About us
We’re a modern, education-focused swim school from Frankfurt. Founded in 2023 — by parents, for kids.
We help children learn to swim with joy — with great coaches and continuity in the course.
It all started with our own children
Around 20% of children aged six to ten couldn’t swim in 2022.¹ That’s not just a number in a statistic — it was our everyday reality, and it hasn’t changed much to this day.
We were on waiting lists ourselves. We saw courses that ended after five sessions before anything really stuck. We saw groups where one coach looked after twelve children alone. And we realised: the problem isn’t the kids.
So we started doing it ourselves. Two pairs of friends — six kids between us — and a swim instructor who knew what good teaching looks like. In May 2023, that became SWIM for Kids GmbH; in June 2023, we also founded the SWIM for Kids Förderverein, registered as an association (e.V.) since March 2024. Both are based in Frankfurt am Main.
What began as a family-and-friends project has grown into a swim school with multiple locations across the Rhine-Main region. More than 1,500 children have learned to swim with us since then. The motivation is still the same: we’re building the swim school we would have wanted for our own kids.
Not enough course places
Overcrowded groups, long waiting lists, courses that are too short.
Not enough pools
Limited pool time and pool closures across the entire Rhine-Main region.
Not enough great coaches
Teaching swimming is a profession — not just a matter of being able to swim.
Not enough time
Parents who can no longer teach their children to swim themselves.
That’s why we exist
We can’t fix the pool landscape. But we can make sure every child in our course leaves the water safely — and is happy to come back.
Every child who learns to swim is one less child in that statistic. That’s our benchmark.
Over 1,500 children
… have already learned to swim with us.
Safety and fun aren’t opposites
A child who’s afraid of the water won’t learn to swim. They’ll only learn how to get through the lesson.
That’s why we structure every session so both come together: kids should be excited to come to the pool — and they should leave it safer than when they arrived. One is the prerequisite for the other.
In practical terms, that means: small groups where every child is seen. Coaches who start prepared, not improvising. Games that always have a learning goal. And pool rules we don’t just read out once at the beginning, but build up across the whole course, session by session, until they stick.
Small groups
Up to the Seahorse badge, a maximum of 5 children per coach — so every child gets plenty of turns.
Longer courses
Our courses usually include 10 sessions. Learning to swim takes repetition.
Continuity
Consistent coaches in the course instead of changing faces.
Educational approach
We work with well-thought-out lesson plans — for every course level.
Safety mindset
Pool rules and self-rescue are a fixed part of every session.
German and English
Our courses and communication with parents can be bilingual.
Numbers & facts
2023
Founded by parents and swim instructors
from Frankfurt
30+ coaches
with lifeguard certification, first aid, and a police clearance certificate
1:5
Coach-to-student ratio up to the Seahorse badge
DE / EN
Courses and parent communication available in both languages
We work with proven concepts
Two documents form the foundation of our work: our swimming concept and our safety concept. Both are fully developed, documented, and reviewed regularly.
The swimming concept
Our swimming concept describes what happens in each session for every course level — from warm-up to technique practice to the game at the end. Every unit has a learning goal, and every session introduces a new pool rule. This way, the courses build on each other cleanly, and every child joins at exactly the level they’re at.
Baby swimming
6–24 months (with parents)
Body awareness in the water, first joy in the water
Toddler swimming
2 to 3 years (with parents)
Fear-free in the water, first water confidence skills
Water familiarisation
from age 3 (without parents)
Independent in the water, first self-rescue routines
Seahorse badge
from age 4/5
Learn to swim, know all pool rules
Follow-on courses
after the Seahorse badge
Intermediate level: consolidate what’s learned, strengthen technique and safety
Bronze
Advanced
Stamina, diving, extended pool rules
Silver & Gold
Advanced
Technique, stamina, first aid, and rescue skills
Focus & specialist courses
depending on the course
Front crawl, mermaid, holiday intensive
The safety concept
Our safety concept applies to all locations, courses, and holiday programs. It defines responsibilities, the safe running of every session, and what to do in an emergency — plus a dedicated section for each pool covering supervision zones, escape routes, and assembly points.
Safety comes before program, schedule, and convenience. One course lead supervises up to five children; from six children, an assistant is added — so with ten children, there are two coaches in the water. In advanced courses after the Seahorse badge, the ratio can be up to 1:10. And we follow “changing room to changing room”: from pick-up at the changing rooms until back to the changing area, every child is supervised continuously.
The basis is the guidelines of the German Society for Bathing (DGfdB R 94.05, R 94.14, R 94.16) and the DGUV requirements.
Checks before every session
Pool, rescue equipment, and first-aid supplies are checked before the course starts.
Two coaches per course (from 6 children)
Course lead and assistant — uninterrupted supervision in the water.
Clear responsibility
A responsible lead person is appointed for each pool and reported to the operator.
Safe handover
Headcount check at entry and exit. Each child is taken over individually and handed over only by the responsible teaching staff.
Reviewed and updated
Together, we can teach more children to swim
We can’t teach more children than we have water space for. That’s why we actively seek partnerships — with pools, educational institutions, and other providers.
We already work with pools, clubs, and educational institutions today:
Pools, municipal utilities, hotels & municipalities
Do you have pool time that isn’t being used? We bring a complete safety and swimming concept, work with our own qualified staff, and coordinate closely with your operations team. We’re looking for pools with 50–200 cm water depth and ideally a water temperature above 28°C — by the hour, half-day or full-day, on any day of the week. Our focus is Frankfurt and a radius of around 20 km. If the conditions are right, we also set up new locations beyond that. So get in touch even if your pool is further away.
Schools & kindergartens
School swimming rarely fails because of willingness — it fails because of staff, pool access, and organisation. We take over the lessons with qualified coaches, our own concept, and documented safety organisation — as a fixed offer during the school or daycare year, or as a compact block. Even if you don’t have your own pool.
Swim schools, clubs & organisations
You’d like to offer swimming lessons — as part of holiday programs, club offerings, or camps — but don’t have your own concept or staff for it? We support you to the extent you need: from individual coaches to running entire course blocks to full delivery including booking.
We work collaboratively with municipalities, sports facilities, and partners to make learning to swim more accessible for children. Get in touch — we’ll be happy to present our concept to you in person.
Great coaches make the difference
A swim course is only ever as good as the person at the poolside. That’s why our standards for coaches are where we compromise the least.
Behind SWIM for Kids are more than 30 coaches — swim instructors, lifeguards, educators, and students — united by one belief: every child can learn to swim safely.
Anyone who teaches with us can do more than swim well themselves. They can teach children — patiently, with structure, and with a feel for when a child needs a break and when they need a little push. At least two years of experience working with children in this age group is a hiring requirement for us. After that, everyone is thoroughly onboarded and trained regularly: professionally, pedagogically, and in emergency management.
Proven experience working with children
At least two years of experience with children in this age group.
Bilingual: German / English
All our coaches speak German and English. Some speak additional languages, too.
Verified rescue competency
Proof according to DGfdB R 94.05 or the German Lifeguard Badge Silver, no older than two years.
Clear responsibilities
Every course has a course lead, backed by the location lead and management. That way it’s always clear who decides — even in an emergency.
Up-to-date first-aid training
Including CPR, also no older than two years.
Enhanced police clearance certificate
For everyone with direct contact with children — without exception.
Consistent course concept
All coaches teach according to the same SWIM for Kids concept with clear learning levels — from baby swimming to Gold.
Briefing before the first assignment
Every coach is briefed on procedures, rescue routes, and emergency measures for the respective pool. Documented and repeated at least annually.
Regular refresher training
Training and combined rescue drills every two years. If certifications expire, teaching stops.
We check that all certifications are up to date at least twice a year. It sounds bureaucratic — but it’s the reason parents can leave their child with us with a clear conscience.
We’re always looking for coaches for our locations. If you enjoy working with children and want to teach them something for life: take a look at our open positions. Please note: our courses are taught in German, so fluent German is required.
What's it like to work with us? Don't ask us – ask our team.
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