First Day Procedures

Take to the door

1. 2 clipboards with pens and blank info pages for parents to fill out in case forgotten

2. Swim bags to give to kids when they come in

3. Schedule with names of kids and parents, and how long the lesson is and the end time

Set up at the pool

1. Usual opening with equipment, don’t forget to do a water test

2. Keep your personal belongings tidy within the bin

3. When starting yourself a binder for the session, please only use one binder per pool, regardless of how many shifts you have. For example, if you work at White Rock, and you work Tuesdays and Thursdays, you would use one binder in White Rock.

In the change room (first impression)

1. Parents can use the changerooms at the following locations only:

   • White Rock

   • Walnut Grove

   • Abbotsford

   • Cloverdale West

   • Richmond

2. The following school is wrap & go only:

   • Cloverdale East

3. Introduction – Be casual, giving lots of eye contact. For parents, it is hard to turn their kids over to strangers. Shake parents’ hands and give the kid a high-5, go down to the kid’s level, and bring toys to the door for little kids to avoid crying. Introduce yourself… make up a funny name for yourself! I am Coach Clo. Thank them for being quiet as they wait!

4. Provide each participant with a brand-new black swim bag. So, 2 kids enrolled = give 1 each.

5. Collect Info pages

• Give to those who don’t have and ask to fill out and leave at the door

• If the child is under 3, see if the submerge box is ticked off. Ask questions about how they submerge if so… i.e., how many times they go under when they go with the parent, how they submerge, i.e., does the parent dunk the child or does the child go under when they jump in?

• If it’s an adult: collect a Par Q and make sure they have not answered yes to any of the questions. If they did, they must have a doctor’s note. Call Clo to see what to do.

8. Report card

• DO NOT collect previous ones if they have any, as report cards will be done online now

9. Show parents around the change room and remind them that kids need to use the washroom before the lesson and shower them (WR: you can shower them on the pool deck). Also, remind them that eating is not permitted in the changerooms.

10. Goggles/Flips/Masks/Towels? Bring to every class in a swim bag, remind them that they need eyewear, etc., to come out to the pool deck

11. Remind parents:  

• If they are not the one parent on the pool deck for the lesson (except CE), they must leave the premises and cannot watch the lesson from any windows, etc.

• No waiting in the fitness room or using any of the equipment (WR, Clov-West)

12. Tell parents class ends at: _______ So we will see you at ____? 

13. Hold kids' hands 3 years and under, or any kids that run, by getting them at the door from their parents. Best not to have parents bring kids under the age of 3 to the door, as they might cry… follow parents' lead if kids are crying.

When kids come out on the pool deck

1. Get kids to put their towels on the side and check to make sure their flip-flops are clean (if wearing any). No outside shoes are allowed on the pool deck. Also, check to make sure they don’t have a hotel towel. If they do, you will need to educate the parents.

2. Put on belts for safety and have kids practice kicking (on deck) so you can look at paperwork.

3. Look at the info page and report card. Figure out:

   • • Swim level

     • Parental philosophy (firmly or gently guide)

     • Shower kids

4. Assessment – have kids ask, “Can I come into the pool?” - This needs to be done every class. Then follow the assessment form.

5. Record on lesson plan as you go – safety first! 

6. Figure out if mask or goggles – goggles only if 6 seconds face fully submerged – if not mask. (Don’t get confused if they bring goggles – need to assess if goggles or mask) and then tell parents to buy from us accordingly.

At the end of the Lesson (Make sure you stay on time)

1. Help kids with their towels (if young).

2. Give feedback to the group as a whole.

3. Look at the schedule so you remember the kids’ moms' names for next class, as well as the kids' names. Bring a schedule with you and look at the lesson duration so you know if the class is 30 minutes or 45 minutes, or 60 minutes (very important).

4. Get a lesson plan ready for the new group near the pool 

5. Scan your pool always, especially at WG and Abbotsford, as there are no safety doors between the changeroom and the pool; therefore, if a child runs away from their parents and jumps in the pool, this could be dangerous.

Check out our Tutorial Video here