Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN CAN I SIGN UP FOR LESSONS?
Anytime! Our DMSS program runs throughout the year. Please fill in our online form under the "REGISTER NOW" tab on the Home Page to start the process of joining the DMSS family.
WHAT AGE SHOULD MY CHILD START SWIMMING?
Our swim lessons are available for children 3 years and up. No matter what age your child is, it is NEVER too late to start swim lessons - this applies to adults too! Our lessons are designed to teach students of all ages and abilities.
WHAT ARE YOUR OFFICE HOURS?
Weekdays 08h30 - 17h00. But you can book a class, register for a gala any time using our Portal or Mobile App.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD CRIES?
It is common for most children to cry. This is a normal reaction. Our Coaches are highly trained in these situations and our Site Supervisors have years of experience. Pulling a child out of swim lessons due to crying is never a recommended course of action. Usually the crying phase is much harder on the parent than it is on the child. If your child is crying, it is best to get out of the line of sight from your child so they are able to better focus on the Coach.
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HOW MUCH DOES A LESSON COST?
Fees are listed on the ''SCHEDULES'' tab found on the Bookings Page of our website and on each class listing in our Portal & Mobile App.
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ARE YOUR POOLS HEATED?
Yes! Our pools at DMSS Home Pool and Virgin Active are indoors and heated to international temperature standards. 27 deg for training pools & 30 deg for leaner pools - all year round.
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY CHILD ATTEND SWIMMING LESSONS?
We recommend that most students attend two lessons per week in our learn to swim and stroke development phase. Skill development requires regular practice. We further recommend aiming for consistency rather than perfection in this regard. For example aiming to swim two classes per week throughout the year is better than trying to swim every day only in summer, and then stopping during winter.
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DO WE GET A DISCOUNT IF WE HAVE MORE THAN ONE CHILD?
We do offer sibling discounts. Enquire from our office when signing up.
WILL WE HAVE THE SAME SWIMMING TEACHER EVERY WEEK?
For consistency, each station is generally assigned one particular coach. However, All DMSS Coaches are trained the same, with the same qualification, follow the same curriculum and speak the same ''stroke language'' - so even if your normal Coach is missing that week, your child is able to carry on where he/she left off the week before. When they are promoted to a higher station, with a different Coach, very little adjustment is needed, and they simply continue where they left off. A well trained Supervisor is always on hand to ensure that all coaches are working off the same programme and transitions are always smooth.
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DO YOU USE FLOTATION DEVICES IN YOUR LESSONS?
No. At DMSS, we provide a learning environment without the use of flotation devices to ensure your child develops mobility and buoyancy independently.
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WILL I GET INTO THE POOL WITH MY CHILD?
No, this is not permitted at DMSS. Instead, we encourage as much independence as possible, and recommend that parents remain in the comfortable seating area provided and enjoy the DMSS cafe while swim class is on. Standing around the pool deck is NOT permitted either as this causes distraction to your child, and impedes progress.
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DO YOU RUN ON SCHOOL TERMS?
Please refer to our ''schedules'' to find out the exact dates for the year. We do not teach on Public Holidays.
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WHY ARE LEARN TO SWIM CLASSES ONLY 30 MINUTES?
Young children learn better in shorter classes. Our lessons are very carefully put together to make use of all 30 minutes. Remember these are small bodies and they get tired too. Swimming during fatigue during the construction phase of a stroke reinforces bad habits that are difficult to overcome later on. Aiming for consistency over a full year is much better than swimming every day with a ''start-stop'' approach.
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WHAT ARE MY PAYMENT OPTIONS?
Lessons are payable upfront for the term at a FIXED flat rate. Payment by monthly instalment is possible. If you join in the middle of the term, you may enquire from our admin office about whether a reduced rate is possible. The termly rate does not change due to Public Holiday or if you miss classes. Penalties may be charged on late accounts, and can result in disruption or even suspension. Unpaid accounts are handed over to collection agencies.
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WHAT IS YOUR MAKE UP POLICY?
Unfortunately lessons missed are considered forfeited. We do not make up lessons missed since attempting to do so will cause a great deal of disruption to our schedule and compromise on the quality of our lessons programme.
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HOW MUCH NOTICE DO I NEED TO GIVE IF I WANT TO TERMINATE/POSTPONE LESSONS?
We require that ONE months WRITTEN notice is given in the event of terminating or postponing lessons via email to admin@dmss.co.bw.
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HOW OFTEN IS MY CHILD ASSESSED?
Assessments are conducted regularly by a fully trained SwimAmerica Site Supervisor. It is important to allow the child to fully meet the criteria of each station and be emotionally and physically ready for the next station before promotion to the next otherwise there will be gaps in the foundation that usually surface later on.
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WHY DOES DMSS RECOMMEND YEAR LONG SWIMMING?
We recommend year-round swimming lessons for children because the continuity helps them retain more knowledge for a longer period of time. With the gap created by seasonal swimming lessons, children tend to regress in their swimming skill level; this ultimately results in having to refresh those skills before they can build new skills
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HOW LONG BEFORE MY CHILD CAN SWIM?
Sometimes lessons can feel like a treadmill with no clear end in sight. And with swimming there can be a belief that a child will take some lessons, learn to swim and then be finished. We discourage this ''event-based mentality'' Instead, we encourage a more long term approach, such as the manner in which we approach school education. After pre-school, a child continues learning in a primary environment, than secondary, and university with virtually no end to learning throughout life. Swimming too is a life-long skill. Long after a child learns to float, we hope they will continue swimming for health and fitness, enjoyment and perhaps even consider taking up the skill competitively.