website: http://www.baymca.org/dt/downtown-Aquatics.aspx

Re: Swimming class for 4-month-old
The Y program is great! My son started in the water when he was about that age. We met great parents/kids with whom we are still in contact, and while my son didn't continue swimming training, i.e. special strokes, etc., he is perfectly comfortable in the water, and a very competent swimmer. Berkeley Downtown is where we went. kim

Re: Swim classes for 14-y-o who hasn't learned to swim
In the past I have seen private (and semi-private: two students per teacher) lessons offered at the Berkeley Downtown YMCA. It's great that she is interested in improving her skills here! Cheryl

Re: Swim classes for 16 month old
Your daughter is the perfect age for the Parent/Child swim program at the Downtown Berkeley YMCA. You can get the full schedule at http://www.baymca.org/dt/dt_program_list.aspx?categoryId=79&parentId=1790 My semi-grandson didn't start swim lessons until he was 3 and I really wish we'd started him in that program at your daughters age. jw

Re: Infant-parent swim class
The Downtown Berkeley YMCA offers parent-child swim classes for infants. You can find more information at www.baymca.org. Click on the ''Downtown'' branch. You can reach the program director directly at 510-665-3257. Her name is Julie Martin. Eden

The YMCA has afternoon and early evening lessons for kids in their nicely heated indoor pool. We went there for almost a year, until my daughter graduated to the class that uses the bigger pool that is not as warm. She dosen't like to swim in cold water. This bigger pool is about 84 degrees, but compared to the smaller 92 degree pool it is colder. So we decided to take a break. The teachers there are all trained to work with children of all levels and ages, they always have a lesson devoted to safety, and there is always 5 minutes of free play time at the end of the lesson. I think their program is great for young children learning to swim. Leslie

A 3-year-old would be assigned to the Tadpoles class, which is a good, low-stress preparation for swimming. At that age, they don't try to learn fully developed strokes, but they learn to be comfortable and safe in the water, to put their faces in the water and breath out, and useful things like kicking.

My two older children started taking YMCA swim lessons at 6 months of age and continued for several years. My youngest just started at 4 years old, and loves it. Beverly

We have just completed the Downtown Berkeley YMCA tadpole swim program (ages 3-5). My daughter is 3-3/4 and was ready to take lessons. The program signs up 5 children per instructor, but in Callie's class there were two instructors and only 3 children.

There are eight lessons per session and there are many time slots. The classes are progressive and your child will be moved up according to ability.

The kids in Callie's class seemed to have a great time and there was no pressure for the kids to perform.

Other YMCA's may have similar programs as well.

Good luck, Denise

The YMCA in downtown Berkeley offers Saturday swim classes for children, and I think sign-ups are going on right now. Some of the Saturday time slots fill up very quickly.

Swim classes are indoors, with the younger kids in a shallow, warm pool, and the older kids in a regular, cool pool with a deep end. My kids have taken the classes on and off from the time they were 6 months old (with Mom) to now, when the oldest is 10 years old, and they still enjoy the classes thoroughly.