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Swim Instructor Vetting Checklist

Use before booking any private or independent swim instructor for your child

WaterWiseKids.com — Free water safety education for families

Complete all sections before your first lesson. Keep this on file. A qualified instructor will answer every item without hesitation.

Instructor name:  
Date vetted:  
Phone / contact:  
Child's age group:  

🔍 Background Check Verification

  • Criminal background check completed within last 2 years — ask for the screening provider name and date. Do not accept a verbal assurance only.
  • Sex offender registry search included — confirm the check included a National Sex Offender Registry search. You can independently verify at NSOPW.gov (free, public).
  • Documentation produced on request — instructor can show written or digital proof of background check results. Record: Provider _______   Date _______

🏅 Instructor Certifications

  • Holds a recognized swim instructor certification — ARC Water Safety Instructor, YMCA Swim Instructor, USA Swimming, or ASCA. Record: Cert _______   Expires _______
  • Certificate is current (not expired) — confirm the expiration date on the actual card or document, not a verbal claim.
  • For children under 3: holds infant/toddler specialization — ISR, Aquatic Rotation Method (ARM), or equivalent infant aquatics training beyond a general instructor certificate.
  • Instructor can explain their teaching approach clearly — they can describe how they structure lessons by skill level, how they handle fearful children, and what progression looks like.

❤️ CPR & First Aid

  • Current CPR certification from ARC or AHA — must be within the renewal window. Record: Expires _______
  • Certification includes pediatric CPR with hands-on component — online-only CPR certification is not equivalent. Confirm in-person skills were required.
  • Current First Aid certification — covers wound care, shock, and emergency response. Should accompany CPR certification.
  • Instructor can describe their emergency protocol — ask: "What do you do if a student shows distress in the water?" The answer should be specific and immediate, not hesitant.

🛡️ Liability Insurance

  • Carries general liability insurance (minimum $1M per occurrence) — ask for a certificate of insurance (COI). Confirm coverage type and amount.
  • Policy is current (not expired) — check the expiration date on the COI. Record: Insurer _______   Expires _______
  • Coverage includes on-site aquatic instruction — some general liability policies exclude certain professional activities. Confirm lessons are covered.

💬 References

  • At least 3 client references provided with contact info — ideally for children in the same age range as yours. Record names and phone/email.
  • References actually contacted (not just collected) — ask: Did the instructor ever make you uncomfortable? Did your child's skills improve? Would you rebook?
  • Online review pattern checked — Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Look for consistent patterns, not just outliers. Recent reviews weighted more heavily.

❓ Key Questions to Ask Before Booking

  • "What is your cancellation and makeup lesson policy?" — confirm in writing before payment. Ambiguous policies become disputes.
  • "How do you handle a child who is afraid of the water?" — listen for a patient, child-led approach. Avoid anyone who says "I just get them in."
  • "Can I observe all lessons?" — the correct answer is yes, especially for children under 6. Any resistance to parental observation is a red flag.
  • "How many years have you been teaching, and what ages do you specialize in?" — experience with toddlers requires different skills than school-age instruction.
  • "Can we do a single trial lesson before committing to a package?" — a confident instructor will agree. Pressure to commit upfront is a yellow flag.

🏊 Trial Lesson — What to Observe

  • Instructor greets child at eye level and uses child's name — acknowledgment and comfort-building before instruction begins is a baseline sign of child-centered teaching.
  • Full attention on child throughout the lesson — no phone use, no extended side conversations, no prolonged inattention during a one-on-one session.
  • Responds to any hesitation with patience, not pressure — a fearful or reluctant child should be met with slow-down, adjustment, and encouragement — not pushing through.
  • No forced submersion or physical force without verbal consent — any water entry or underwater technique is discussed with the child and parent first.
  • Instructor can explain what was taught and the next progression — ask after the lesson. "What skills did we work on today, and what comes next?" A clear answer signals a real curriculum.
  • Child exits the water without signs of undue distress — a challenging lesson is fine; a child who is genuinely frightened and not comforted is not.

Red Flags — Walk Away If You See These

  • Refuses to provide background check documentation — non-negotiable. This alone is sufficient reason to look elsewhere.
  • Expired CPR, First Aid, or instructor certification — lapsed credentials signal indifference to professional standards.
  • No liability insurance or refusal to provide proof — a financial and transparency concern.
  • Resists parental observation of young children — especially concerning for children under 6.
  • Uses fear, force, or forced submersion as teaching technique — not a standard or acceptable instructional method.
  • Irritated or defensive when asked any question on this checklist — qualified professionals expect and welcome these questions.

Created by WaterWiseKids.com — Free water safety education for families

Sources: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, American Red Cross, USA Swimming, NSOPW.gov

Read the full parent guide at WaterWiseKids.com →

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