The Water Otter Swim School Policies – Updated for 2026
This section contains all of the Water Otter Policies that you must be aware of. After you enroll you will have accepted these Policies and will adhere to their practices.
General Policies & Procedures
- There are no refunds for missed lessons. Please double check your schedule for planned vacations or other events that may interfere with lessons before registering
- There is no guarantee that the same scheduled lesson time will be available for you in future sessions. If you plan on continuing, please enroll in future sessions as soon as possible. Your continuation reservation is ensured only if space is available and when payment in full is received.
- Lessons will be taught on rainy/smoggy days unless Water Otters deems weather conditions unsafe (i.e. smoke due to fire or lightning due to rain). You will be notified if lessons are to be rescheduled.
- A parent or guardian is required to remain at the pool for the duration of the lesson. Under specific circumstances, other responsible caretakers (guardians, nannies, housekeepers, etc.) can come in lieu of a parent. This decision is at the owner’s discretion. Requests must be in advance.
- Since lessons begin on time, please arrive on time and have your child ready (i.e. sunscreen applied, dressed in their bathing suit, etc.) or you may forfeit part of your lesson time.
- Please be sure to respect the privacy of the residents.
- Please arrive about 5 minutes before the time of your lesson, but no more than 10 minutes. If you arrive 10 or more minutes early, please wait in your car, take a walk around the neighborhood, etc.
- As a courtesy to others, please leave promptly after the lesson has ended.
- Only students who are taking a lesson are allowed in the pool. Students are not to use the pool for “free swim.” Students are not to play in the pool or on the property before or after lessons.
- If it is necessary to bring additional children be sure to keep all noise to a minimum and keep them close to you; their safety and any damages to property are your responsibility.
- If your child vomits or defecates in the pool there will be an automatic pool cleaning charge of $300.00, as well as up to an additional $500.00 fee for rescheduling or canceling other lessons occurring that day. To help avoid these costs please do not feed your child at least one half hour prior to your lesson time. Additionally, special reusable diapers may need to be purchased for some students prior to lessons for use in the pool. Please reach out to our team for more information.
Pool Address Provided After…
The pool address is provided after enrollment and payment have been successfully processed.
Payment in full is due upon enrollment
Payment in FULL is due at the time of registration and enrollment (NOT when classes begin).
Enrollment is not complete until Payment is Processed
Enrollment is not complete until your payment for all lessons has been successfully processed.
No Refunds for Missed Lessons
There are no refunds for missed lessons (this includes if your child misses a lesson due to illness, schedule conflict, or traffic). Please double-check your schedule for planned vacations or other events that may interfere with lessons before registering. Once you have completed your enrollment, alterations to the schedule are not permitted.
Make-Up Policy Details
Make up lessons during your same day and time are not guaranteed, however you may qualify for 1 make up per student per 3-week session (for any reason, i.e. sickness, travel, conflicting schedules, etc.) provided that you contact us:
•With at least 24 hours notice – If you mark your own absence in the Parent Portal at least 24 hours before your lesson, you are guaranteed a spot on one of our pre-selected Sunday make up days. You may also look for a weekday opening on the schedule through the Parent Portal as well. You will need to schedule the Sunday lesson after your make up lesson has been approved.
•Without 24 hours notice – If you mark your own absence in the Parent Portal less than 24 hours before your lesson, and once your make up is approved, you can look for a weekday opening on the schedule and book it through the Parent Portal.
•No notice – Your lesson is forfeited and there are no make ups possible.
Additional Guidelines for Private Lessons:
•Timeframe – You are allowed to schedule your makeup either within your current 3 week session OR in the 3 week session immediately following.
•Same pool – Weekday makeups can only be scheduled at the same pool as your lessons are currently at.
•1 make up only – Only one make up is allowed per student per 3-week session.
•No same-day scheduling – You need to schedule your make up at least one day ahead of time.
•Sunday make-up lessons – Sunday lessons are always held at the Winnetka pool location.
•Same teacher is not guaranteed – Your make-up lesson may be with a different teacher than you have had during your scheduled weekday lessons. The teacher will have knowledge about your students’ swimming ability and progress.
Potential Pool Cleaning Fee (of up to $800.00)
If your child vomits or defecates in the pool there will be an automatic pool cleaning charge of $300.00, as well as up to an additional $500.00 fee for rescheduling or canceling other lessons occurring that day.
To help avoid these costs, please do not feed your child at least one half hour prior to your lesson time. Additionally, special reusable diapers may need to be purchased for some students prior to lessons for use in the pool. Please reach out to our team for more information.
We Provide Fun, Relaxed, Play-Based Lessons
I understand that lessons at Water Otters are fun, relaxed, play-based, developmentally appropriate, and taught at the child’s pace. Toys are frequently used, and our philosophy is we do not believe in pushing a student far beyond their comfort zone. Lessons often look like play, but always with progress in mind.
Safety Policy
Due to potential serious safety issues, if it becomes apparent that your child is a danger to (himself, herself, or their self), instructors, and/or anyone else’s safety, Water Otters reserves the right to discontinue swim lessons for your child and refund any unused portion of the lessons.
Additional Private Lessons in Pool Simultaneously
More than 1 private lesson may be taught in the pool at the same time (each with a dedicated teacher).