My children started to learn to “swim’ at one and three years old, which was more about giving them confidence in the water, and their parents making new friends. They started productive lessons around 6 and became competent at 7. By 9 they could swim over 200 metres and tread water for a 3 minutes, (which as they were going to sail dinghies was essential.)
Competition is hot for the best swimming teachers and classes. (My experience of the mammary-grapevine was a warm one, but some have experienced cooler responses to sharing vital information such as best swimming instructors).
I sat with other Mums and melted beside the pool as our darlings swam up and down and up and down. (Maybe organise a group of your pals’ children to have a lesson at the same time, so you can catch up.)
One useful piece of advice that Jo our swimming teacher gave me was that she allowed the children to stay in the shallow end until they were confident. Once Jo saw they were capable they were gradually moved into deeper water. No cheating by keeping their feet on the bottom, rather than swimming.
One of the reasons I wanted my children to be able to swim 200 metres, was not for the badge, but to know that I had 100 metres of time to reach them if they fell into the sea.)