3 tips for communicating with parents about swim lessons
Parents who sign their children up for swim lessons will naturally have concerns. After all, their children are being entrusted to lifeguards and pool management, so they may have some questions for you to answer.
Dealing with parents isn’t difficult, but it requires time and consideration. Swimming instructors and pool managers have plenty of responsibilities and may not have the chance to speak to them. In these cases, staff members may have to figure out a setup that allows parents to learn about how the program works while also giving them opportunities to speak to employees about any further concerns that they may have.
Find the time
As busy as everyone’s daily schedule is, there are bound to be time slots where someone can be available to speak with parents. This responsibility doesn’t have to fall upon a single person. A cycling schedule can allow multiple staff members to tend to the task. This is a good opportunity to teach staff members who don’t usually deal with visitors to practice their guest satisfaction skills.
Here are three tips to consider when implementing this plan.
1. Go beyond pamphlets: If you don’t have them already, think about creating brochures that highlight the lesson plan. This can answer frequently asked questions, and save time for pool staff members. Brochures are also a good marketing tool for families who are thinking about sending their kids to swimming lessons but want to learn more about the course and how it’s taught.
2. Start off on the right foot: Parents will probably have the most questions in the beginning and into the first few classes. This is why it is important to have your children’s names memorized quickly. Parents may want to know how their children are doing, how their progress is being measured and when they’ll move on to the next level. Having a staff member present after the first few sessions can provide parents with peace of mind. Instructors should be available as well to inform parents of the day’s work.
3. Have a primary contact: There will be times when parents don’t have immediate access to a staff member who can answer their questions. In these cases, having a primary contact person who they can ask to speak with will ensure that they can rest easy knowing that their questions will be answered as soon as possible. This contact will most likely be the manager in charge of swimming lessons. Make sure everyone knows who the primary contact person is for efficiency.
