Toddler swim lessons inSan Francisco City

Looking for the best private toddler swimming lessons near me? It’s always a Sunsational time to learn to swim in San Francisco City! Our private swim lessons ensure rapid progress in essential water safety skills.

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Sunsational Swim instructors

Toddler swim lessons in San Francisco City, CA

Safe, fun, and taught at home!

With our Learn-to-Swim Guarantee, if your toddler can’t demonstrate the “Sunsational Swim Sequence” by the twelfth lesson, we’ll give you up to four additional classes for free!

Baby enjoying a swim lesson

Sunsational Swim School brings essential swim skills to your home pool or local community pool, helping everyone enjoy the water more safely across the San Francisco City.

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What are survival float lessons?

San Francisco City parents often ask if we teach survival float, self-rescue techniques or Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) lessons. We share the same fundamental goal as ISR - ensuring water safety - but our teaching methods differ. ISR often uses a method called “forced back floating”, where toddlers are repeatedly submerged to trigger a floating reflex. While learning to float is valuable, this method can cause negative associations with water.

At Sunsational Swim School, we focus on teaching both floating and essential swimming strokes. This ensures toddlers can stay afloat as well as move to safety confidently.

Our experienced instructors in San Francisco City use gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement, which helps toddlers develop water skills in a fun, nurturing environment. We’re committed to building a foundation of water confidence.

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Why are swimming lessons so important for toddlers?

Drowning is the #1 leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. among children under 5, and in most cases, it happens in just minutes – even when a caregiver is nearby. In fact:

Why Swim lessons important image
Drowningis the 1# leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. among children under 5 years old
9 out of 10drowning deaths occur while an adult is present
75%of children who drown were out of sight for five minutes or less

Swimming lessons can save lives. Give your toddler the gift of swimming which lasts a lifetime!

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Levels we teach on our Swim Lesson Programs

Tadpole Skills

Cue words to learn to hold breath underwater

Assisted back float

Assisted front float/submersion

Developing underwater comfort & water acclimation

Assisted Kicking

Introduction of Water Safety Skills (based on age)

Blowing bubbles

Assisted "monkey crawl" along pool wall

Starfish Skills

Unassisted backfloat

Underwater swim (person to person & to wall)

"Monkey Crawl" holding the side of the pool wall

Reach for the side of the pool after submersion

Assisted roll to back float

Assisted climb out of pool

Goldfish Skills

Unassisted kicking underwater

Underwater turn to grab wall (near edge)

Roll to back float (less assistance)

Unassisted 15+ second back float

Assisted fall into water and roll to back float

Unassisted climb out of pool

Jellyfish Skills

Unassisted roll to back float

Drop in from pool edge, turn around and kick back to wall

Unassisted 30+ second back float

Unassisted roll to back float after fall in water

Seahorse Skills

Tread water

Assisted back float

Assisted front float/submersion

Developing underwater comfort & water acclimation

Assisted Kicking

Introduction of Water Safety Skills (based on age)

Blowing bubbles

Assisted "monkey crawl" along pool wall

Dolphin Skills

Breaststroke

Jump into pool tread water 10s return to side

Forward somersault

Skull head first 5m

Backstroke

Dolphin kick

Seal Skills

Technique refinement for all strokes

Tread water 30+ seconds

Retrieve underwater objects in deep water

Flip turns

Head first surface dive in deep water

Butterfly

Members Of

Member of National Drowning Prevention AllianceMember of United States Swim School AssociationMembers of Female FoundersMember Stop Drowning Now

Benefits of kids swimming lessons

A 2009 study found that children who take kids swimming lessons have a significantly lower risk of accidental drowning. Learning to swim is essential for your kid’s safety and confidence in the water.

Kids swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning

Benefit Illustration

Unlike many sports, swimming is something kids can start at any age, and continue throughout their lives. Swim classes introduce young swimmers to a skill that is best developed early.

Swimming is a lifelong activity

Obesity is a rising problem in America, and swimming lessons for children might just be the answer. Swimming is a great full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health and builds muscle strength.

Swimming builds strength and endurance

Swimming isn’t just about safety, it’s about enjoying the time in the water with confidence. Kids swimming lessons teach children lifesaving skills while also helping kids learn to enjoy swimming for the rest of their lives.

Important skill for fun and safety

This might surprise parents, but studies have shown children who undertake swim lessons at an early age develop stronger cognitive and motor skills, which can help them succeed in school. This means they might do better!

Kids who swim do better in school

Benefit Illustration

Swimming isn’t just a fun activity and an important life skill, it’s also a fantastic form of exercise. Non-weight bearing and able to work out every single muscle group, starting swim lessons will keep them fit until they’ve grown!

A fun way to stay active and healthy

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

We're so confident in the quality of our swim instructors that we stand behind them with our Sunsational Instructor Guarantee!

If your first lesson is anything less than sunsational, just let us know and we can either refund your unused lesson time or re-start your lesson package with a more suitable Instructor, your choice!

Private swim lessons vs. Group swim lessons

Learn about why parents choose Sunsational for their Private Swimming Lessons

Private Swim Lessons

vs

Group Swim Lessons


Quick Results with 30+ minutes of individualised instruction

vs

Slow Progress with limited 1-on-1 attention

Flexible scheduling, book multiple kids back-to-back

vs

Flexible scheduling, may vary for each child

Save time lessons at your home or community pool

vs

Time-Consuming - travel required to and from lessons

Faster Progression saves money in the long run

vs

More Sessions Needed Needed to see real progress

Why choose Sunsational Swim School for your toddler’s swim lessons?

Water safety starts early

We prioritize safety in every lesson. Our toddler swim programs teach essential water safety skills, ensuring your child learns to swim in a fun yet secure environment.

A fun and progressive learning approach

At Sunsational Swim School our lessons follow a progressive method that makes learning fun; not stressful or fear-inducing. With private lessons our instructors go at your child's pace, progressing them only when they're ready.

Learn to swim guaranteed

We're so confident in our methods that we offer a Learn to Swim Guarantee in all of our private toddler swim classes. If your child can't swim back to the pool wall after 12 lessons, you'll get up to four more lessons for free.

Swim lessons that fit around your schedule

San Francisco City parents are busy, and often struggle to fit their toddler's swim lessons into their schedule. That's why our instructors come to you, holding lessons at a time, and pool, that's convenient for you.

Expert instructors you can trust

Our San Francisco City swim instructors are highly experienced and have a minimum of two years teaching, CPR and First Aid Certified, and many are also Red Cross lifeguard or Water Safety Instructor certified.

Lessons are fun and age-appropriate

We make learning to swim fun and engaging with games, activities and age-appropriate techniques. Young children also earn Sunsational skill charts and certificates to celebrate their progress!

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Toddler lessons

The more lessons you buy, the more you save!

1 Student

30 - 45 Minute private Lessons

18 lessons

$

90

/ 30 minutes

-10%
$

130

/ HOUR

-10%

BEST VALUE

12 lessons

$

95

/ 30 minutes

-5%
$

135

/ HOUR

-7%

MOST POPULAR

6 lessons

$

100

/ 30 minutes

$

145

/ HOUR

*60+ minute lessons can be divided into back-to-back lessons for multiple children

Search Nearby Instructors

*If you'd like to work with a specific instructor, we'll do our best match you with your request. However, instructor availability is not guaranteed. If the instructor is unavailable, we'll pair you with a swim instructor who's equally qualified!

Instructor Kim H. profile Card Image

Kim H.

San Francisco, CA 94114

Certification N/A

Kim has been teaching swimming for many years. She taught for 5 years at the YMCA. She spent 12 years as a competitive swimmer. She loves to teach beginners ages 4 and up. She also has experience with special needs students and helping more advanced students improve their efficiency in the water and ongoing enjoyment of swimming.

Instructor Anjelica V. profile Card Image

Anjelica V.

San Francisco, California 94109

Certification N/A

Hello! My name is Anjelica, and I absolutely love teaching swim lessons. Over the past 10 years, I have taught students of all ages, from 6 months up to adults. I especially love teaching special needs swim lessons and designing lesson plans that accommodate and challenge students of all abilities. My personal swim experience includes swimming for the UPenn club swim team at Nationals, swimming with the UC Berkeley Cal Masters Swim team, and also competing in open water swimming at the Collegiate Nationals with Cal Triathlon. I currently work at SF General Hospital in clinical research full-time but realized I was missing that joy of interacting with kids and seeing them grow confidence in the water.

Instructor Bobby K. profile Card Image

Bobby K.

San Francisco, California 94115

Certification N/A

I began teaching swim lessons as a teenager at my local community center and summer camp, helping kids build confidence in the water. Later, I continued sharpening my skills by teaching swim and PT lessons in the Marine Corps. Whether youre just starting out or looking to improve your techniquelets swim!

Instructor Emma R. profile Card Image

Emma R.

San Francisco, CA 94117

Sunsational Certified Since 2017

Hey there, I'm Emma! I was an elite-level swimmer for 16+ years and competed for both the University of Notre Dame and Team USA. I held the American Record in the 200-yard breaststroke from 2014-2016 and was NCAA Champ in that event in 2014. I have been teaching swimming and water safety to those aged 1 to 18 with all skill/ability levels for about 10 years now and absolutely love the moment when a skill "clicks" for someone. I love the water and I love passing on that love to others!

Instructor Milos R. profile Card Image

Milos R.

San Francisco, California 94109-2751

Sunsational Certified Since 2024

Im a former college water polo player and lifelong waterman. One of the most rewarding experiences Ive had was teaching over 150 toddlers water safety and foundational swimming skills. I also have a 6-month-old son whom I have already been introducing to basic water skills.

Instructor Matthew Y. profile Card Image

Matthew Y.

San Francisco, California 94109

Certification N/A

I recently graduated from UCLA with a BA in Philosophy. I have been swimming since I was 5 in swim teams, club swim, and US Masters Swimming, and I have been a lifeguard since June 2019. I have been teaching children as young as 2 years old to teenagers and adults how to swim since February 2023, both privately and with the YMCA. In terms of skill level, I have taught everything from absolute beginners and parent-child classes to junior lifeguards and swim team.

Instructor Megan W. profile Card Image

Megan W.

San Francisco, CA 94103

Sunsational Certified Since 2017

I'm Megan, I've been a swim instructor for 3+ years. I specialize in teaching swimmers of all ages proper stroke technique through swim drills and strategic sets. I've been a competitive swimmer for 22+ years and still actively train on a team. I'm confident working with people who are rehabilitating or have medical limitations. I love helping students overcome fears allowing them to gain confidence in the water. I have a BFA in strategy and design and enjoy making swimming a part of my life.

Instructor Veronique B. profile Card Image

Veronique B.

San Francisco, California 94117-3433

Sunsational Certified Since 2024

Hello! I swam varsity in high school and Division I in college in the 200m butterfly with flying colors. Having worked with infants all the way to Olympians, I also have experience with adaptive swim and open water. I bring to my teaching the nectar of swim teaching pedagogy along with 4 decades of aquatic journeys in water polo, rugby, and UW hockey. You cant beat that!!! Yours swimmingly, V

Instructor Sasha S. profile Card Image

Sasha S.

San Francisco, California 94107

Sunsational Certified Since 2024

Hey there! Im Sasha- I'm a swim instructor who's passionate about helping students feel comfortable and confident in the water, so they can free their inner fish. I used to live in Shanghai and worked at a preschool, so I'm passionate about bringing new experiences to curious learners. I have experience teaching all ages, including adults. In my free time, I love triathlons and stand up paddle boarding basically anything that involves being near the water! I'm excited to teach students the skills they need to be confident swimmers and teach skills to keep this hobby for life.

Instructor Sarah T. profile Card Image

Sarah T.

San Francisco, California 94118

Certification N/A

Hello, Im Sarah! I learned to swim when I was seven and joined a swim team when I was 13. Ive taught swim lessons since May 2018, instructing students ranging from 3 months of age to adult students. I coached a swim team to swim fast while maintaining great technique for three years. Additionally, I have three years of experience as a lifeguard. Im so excited to work hard while having lots of fun!

Instructor Lian J. profile Card Image

Lian J.

San Francisco, California 94117

Certification N/A

Hi there! My name is Lian, and I am a Division 1 swimmer and rising junior at American University. I am a passionate athlete who loves helping others in the pool, whether it be fine-tuning their skills or simply becoming more comfortable in the water. My swimming experience of over 15 years has taught me all about the water and the sport, with expertise ranging from water safety to the smallest techniques that can drastically improve stroke and breath efficiency. I have been teaching kids and babies of all ages, including those with special needs and disabilities, since February 2022. If youre interested in starting or improving your journey as a swimmer, then I hope to see you in the pool!

Instructor Rachel M. profile Card Image

Rachel M.

San Francisco, CA 94115

Sunsational Certified Since 2024

Hi! My name is Rachel and I have been a swim coach for over 5 years teaching ages 4-adults. Let's swim!

Instructor Gemma M. profile Card Image

Gemma M.

San Francisco, CA 94118

Sunsational Certified Since 2021

Hi! My name is Gemma, and I have four years of experience teaching private lessons, as well as three years of experience as a swim coach, lifeguard experience, and a competitive swim background. I have worked multiple jobs in my life, but teaching swim lessons will always have a special place in my heart -- it's incredibly rewarding to see my students become more comfortable in the water and improve their skills!

Instructor Oliver M. profile Card Image

Oliver M.

San Francisco, California 94122

Certification N/A

Hi, nice to meet you! My name is Oliver, and I have been doing both lifeguarding and swim instructing since February 2021. I have experience working with clients from the ages of 8 months to 45 years, as well as experience working with both kids and adults with special needs. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or specific requests!

Instructor Kara R. profile Card Image

Kara R.

San Francisco, CA 94122

Sunsational Certified Since 2018

Hello, my name is Kara and I've been teaching swim lessons for children of all ages. I was a competitive and recreational swimmer for 11 years, and I've also worked with children for about 6 years as a babysitter. I am currently in a collegiate nursing program and I will have my Bachelors of Science in Nursing by 2020. I love teaching swimming because it a vital skill for anyone to have, and commonly turns into a passion! I look forward to meeting you!

Instructor Amber L. profile Card Image

Amber L.

San Francisco, CA 94112

Sunsational Certified Since 2017

Hi there! I'm Amber and I LOVE teaching swim lessons. I've worked for two summers as a swim instructor and lifeguard for my city and I've also assisted swim classes for my college. I have taught private lessons for many years and it is such an encouragement to see my swimmers grow. Ages I have worked with include 6 mo's. to 25 years old. I have two major goals I aim to accomplish: for you and your swimmer(s) to be confident in and around the pool and to improve.Have a great swim!Amber

Instructor Briggitte K. profile Card Image

Briggitte K.

San Francisco, California 94121

Certification N/A

Ive been swimming since before I could walk and teaching since January 2010. As a Red Crosscertified lifeguard and instructor, I work with all ages, abilities, and special needswhether its building water confidence, teaching safety, or fine-tuning competitive strokes. No matter where life takes me, I always find my way back to the water.

Instructor Dion O. profile Card Image

Dion O.

San Francisco, CA 94116

Sunsational Certified Since 2018

Hi, my name is Dion and I've been teaching swim lessons for over 10 years. I've also worked with children for over 10 years as a tutor, swim coach, and after school camp counselor. I went to Arizona State University and earned a Bachelors degree in World History. I love teaching swimming because I like to improve my students progress and their individual development and skill level. I generally teach kids over 6 years old to adults.

Instructor Kim H. profile Card Image

Kim H.

San Francisco, CA 94122

Sunsational Certified Since 2018

Kim has been teaching swimming for many years. She taught for 5 years at the YMCA. She spent 12 years as a competitive swimmer. She loves to teach beginners ages 4 and up. She also has experience with special needs students and helping more advanced students improve their efficiency in the water and ongoing enjoyment of swimming.

Instructor Christa G. profile Card Image

Christa G.

San Francisco, California 94132

Certification N/A

Hello! I am a freshman at UC Berkeley with 2 years of professional swim instructor experience at the YMCA of San Francisco. I have a background in competitive swimming and 1.5 years of lifeguarding experience, meaning I prioritize water safety above all else when teaching lessons. Im eager to fill my time between college classes by teaching you how to swim. My goal is that through lessons with me, you will come to appreciate water safety while also having fun! What makes me a great teacher is my cheerfulness in the water, my flexibility with varying levels of skill, and my patience. I look forward to teaching you!

Instructor Nicole L. profile Card Image

Nicole L.

San Francisco, California 94121

Certification N/A

Hi, Im Nicole Levin! I have experience working as a swim coach and have over 7 years of experience as a swimmer. I work with all ages and skill levels, and Im passionate about helping others improve their technique, build confidence in the water, and reach their goals. Looking forward to working together!

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Got questions?

We have answers. When should toddlers start swim lessons?

No. Sunsational Swim School’s infant swim lessons are based on a child-centered and caring approach that focuses on building trust and rapport with the instructor and wonderment and respect of the water. When designing your baby’s swim lesson plan, our instructors consider all aspects of the well-being of your baby, including physical and emotional. Your swim instructor will create a safe environment for your baby to learn water-safety skills that include back floating, roll over breathing, “swim-float-swim”, the monkey crawl, and what to do after a fall into the pool. All of these skills are taught in a way that’s both fun and educational, using games, repetition, and even songs, at a pace that’s healthy for your little one.

We make scheduling easy. Morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend lessons are avaialble 6AM-8PM to fit your family’s lifestyle. You choose the days, times and number of lessons per week that works for you. Because all lessons are private, scheduling is completely flexible and can be adjusted for vacations or weather. In San Francisco City, our instructors teach year-round, so you can start lessons whenever you’re ready.

Every child is unique and develops at their own pace. Physical and emotional readiness, motor skills and willingness all play a role in the pace your baby learns. However, the most common and most influential factors in the student’s learning pace we find is repetition and consistency. We recommend our baby students take 3 lessons per week for maximum skill retention and fast progression. Most of our students make significant progress within 12 to 18 lessons in our baby swim classes.

Yes—Sunsational’s instructors in San Francisco City are CPR-certified and are insured under our company liability insurance policy. Every Sunsational certified swim instructor has a minimum prior 2 seasons of teaching experience. Lessons are always one-on-one or small group for close supervision. Our instructors teach toddlers to float, roll to their back, and safely reach the pool edge—what we call the Sunsational Safety Sequence. These skills are proven to reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% for children ages 1 to 4 years old[1] and are included in our Learn to Swim Guarantee for children ages 3 and up!

Your child’s first swim lesson focuses on safety, comfort, and trust. Our instructor will introduce floating, kicking, blowing bubbles, and gentle submersion using songs and games. Our private swim instructors in San Francisco City come to you and lessons are taught in your own pool to create a safe, familiar environment. Teers are not unexpected, but what is even more expected is that your child will become more familiar and more confident in the water!

Every child learns at their own pace, but most toddlers in San Francisco City start floating, kicking, and swimming short distances within a few weeks of consistent lessons. Sunsational’s personalized approach—taught in your own pool—helps toddlers learn faster than in group swim schools. With Sunsational's Learn to Swim Guarantee, toddlers ages 3 and up are guaranteed to learn to swim within 12 lessons, or we’ll provide up to four additional lessons free until they do.

Most parents in San Francisco City start toddler swim lessons between 18 months and 3 years old. At this age, children are curious, active, and ready to begin learning basic swimming and safety skills. Sunsational’s certified instructors in {{metroAarea}} customize lessons to your toddler’s confidence and comfort level. We offer a learn to swim guarantee for toddlers ages 3 and up!

Swim lessons help toddlers build coordination, strength, and confidence—but the biggest benefit is safety. In San Francisco City, where many families enjoy indoor pools, community centers, bayfront or indoor training, Aquatic Park visits, early swim instruction reduces drowning risk by up to 88% for children ages 1-4 years old and teaches respect for the water while keeping learning playful.

Yes! Sunsational offers both private 1-on-1 swim lessons and small sibling or friend groups in San Francisco City and nearby neighborhoods in San Francisco. Private lessons let your child learn at their own pace with minimal distractions.

We understand if you're concerned about selecting the right swim instructor for your lessons, because we are too! Our full-time, dedicated matching team carefully reviews your registration and hand selects a swim instructor for your lessons based on your swimmer's age, goals and your schedule. You'll receive a detailed instructor profile with experience, certifications, and reviews. If you'd like to request a specific instructor in San Francisco City, we'll do our best to accommodate. But rest assured that we stand behind each of our swim instructors and selections with our Satisfaction Guarantee.

For baby and some toddler lessons, parent participation is encouraged for building water comfort. For older children (typically ages 2+), parents are not specifically encouraged to be in the water, as our one-on-one private instruction is designed to build independence. However, we always require a responsible adult to be present on the premises for all lessons with minors. If you have specific preferences or concerns, our team is happy to accommodate them in your registration. We tailor each lesson to your comfort and goals.

Our swim instructors travel to your home or community pool. Learn to Swim Guaranteed
with a Sunsational instructor!


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