

Address: 9872 Gayton Road Unit 81B

Richmond, VA 23238

How Can I Keep My Children Safe at the Pool?

I live for summer - long warm days that turn into nights at the pool, popsicles for days, a tan, and so much time to hang out with friends. If you are like me, you are often taking multiple small children to the pool solo which can be a really stressful scenario if you are not prepared. I am putting together a list of simple ways to keep your child safe at the pool not only this summer, but year-round. Read more about the 8 ways you can keep your child safe at the pool.