How Much Are ISR Lessons Cost? A Guide for Parents

All parents want to be sure their child is safe in and around water. Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) lessons are an awesome way to train babies and young children in the skill of water survival. These are kindergarten lessons for teaching kids how to survive in water emergencies, like falling in a pool. Although such lessons can be lifesaving, many parents want to know: How much are ISR lessons cost?

In this guide, we explain the costs of ISR lessons, what is covered in the price, and various factors that can affect how much you will pay. Once you see the show price, you can make an informed decision about whether or not ISR lessons are in the best interest of your family.

What Are ISR Lessons? 

But before we look at the cost, it is important to understand what ISR lesson consists of. ISR, or Infant Swimming Resource, is a one-on-one swimming program for infants and young children, generally 6 months to 6 years of age.

ISR teaches children to float to save their lives if they accidentally end up in a pool or other body of water. Each class hones in on a variety of self-rescue skills, including floating on their backs, rolling over and swimming to safety. Lessons are tailored to individual child development levels by advancing skills when your child is ready.

Just be aware that ISR is not your typical swim lesson – it is very specialized, and that helps determine the price.

Typical Cost of ISR Lessons

The price of ISR lessons may vary based on factors such as location, the instructor and the length of the lesson. But here is a rough breakdown of what you could expect to spend:

Registration Fees

For ISR lessons, an initial registration fee is required to get into lessons and goes toward the medical and developmental screenings that are required for your child.

• First-Time Students: There is a $105 registration fee. This includes the necessary medical and developmental screenings to ensure the child is prepared for lessons.
• Return Students: If your child has learned ISR before, you will only pay an annual registration of $40.

This fee is non-refundable and will make sure the child and instructor will be ready for the program.

Weekly Lesson Fees

ISR classes are rigorous and are usually taught five days a week. Each session is brief but impactful, with lessons that last about 10 minutes. This way, children don’t get scared and can focus on learning the necessary skills to survive.

• What It Costs: ISR lessons will run somewhere between $100 and $150 a week, depending on location and instructor.
• Class Composition: Ideal attendance 5 days a week for 6 weeks. This brings the overall price of the full course to around $600 to $900 for the six weeks.

That price includes personalized, one-on-one lessons, a key component of ISR’s success in training young children. This is one of the main reasons ISR is different to other swim lessons, which are commonly taught in groups.

Session Durations 

While the weekly expense might offer a glimpse, what you really want to know is how long ISR training is typically taken. The duration of the course is usually 6-8 weeks, but it can vary and will depend on the age, ability, and progress of the child. On average:

• A full course of lessons may cost between $480 and $1,200.

Payment Methods

When paying for ISR lessons, you’ll have several options to choose from, depending on the instructor’s preferences.

• Accepted Forms of Payment: Payments are generally accepted through credit/debit cards, Venmo, PayPal, or cash.
• Payment Schedule: Payment is usually made on a weekly basis. Some instructors may also require a non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot for your child in their class.

Additional Costs and Discounts

Refresher Lessons

For some, once the child has finished the first block, parents choose to put a child in refresher classes to keep their water safety skills strong.

• Typical Rate: Refresher courses typically run $100 to $200 per week.
• Duration: The refresher courses are usually of 2 weeks duration to consolidate and maintain what the students have learned.

Discounts

Some ISR teachers provide discounts for families with more than one child or for those who have certain occupations.

• Sibling Savings: 10% discount on the lesson price for all extra brothers or sisters taking lessons.
• First Responder Discounts: First responders (firefighters, police officers, etc.) can take 10% off tuition.

Note: Discounts are usually deducted from the tuition, with no registration, but can make a significant difference in the price for multiple-child families.

Scholarships

Some scholarships are available for families in need of financial assistance for ISR lessons. These tend to be based on income, and you will need to provide documentation, such as tax returns and pay stubs.

Scholarships are not always available, though, so it’s key to check with local instructors if this applies.

What Factors Influence ISR Pricing? 

Knowing why ISR lessons cost what they do may help parents envision what a worthy expenditure the lessons are. Here are some of the key factors that can affect pricing:

• Lessons at Location: ISR lessons in busy towns or areas of high demand may cost more.
• Private vs. Group Lessons: When you compare the cost of private lessons, as taught by ISR, to the cost of group swim lessons, you will find that private lessons are far more expensive.
• Instructor Expertise: Very experienced instructors with specific ISR training have been known to charge more.
• Facility Fees: A few ISR instructors work in rented facilities, which could increase the overall cost.
• Program Length: Certain children may need to attend more lessons to master ISR skills, especially for infants who begin training at an earlier age. Nor does the cost of resuming the red horse and the treasure, in terms of money and time.

Comparing ISR Lessons to Traditional Swim Lessons

One of the main questions parents have when looking into ISR lessons is how they compare to more traditional swim lessons. Here’s a breakdown:

ISR Lessons:

• Focus: Water survival skills
• Lesson Duration: 10 minutes per session
• Lesson Frequency: 5 days a week
• Cost: $100–$150 per week
• Instructor: One-on-one instruction

Traditional Swim Lessons:

• Focus: General swimming techniques
• Lesson Duration: 30-45 minutes per session
• Lesson Frequency: 1-2 times a week
• Cost: $10–$30 per session
• Instructor: Group settings

While traditional swim lessons are generally more affordable, ISR lessons focus specifically on lifesaving skills, which makes them a valuable investment in water safety.

Tips for Making ISR Lessons Fit Your Budget 

If ISR classes financially sound like too much to handle, there may be ways to alleviate the burden on your wallet:

• Inquire About Payment Plans– Payment for ISR varies from instructor to instructor, and many ISR instructors will work with parents to make the cost attainable by paying over the course of a few weeks.
• Look for Scholarships or Discounts: Some ISR programs or local agencies may have scholarships or financial assistance available to families who are unable to afford lessons.
• Select Places Nearby: If you select a venue a venue close to home, travel expenses are reduced, as do extra pool fees.
• Safety Comes First: When you think of how much they cost in the first place, it becomes clear that however expensive baby gates are, they are an investment in your child’s safety.

Conclusion

ISR lessons come at a premium, costing around $600 to $900 for the full 6-week course, but they are a solid investment for your child’s water safety. Though they may appear expensive compared to regular swim lessons, such classes offer lifesaving skills that can reduce the risk of drowning. Emphasizing personalized instruction and survival training, ISR lessons are really worth more than the initial investment.

Check with local instructors before signing on to get an exact price quote based on where you’re located and your child’s needs. Take into account the way that water safety and peace of mind are worth long-term.

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