Lesson Guidelines & Policies

Safety & Certification

  • Always prioritize safety during lessons.

  • Maintain current CPR & First Aid certification.

  • Follow all pool safety protocols.

  • Any accidents, incidents, or equipment issues must be reported immediately to Manta Splash management.

Lesson Structure & Teaching Philosophy

The Manta Splash lesson plan and teaching philosophy for consistency focus on:

  • Parent Goals (Water safety, survival skills, stroke development & endurance, etc.)

  • Personality-based teaching (read students’ body language and implement the best teaching style accordingly)

  • Confidence building & positive reinforcement

  • Goggles: ****Typically not used during survival lessons to teach real-world water skills. Use your judgment if goggles prevent irritation, protect eyes, or ease a child’s fear, they may be allowed.

  • Baby & Parent Participation Lessons: ****Initially, parent participation in baby lessons is required for safety and guidance. Over time, parents should gradually step out of the water as appropriate, based on:

      - Child’s comfort and skill level
  - Parent’s goals for their child
  - Instructor judgment for optimal learning and faster progress

    • Some parents may want lessons to remain parent-participated; respect these wishes while guiding progress safely.

Parent Communication & Professional Boundaries

  • All scheduling, cancellations, reschedules, billing, and policy questions go through Manta Splash.

  • No solicitation is allowed. Instructors may not offer services, accept direct payments, or move clients off the Manta Splash platform, per the Independent Contractor Agreement.

  • Encourage parents to observe from a distance (except for baby lessons as instructed). They will be briefed on this before the lessons.

  • Always provide parents/guardians with honest, constructive feedback about the lesson, including suggestions for at-home practice (e.g., cup submersions, pool drills) or explanations of skills.

Pool & Lesson Preparation

  • Ensure the pool is safe, clean, clear, and at a comfortable temperature.

  • All babies and children who are not potty trained must wear a secure reusable swim diaper.

  • We strongly encourage families to use Splash About reusable swim diapers, which are highly effective and reliable. Splash About also offers high-quality wetsuits for unheated pools or additional protection. https://us.splashabout.com/

  • Notify Laura immediately if any pool or equipment issues arise.

  • For extreme pool temperatures (too hot/cold), use your best judgment along with the child’s body language, and call Laura directly before deciding to proceed or cancel a lesson.

Attendance, Grace Period & Make-Up Policy

  • Missed lessons without 24h notice are marked completed and you will be paid.

  • Make-ups must be scheduled within the same month. if proper cancellation in last week of month makeup rolls over 2 more weeks. Any makeups scheduled must be briefed with Laura before confirming.

  • 10-minute grace period:

    • If a student arrives more than 10 minutes late, the lesson may be canceled, but you still get paid.

    • If a student arrives 10 minutes or less late, subtract that time from the lesson (e.g., 30-minute lesson starting 10 minutes late = 20-minute lesson).

  • Weather & Emergency Guidance:

    • Miami weather can change rapidly. We recommend monitoring the forecast and canceling lessons at least 1 hour in advance if necessary.

Reporting/ Progress Tracking & Instructor Pay

Complete the Instructor Lesson Report  after every lesson.

  • The Instructor Lesson Report must be completed within 12 hours of the lesson to avoid a 10% deduction from the lesson payment.

  • Pay is based on completed lessons recorded in our tracking sheet.

  • Always double-check your Google Form submission to ensure accurate lesson tracking and correct instructor payment.

  • Contact management immediately with any discrepancies.

Payments are issued biweekly based on completed lessons submitted through the Instructor Lesson Report. Initial payments will be sent via Zelle, later transitioning to direct bank deposit once banking information is on file.

Instructor Judgment

  • We trust your professional judgment in all lessons. Examples include:

    • Allowing goggles for children afraid or experiencing irritation

    • Gradually moving parents out of the pool during baby lessons for faster progress

    • Adapting to each child’s comfort level while balancing parent expectations

  • Use discretion, but always keep safety and long-term skill development as your top priorities.

Feedback & Questions

  • Your input is valuable! Share ideas, challenges, or improvements during bi-weekly check-ins or via email.

  • If a situation arises you’re unsure how to handle, contact management immediately for guidance.

Thank you for your dedication to creating safe, fun, and effective swim lessons. Together, we ensure every Manta Splash student feels supported, safe, and excited to learn.

Instructor Lesson Report