Swimming lessons

Safety

A parent or guardian is required to actively participate in the water with babies and young children in all of our Infant and Preschool modules.

Spectating parents and guardians should always remain poolside watching their children whilst in lessons and follow the Watch Around Water Policy at all times.

Swimming teachers must see a visual handover to the parent or guardian of every child at the end of class so please ensure you are present for this to ensure the safety of your child and the continuous smooth running of our program.

The YMCA welcomes the capturing of your magic moments on camera or video, however privacy of others must be respected. The use of cameras and video at this venue is conditional upon having all relevant individuals consent to use images noting it is illegal to broadcast or publish images without consent. Under no circumstances are cameras, video cameras or mobile phones to be used in change room areas. 

Membership inclusions

Swimming Lesson members (adults and children) have unlimited access to any Merri-bek facility free of entry. Parents of Swimming Lesson students receive:

• free swim if their child is under five years as they must be in the water with their child;
• free spectator fee if their child is under 10 years as they must supervise their child (parents must pay for a swim if they are swimming).

Parents of children over 10 years must pay for entry.

If you take up a Summer Suspension offer, pool access over the suspension period will cease.

There are no lessons held on public holidays. If you miss a lesson due to a public holiday, you can arrange a make-up lesson as per our make-up policy.  

Payments

Your Swimming Lesson membership includes 48 lessons per year, which are paid via 26 scheduled direct debits spread evenly across each fortnight throughout January to December.

Your Direct Debit Request [DDR] Service Agreement, which you signed on enrolment, contains all of the information and terms and conditions related to your membership with us.

A seven day cooling off period applies to your signed membership agreement.

Membership payments will be made via scheduled Direct Debit as set out in your DDR Service Agreement.

If a scheduled debit date falls on a public holiday, we will debit your account on the next business day. Credit card debits are live transactions, therefore they will be honoured or declined immediately, so it is recommended that the funds are available the night prior to the debit.

Bank account debits may take up to five days to be cleared from your account.

Please ensure your nominated account can accept direct debits.

There must be sufficient money in your account on the payment (debit) day.

It is your responsibility to inform us at least three business days before your next direct debit payment if you need to change your payment details.

If your payments are not made on the due date, your automatic centre access and lessons will be suspended until your payments are up to date.

There is a late payment fee of $10.00 if your payment isn’t honoured. This will be debited from your account with the next scheduled payment.

If you find yourself in financial difficulties, please speak with a staff member as you may be eligible for our Open Doors program. Find out more about Open Doors.

Your YMCA centre may at any time upon sending an email or written correspondence to your last known contact address and giving 30 days’ notice increase the agreed amount or make changes to terms and conditions. If you have any queries in relation to any proposed changes please contact your YMCA centre. 

Cancellations

Your membership will continue indefinitely until such time as you request a cancellation in writing. This can be done by completing a cancellation request in centre or emailing us to request a cancellation.

No claim for cancellation will be recognised without a receipt of confirmed cancellation, either in the form of a copy of your cancellation request or a return email from us confirming your cancellation request has processed.

There will be a period of notice of 14 days between the date of request and the date of actual termination, during which any payments due must still be paid in full. 

Medical

If you or your child are unwell, stay home and get well. Help us keep our facility clean and healthy by not attending if you or your child:

• have an infection, contagious illness or physical ailment, such as an open cut or sore;
• have had diarrhea or ‘gastro’ symptoms;
• a rash that is contagious or undiagnosed;
• there is any other risk, however small, to other members and guests.

Infants are required to wear aqua nappies that are tight fitting around the thighs if they still need to wear a nappy. Standard nappies are not permitted in the pool. Please change your child’s aqua nappy away from the pool, and dispose of it in the appropriate bin.

If you miss a class due to illness, please book a make-up class. Longer term suspensions for the Swimming Lessons program are available for medical reasons. A medical certificate must be provided.

Children under five years old

• All children must be accompanied into the centre by a person over the age of 17 and be supervised within arms’ reach at all times in the water.
• All children must wear a pink wristband supplied by YMCA staff to help identify their age while swimming.
• Children will not be admitted without a full fee paying parent/guardian who must also be in the water at all times.
• Groups will not be admitted entry where the number of parents/guardians supervising a group of children under five years exceeds the ratio of 1:2.

Children under 10 years old

• All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied into the centre by a person over the age of 17.
• All children must be actively supervised by an adult over the age of 18 at all times. The adult must have a clear and active view of the child with no physical or structural barriers between them (this includes tech and devices
• such as mobile phones).
• All children must wear a yellow wristband supplied by YMCA staff to help identify their age while swimming.
• Groups will not be admitted entry where the number of parents/guardians supervising a group of children under 10 years exceeds the ratio of 1:4.

Birthday parties

• All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied into the centre by a person over the age of 17 and handed over to the supervision of the birthday party leader (staff member).
• All birthday party participants must wear a blue wristband and an age-based wristband (pink or yellow) to identify their participation in a party.
• The adult guardian of the birthday party child must remain accessible and actively supervise the group at all times.
• At the conclusion of the birthday party, children will remain in the supervision of the birthday party leader and supervising parent until physically handed over to their supervising parent/guardian.