Frequently asked questions

You can only sign up for swimming lessons via our website. When signing up, we ask you to fill in all fields as completely as possible.

Once you have successfully submitted the registration form, you will automatically receive a confirmation email from us. Haven't received a confirmation email? Please check your spam or junk folder first. If it isn't there either, your registration was probably not submitted correctly.

Before the swimming lessons begin, you will receive an official email from us inviting you to a trial lesson (voorzwem-les). During this lesson we get to know you or your child and assess which level and which swimming group suit you or your child best.

Signing up does not commit you to anything. You only pay for the trial lesson, unless there is a promotion at that time offering the trial lesson free of charge.

After the trial lesson, you have 5 days to decide whether you would like to continue swimming lessons at Zwemschool De Piranha.

Would you like to continue? Then please confirm this within those 5 days by sending an email to info@zwemschooldepiranha.nl.

Your registration only becomes final once you have confirmed. This also means you only need to pay the registration fee after that.

All our payments are made easily via an iDEAL (Dutch online bank payment) payment link. Whenever a payment is due, you will receive a personal iDEAL payment link from us.

If there is no place available on the day and time you have chosen, we will contact you by email or phone to find a suitable alternative together.

By signing up yourself or your child, you agree to our terms and conditions and our house rules.

Taking part in a trial lesson is not free, unless we are running a promotion at that time offering the trial lesson free of charge.

Are you unable to attend the scheduled trial lesson for any reason? Then please let us know by email at info@zwemschooldepiranha.nl at least 12 hours in advance.

If you cancel too late, the amount already paid for the trial lesson will be forfeited. If you would still like to attend a trial lesson at a later date, you will need to pay the full amount again.

Our swimming lessons are available from the age of 3. During the trial lesson we look at the physical, cognitive and social-emotional development of you or your child. Based on this, we assess which level and which swimming group suit you or your child best.

If the trial lesson shows that a child is still too young to start swimming lessons in a comfortable and suitable way, we usually advise waiting about 6 months before booking a new trial lesson. During this time your child can develop further, so that the swimming lessons may be a better fit afterwards.

At Zwemschool De Piranha we don't work with fixed pools or groups such as pool 1, 2 or 3 and so on. Instead, we work with levels for each diploma of the Zwem-ABC (the Dutch national swimming diplomas A, B and C): Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Within each swimming level there are various skills that you or your child must master before moving up to the next level. As soon as a swimming level has been fully completed, you or your child move on to the next level.

Once you or your child have earned three smileys for every swimming skill within a level (Bronze, Silver or Gold), they move up to the next swimming level. Has the Gold level been fully completed? Then you or your child may take part in the practice diploma swim. If that goes well, the official diploma swim for the swimming diploma follows!

A fantastic reward! Has your child completed a swimming level, such as Zwem-A Bronze? Then he or she gets to have their photo taken at our reward board! Extra fun: tag us on social media or leave a review – that really makes our day.

At Zwemschool De Piranha we offer various types of swimming lessons, so there is a suitable form of guidance for every swimmer. These include: regular swimming lessons, special swimming lessons, private swimming lessons, swimming lessons for adults and holiday swimming lessons.

What are regular swimming lessons? Our regular swimming lessons are for children who want to learn swimming skills in the regular way and work towards the Zwem-ABC diplomas.

Regular swimming lessons are given in groups of around 7 children per swimming instructor. Thanks to these relatively small groups, there is plenty of room for personal attention and guidance, so that every child can develop at his or her own pace.

What are special swimming lessons? Our special swimming lessons are for children who need extra guidance or an adapted approach. Think, for example, of children with a developmental delay, autism, ADHD or an intellectual disability, or children with additional needs.

Special swimming lessons are offered in small groups of no more than 5 children per swimming instructor. This allows us to tailor our guidance closely to the individual needs and abilities of each child.

During the lessons we use, among other things, visual instruction cards. This visual support makes each swimming task clear and easy for the child to follow. It helps children better understand what is expected of them and gives them extra structure during the lesson.

During the trial lesson, or at a later stage of the swimming programme, we decide together with you which route suits your child best. Depending on their swimming ability and possibilities, your child can work directly towards an official swimming diploma, or first start with the learning pathway of Zwemprestatie 1, 2 and 3 (adapted swimming achievement certificates).

In this way we make sure that every child follows a swimming programme that matches his or her own abilities, development and swimming skills.

What are private swimming lessons? In private swimming lessons, you or your child receive 1-to-1 or 3-to-1 guidance from a swimming teacher. This allows us to tailor the lessons fully to the swimmer's personal needs, level and learning goals. Private swimming lessons are suitable for both children and adults.

Does Zwemschool De Piranha also offer swimming lessons for adults? Yes. Adults can also learn to swim with us, improve their swimming skills or work on feeling more confident in the water.

Swimming lessons for adults are offered in small groups of no more than 6 adults. The lessons are tailored to the level and personal goals of the participants.

Whether you can't swim at all yet or would like to develop your swimming skills further: we'll work out a suitable approach together.

What are holiday swimming lessons? During certain school holidays we offer holiday swimming lessons. These lessons are for children who want to get extra practice during a holiday, improve their swimming skills or could use an extra boost towards their next swimming level or diploma.

The programme and available times for holiday swimming lessons are announced for each holiday, provided there is enough interest.

That's not a problem. Sometimes the trial lesson shows that a different type of swimming lesson better suits your child's needs and development. For example, a special swimming lesson or a private swimming lesson instead of a regular one.

During the trial lesson we look carefully at what your child needs and which form of guidance suits him or her best. We always discuss our findings and advice with you, so that together we can decide which swimming lesson is most suitable for your child.

Suitable for the following types of swimming lessons: regular swimming lessons, special swimming lessons, private swimming lessons and swimming lessons for adults.

Zwemdiploma B (in Dutch).

Suitable for the following type of swimming lesson: special swimming lessons, if the learning pathway towards swimming diplomas A, B and C cannot be followed straight away.

Zwemprestatie 1-2-3 (in Dutch).

The Zwemprestatie certificate makes it possible to earn a swimming diploma that truly matches the child's swimming ability and possibilities.

During lessons for the Zwemprestatie certificate, children swim without extra clothing. This allows them to concentrate fully on developing and improving their swimming skills.

Has a child developed sufficient swimming skills after earning a Zwemprestatie certificate? Then, if this is considered suitable and achievable, they can move on to the regular swimming programme to eventually earn an official Zwem-ABC diploma.

The length of the swimming programme differs per type of swimming lesson and depends on the participant's personal development and swimming ability.

For an overview of the average duration per type of swimming lesson, click here.

At Zwemschool De Piranha we try to make payments as easy as possible for you. Below you will find all the information about our payment options.

Trial lesson
For the trial lesson you will receive a payment request via an iDEAL payment link. You only pay for the trial lesson, unless there is a promotion at that time offering the trial lesson free of charge.

Once you have confirmed that you would like to continue the swimming lessons, further payments are made by direct debit.

Group swimming lessons

By group lessons we mean: regular swimming lessons, special swimming lessons and swimming lessons for adults.

For group swimming lessons, throughout the swimming season (September to June) you pay a monthly fee as a fixed amount in advance. Our monthly rates are based on the 37 lesson weeks in which we are open. We are closed during school holidays and public holidays. These closing days are not included in the monthly fee. So you pay a fixed amount each month for the swimming lessons, including in weeks when there are no lessons. Would you like to know more about our rates? Click here. For more information about our holidays and public holidays, please see our swimming calendar (in Dutch).

When is the direct debit collected? You will receive our invoice around the 1st of each month. Around the 15th of the month, the amount due is automatically collected from your account.

To avoid extra administration costs, it is important that you enter your bank details correctly when you sign up.

Has your bank account number changed in the meantime? You can update your bank details yourself in our Wescore app. If that doesn't work, you can send us an email at info@zwemschooldepiranha.nl and we will be happy to help.

Private swimming lessons
For private swimming lessons we work with lesson cards. You can choose a 5-, 10- or 15-lesson card.

A lesson card is always paid in full, in advance and in one go. One lesson is then deducted from the card for each private swimming lesson attended.

Paying with the Gelrepas
We also accept the Gelrepas (the Arnhem-area discount pass for residents on a low income) as a payment option for swimming lessons. If you use the Gelrepas, the lesson fee is deducted from the available Gelrepas balance per quarter, 3 months in advance. Please make sure there is sufficient balance available at the time of deduction.

Is there insufficient balance on the Gelrepas? Then the outstanding amount will be collected by direct debit from the bank account you provided.

Would you like to use the Gelrepas? Then please give us your Gelrepas number when you sign up, so that we can process the payment in good time.

If a direct debit fails or is reversed, you will receive a payment reminder from us by email. In this reminder we ask you to pay the outstanding amount within 14 days.

If the outstanding amount has still not been paid after this period, we will have to charge € 5 in transaction costs.

If the outstanding amount has not been paid in full 28 days after the original due date, access to the swimming lessons may be temporarily suspended until the outstanding payment has been made.

Regular swimming lessons
Monday and Thursday between 16:45-19:00 and Saturday between 8:45-14:00 in Arnhem.

Private swimming lessons
Tuesday and Friday between 16:45-19:00 in Arnhem.

Swimming lessons for adults
Monday, Thursday and Friday 19:00-20:30 in Arnhem.

Special swimming lessons
Wednesday between 15:15-18:45 at the Biljoenbad in Velp.

Location: SIZA Arnhem
Hartenkoning 7
6816 TK Arnhem.

Location: Het Biljoenbad
Gruttostraat 14
6883 CM Velp.

Yes, definitely! You can use the parking spaces directly in front of or next to the building.

Is the car park full? No problem. You can also park your car in the large car park across the road.

Important: it is not permitted to park cars outside the marked parking bays or in front of the main entrance. The access road and passageway must always be kept clear, so that emergency services such as an ambulance or fire brigade have unobstructed access to the building at all times in case of an emergency.

We kindly ask you to keep this in mind.

See the map.

You can reach us by phone from Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 14:30.

You can also send us a WhatsApp message at 026-202 24 82. This is also our phone number.

For general questions you can email us at info@zwemschooldepiranha.nl.

Do you have a question about your payment, invoice or other administrative matters? Then please contact administratie@zwemschooldepiranha.nl.

We aim to reply to your message within 3 working days.

Please note: during holiday periods we may be less easy to reach by phone and email, so please allow for a longer response time.

For group swimming lessons it is not possible to attend every lesson. To ensure enough calm and safety in and around the pool, we schedule a viewing lesson roughly every 6 weeks. This way the children can concentrate fully on learning to swim during regular lessons.

With group lessons, several groups may also have a viewing lesson at the same time, so the number of parents and carers at the poolside can quickly add up. To prevent it from becoming too busy and hectic around the pool, we work with scheduled viewing lessons.

So please keep an eye on our swimming calendar (in Dutch). You can also find the viewing lessons in our app. When you see an eye next to a swimming lesson, it means you are welcome to watch that lesson. If not, we ask you to leave the pool hall.

During a viewing lesson you are welcome to watch the entire lesson. About 10 minutes before the end of the lesson, as a parent/carer you will have the opportunity to ask questions and have a brief chat with the swimming teacher.

Please bear in mind that the swimming teacher cannot always discuss all developments in detail during the viewing lesson, as the lesson continues as normal and their attention needs to stay with the swimmers.

Do you still have questions after the viewing lesson or would you like to discuss something in more detail? You can always contact us at info@zwemschooldepiranha.nl.

Can't make it in the week the viewing lesson is scheduled? No problem! You can come and watch the lesson the following week instead. Just let the swimming teacher know. There is no need to email us about this.

Grandma and grandpa are of course very welcome too! We're not fussy about that at all. We do ask you to respect the calm and space around the pool.

Private swimming lessons: for private swimming lessons, a parent/carer is allowed to stay and watch every lesson.

In these lessons there are at most around 4 children swimming at the same time, which keeps the number of people present limited and ensures enough calm and space around the pool.

Yes, definitely! Our swimming teachers hold the appropriate and required swimming licences and are qualified to give swimming lessons.

In addition, our swimming teachers have a valid VOG (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, the Dutch certificate of good conduct). They also receive annual support and refresher training in first aid.

We track every swimmer's development using a clear smiley system. Via our pupil tracking system (Wescore app) you can easily see how well the swimmer has mastered the various swimming skills and what progress is being made.

Blue smiley – Has started: the swimmer has begun the swimming lessons and is taking the first steps in the learning process.

Purple smiley – Well on the way: The swimmer is showing good progress and is mastering more and more parts of the swimming skills.

Green smiley – Very good:
The swimmer has excellent command of the swimming skills and shows that he/she can swim with confidence and good technique.

When does an assessment lesson take place? Assessment lessons take place roughly every 5 weeks. During this lesson we assess whether the swimmer has sufficiently mastered the skills of their current swimming level.

Once a swimmer has achieved all the skills of a swimming level, for example Zwemdiploma A Bronze, the swimmer moves up to the next swimming level, Zwemdiploma A Silver, and so on.

Please note that when a swimming level is completed, the day and/or time of the swimming lesson may change. If this is the case, we will contact you about it by phone or email.

During an assessment lesson, as a parent/carer you may enter the pool area for the last 10 minutes of the lesson. The swimming teacher can then briefly discuss the progress and assessment with you.

Do you have any questions afterwards or would you like to discuss something in more detail? You can of course always contact us at: info@zwemschooldepiranha.nl.

Can't attend the assessment lesson? No problem! Your child will then be assessed during the next swimming lesson. There is no need to contact us about this.

Want to know when the assessment lessons take place? Click here for our swimming calendar.

When a swimmer is temporarily making less progress, we always look at the cause first. This may relate to, for example, motivation, concentration, motor development or other circumstances.

Together we then look at which support fits best. Options include:

• Extra individual attention during the swimming lesson.
• Consultation with parents/carers to discuss possible causes.
• If necessary, a change of swimming teacher or swimming level.
• Positive encouragement and experiences of success, so that confidence and enjoyment in swimming are maintained.
• Where appropriate, we may advise temporarily taking private swimming lessons, so that extra attention can be given in a calm setting and any pressure can be reduced.

Our guiding principle is: always to look together at what the swimmer needs to keep learning to swim with confidence and enjoyment.

Swimming lessons only stop if you let us know in good time that you want to stop.
You need to tell us by the last day of the month at the latest. We will then stop the swimming lessons the following month.

How can I cancel? You can cancel by sending an email to info@zwemschooldepiranha.nl.

What is our notice period? Please allow for a notice period of 1 month.

Example: Would you like to stop as of 1 November?
Then you need to send us your email by 30 September at the latest.
The swimming lessons will then continue as normal in October.

Only sending your message in October?
Then the notice period applies from November and you can stop as of 1 December.

Good to know:

• Money you have already paid will not be refunded.
• Any remaining make-up lesson credit will not be refunded in cash either.
• Make-up lesson credit cannot be offset against a payment.

We therefore recommend using any remaining make-up lesson credit before the swimming lessons stop.

Yes, this is possible. When the swimmer moves up to the next swimming level or is working towards the diploma swim, the swimming day, time and/or swimming teacher may change.

If this applies, we will let you know by email or phone. The swimming teacher will also inform you about it during the swimming lesson.

We will of course try to take your availability and the swimmer's progress into account as much as possible.

Yes, we work with a regular photographer who visits at certain times during the swimming lessons to take photos. Before any photography takes place, we make sure all necessary permissions have been arranged.

We handle every swimmer's privacy with great care. Photos are only used when permission has been given.

The photos taken may be used for our website, social media and other promotional materials of Zwemschool De Piranha.

Would you like to know when the photographer is visiting? Click here.

Yes. In every swimming lesson, every swimmer swims in clothes. This is an important part of our swimming lessons and helps children learn how to cope with swimming and moving in the water while wearing clothes.

Would you like to know exactly which clothing is expected?

Suitable for the following types of swimming lessons: regular swimming lessons, special swimming lessons, private swimming lessons and swimming lessons for adults.

Zwemdiploma A (in Dutch).

Zwemdiploma B (in Dutch).

Zwemdiploma C (in Dutch).

Suitable for the following type of swimming lesson: special swimming lessons, if the learning pathway towards swimming diplomas A, B and C cannot be followed straight away.

Zwemprestatie certificates 1-2 or 3 (in Dutch).

Throughout the year we organise various fun themed swimming lessons for our children. With these lessons we want to tap into the children's experience, enjoyment and imagination. This way we make the swimming lessons not only educational, but also extra fun and special.

During a themed swimming lesson it is of course extra fun when children come dressed up. Dressing up is not compulsory, however.

Is your child coming dressed up? Then always keep safety in mind. Choose light clothing that is comfortable to swim in, and don't send your child in heavy or thick clothing.

Face paint is not allowed during the themed swimming lessons. This is to maintain the water quality of the pool and to make sure the water stays clean and safe for all swimmers.

Would you like to know more about our themed swimming lessons? Click here.

Your child can take the diploma swim once they have completed all three swimming levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) within the relevant swimming diploma and are sufficiently prepared for the diploma swim.

Before the official diploma swim takes place, we organise a practice swim. When your child is eligible for this, you will hear from us.

There is a charge for the practice swim and it is not compulsory. We offer it to prepare your child for the official diploma swim in a calm and pleasant way. Parents are welcome to come and watch the practice swim.

Afterwards, our swimming teachers assess how your child is doing. Does everything go well and does your child show they are ready for the diploma swim? Then your child can be registered for the official diploma swim.

Does the practice swim show that your child needs some extra practice or needs to master certain parts better? Then we will tell you clearly. Your child will then get extra attention for these parts during the regular swimming lessons.

Location and scheduling

The practice swim and the official diploma swim for the regular group lessons take place at our location in Arnhem.

For the special swimming lessons, the practice swim and diploma swim take place at our location in Velp. We deliberately keep these moments separate from the regular groups, so that children experience as little extra bustle and stimulation from other swimmers and onlookers as possible.

The practice swim and diploma swim take place on Tuesday or Friday, between 16:45 and 19:30. The exact day and time are communicated to parents in advance.

When a practice swim or diploma swim takes place on a Tuesday or Friday, the private swimming lessons normally given on those days are cancelled. That lesson will not be deducted from the lesson card.

Would you like to know more about the practice swim and its scheduling? Take a look at our swimming calendar (in Dutch).

Our swimming lessons are charged at a fixed monthly rate. This takes into account the scheduled holidays, public holidays, school study days and our annual closing days.

Does a swimming lesson on a Wednesday fall on a holiday, public holiday, study day or scheduled closing day? Then that swimming lesson is cancelled. The missed lesson cannot be made up at another time, and the monthly rate is not adjusted or reduced as a result.

The monthly rate is based on the total lesson programme and the annual lesson schedule. That is why the fixed monthly rate also applies in months in which one or more lesson days are cancelled due to a scheduled closing day.

Would you like to know more about our holidays and closing days when taking out and paying for the swimming lesson subscription? Take a look at our swimming calendar (in Dutch).

It may happen that a swimming lesson unexpectedly cannot go ahead. For example, due to a technical fault at the swimming pool, or in case of illness when we cannot arrange a replacement swimming teacher.

If a swimming lesson is cancelled by Zwemschool De Piranha, you will receive make-up lesson credit for it.

Group swimming lessons
For a cancelled group swimming lesson you will receive one make-up credit. You can use this credit at another time to make up a missed lesson. In the WeScore app you can see which make-up options are available and book the lesson you want.

The WeScore app determines which make-up times are available based on your child's or the swimmer's level. The system automatically shows you on which day and at what time you can make up the lesson.

Private swimming lessons
If a private swimming lesson is cancelled due to circumstances on our side, the lesson will not be deducted from your lesson card as a lesson given. Unfortunately, due to limited availability and scheduling, private swimming lessons cannot be made up at another time.

So you can book the make-up credit for group lessons yourself via the WeScore app. Please bear in mind that the available make-up times depend on the places available within the groups.

We certainly do! During the Open Day, every swimmer may bring along one friend or family member who is not yet taking swimming lessons at Zwemschool De Piranha.

The guest may take part in an introductory swimming lesson free of charge. This way he or she can get to know our swimming lessons, our swimming teachers and the atmosphere at our swimming school in a fun and relaxed way.

Parents/carers are welcome to stay and watch the introductory swimming lesson.

A fun way to swim together and get to know Zwemschool De Piranha!

Would you like to know when our next Open Day takes place? Take a look at our swimming calendar (in Dutch).

Yes! During our holiday periods we offer holiday swimming lessons. These lessons take place when our regular swimming lessons are closed.

The holiday swimming lessons are intended to give children an extra boost in their swimming skills in a short time. By swimming more intensively, swimmers can make faster progress and possibly earn their swimming diploma sooner. In some cases a child may even be ready for the diploma swim by the end of the swimming week.

How long does a holiday swimming lesson last? During the holiday swimming lessons, regular swimming lessons last 1.5 hours instead of the usual 45 minutes. This gives us lots of extra practice time to work specifically on swimming skills.

This does not apply to special swimming lessons. These lessons remain a maximum of 30 minutes, just like during the regular swimming lessons.

Who are the holiday swimming lessons for?

The holiday swimming lessons are for swimmers who take part in our regular swimming lessons. Children who are not yet taking swimming lessons at Zwemschool De Piranha can also join the holiday swimming lessons.

For new participants, however, a one-off registration fee applies.

Are the holiday swimming lessons included in my monthly fee?

No. The holiday swimming lessons fall outside the regular swimming lesson programme and are not included in the monthly fee. Taking part in the holiday swimming lessons involves an extra charge.

Why holiday swimming lessons? Holiday swimming lessons are a great way to practise extra intensively during the holidays. By swimming several sessions in a row, the swimmer gets an extra boost in their development and swimming skills. This can help them take faster steps towards the next level or swimming diploma.

Would you like to know when the holiday swimming lessons take place? Take a look at our swimming calendar (in Dutch).

For us, having fun while learning to swim comes first. That is why the swimming lessons start in a warm pool, with games and themed swimming lessons that help children feel at home in the water. Because children who are having fun learn faster!

First practise, then earn swimming diplomas

You start with Zwemdiploma A Bronze in the shallow pool and then move on to Silver and Gold. At each swimming level you learn new swimming skills, and if all goes well, you may take the diploma swim for your swimming diploma. During some swimming lessons you also swim in (extra) clothing, so that you learn how to save yourself if you unexpectedly fall into the water.

Would you like to see our swimming lesson plan? Click here.