Five Star Swim School - Eatontown in Eatontown, NJ Closed now

Reviews about Five Star Swim School - Eatontown

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  October 16, 2019, by Zachary Evans
  Today I had to encounter the worst day of my life- ever. I took my son to his first swimming lesson- trial class at a facility that promotes they are certified / equipped to teach children with special needs how to swim. As a mother of a autistic child I do my homework before I go anywhere with my son. I checked their website and reviews. Had a 4 1/2 star rating so I was a little convince that my son would finally be able to enjoy a sport or better yet start learning how to swim. I waited a couple of weeks before I called this aquatic place when I did I was very very pleased on the phone the original person I spoke to on the phone was so helpful and clearly understood what autism as she explain the program and trial class. I did have a concern that being it was my sons first day at the class they would allow a parent to be apart of the session. The young lady reassure me that the instructors are well trained to be able to handle a session with or without a special needs student. When I got there I was greeted by the receptionist given a form to fill out which also asked the parent if my child has any disabilities which I did put my son is autistic as well when I called and set up the trial class I made them aware as well. Took my son to the pool area and sat till the young instructor called my son's name and told me he could come in the water. I was under the impression this young lady was given a heads up that my son is autistic clearly that message was not related to her. The young lady had another child in a session as well. Which I wasn't to pleased because it was my son first time with no floaters on or special approach for that matter. The instructor jogged between the two boys to give them a fair turn. Unfortunately, the lady tried to taking the same approach to teach the two boys the same way which in all fairness that is correct but not for a special needs child. That's how I knew the young lady hasn't worked with an autistic child before and most importantly she wasn't made aware either that my son is autistic and needs a different way to capture his attention especially for something that's out of his comfort zone. That already made me dislike how this facility communicates among departments especially for sensitive matter like people children. What put the cherry on top was my son nearly drowned because of poor safety implementation. The instructor was taking the other child to the other side of the pool with no concern that my son was left alone on the other side by himself and of course my son being fearless and not knowing what is to have fear. He jump of the bench inside of the water into the deep pool which he was drowning for a few seconds. The instructor rushed to get my son pull him up high and his face of shock and not knowing what just happened will leave a memory that I could never ever forget. I wanted to grab my son and rush out of that place and never come back. I took deep breaths and saw my son as he kept wanting to be in the water. So I just trusted this young lady to bring Noah back to tranquil after that horrible first experience for my son and myself. After the session was done I went to the receptionist and paid for the trial session ( which at that point I shouldn't have) but I did. As we were going over prices for the program- the young lady didn't even ask how was my son first session. Just straight to packages and prices. I asked her if the swim instructor are experienced with special needs children because I felt my son instructor for the trial clearly wasn't. All she said was " they do have instructors that are qualified but they are not available all the time". Shouldn't my son have been given the same opportunity as any other special needs child? Shouldn't the Five Star swimming school been more prepared and equipped to make swimming a wonderful experience for a child and parents as well? I wouldn't ever want any parent to pass what I had to endure today, no one. I wouldn't recommend this place at all.