Jennie Utsinger:  Wherever you live in or around NYC, it's likely there's a YMCA nearby! 23 locations across the five boroughs offer swim lessons to members and non-members. Lessons are grouped into three general categories according to skill and age: swim readiness skills (accompanied by a parent or caregiver), personal water safety and basic swimming skills, and finally stroke technique in older students. Select locations also offer stroke clinics or swim clubs.

Ages: babies aged 6 months and up

Cost: costs vary per location

Jennie Utsinger:  NYC Parks offers free swim lessons for children in all five boroughs. Due to the popularity of this program, registration is via a free online lottery system. Parents must attend with children aged 1.5 - 5; children aged 6 and up swim with instructors only. Fall, winter, and spring sessions are held at recreation center pools, of which participants must be members in order to eligible for the lessons. Summer lessons are held at select outdoor pools.

Ages: 1.5 years +

Cost: free

Jennie Utsinger:  Imagine Swimming has 14 locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Staff, which includes Olympians and national champions, are all extensively trained. Classes are typically 40 minutes long and have a low student to instructor ratio. Parent and me and group lessons are available. Note that enrollment in classes is perpetual, meaning that re-enrollment is never necessary.

Ages: 4 months - 18 years (note that each location has its own age restrictions)

Cost: contact Imagine for pricing

Jennie Utsinger:  With several locations around Manhattan, Physique Swimming aims to teach your kids to be master swimmers. Babies aged 4 months to age 3 participate in parent and child classes. Swimmers aged 4 and up progress through several levels. More accomplished swimmers can participate in a swim team or lifeguard training. Semi-private and private lessons are also available. Click on your selected location via the link above to view pool temperatures, which vary from 82-86 degrees.

Ages: babies aged 4 months and up

Cost: from approximately $40 per class (sessions have 9-15 classes)

Jennie Utsinger:  In Asphalt Green's Battery Park City and Upper East Side swim programs, children will learn comfort, coordination, technique, endurance and speed. Options include parent and me, group, private, swim clinics, a swim league, and a swim team. The Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics (AGUA) Swim Team for kids aged 6 to 18 years old is one of the top swim teams in the Northeast.

Ages: 4 months +

Cost: from $380 for non-members for a 10 week session of group lessons

Jennie Utsinger:  Camp Olympia's swim lessons run for 8 week sessions and are 30-45 minutes, depending on age. Private lessons are also available and Camp Olympia's Brooklyn Otters are a USA swimming year-round competitive swim team. Both locations hold a family swim on Sundays from 4pm to 5pm for $5 per person, so families can test the water before signing up for lessons if they choose! Note that both pools are competitive pools and are kept at relatively cooler temperatures (83-85 degrees).

Ages: 6 months + (age 15 + enroll in the "Adult Classes")

Cost: $190 per session

Jennie Utsinger:  Take Me to the Water offers lessons in various apartment buildings and health clubs throughout Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn, with water temperature guaranteed to be around a comfortable 86 degrees. Classes are offered in 30 minute or 45 minute sessions, depending on age and class type. Baby and Me, private, semi-private, and group lessons are available, as well as a swim team for children ages 6 to 14 years old.

Ages: 6 months +

Cost: Pricing from $25 per class, depending on class size and location.

Jennie Utsinger:  SwimJim's goal is teaching water safety to your little ones. Choose from parent and child, group lessons, or private lessons. If you're uncertain whether it's time to start lessons yet, try the free 20 minute "Swim n Splash" class for newborns 8 weeks through 5 months old (and parent/caregiver). All pools are kept between 84 degrees and 90 degrees. Note that enrollment in classes is perpetual, meaning that re-enrollment is never necessary.

Ages: 8 weeks +

Cost: from $46.50 per lesson

Jennie Utsinger:  Owner Danilo Krvavac was a Serbian record-holder who qualified for the 2000 Serbian Olympic swim team. AquaBeba's program teaches children to relax in the water while teaching water safety and awareness. Lessons for each age group are divided into several levels. Private lessons, semi-private lessons, and prenatal lessons are also available. The Olive Park Condominium location features a salt water pool heated to 88 degrees.

Ages: 4 months - 9 years

Cost: Pricing from $230 per 5 week session and up

Jennie Utsinger:  Encourage your baby to be a water baby at Penguin City Swim! Parent and me classes incorporate singing and games to introduce your baby to the water. Children aged 4 and up can start group classes, all with a low 1:3 or 1:4 student to instructor ratio. Semi-private and private lessons are also available, as well as a swim team for swimmers who would like to build up endurance.

Ages: Contact Penguin City Swim for age minimums

Cost: Pricing $43 per 30 minute water baby class; from $49 per 45 minute group lesson

Jennie Utsinger:  The JCC's Aquatics department has a well-developed swim program. Group lessons for babies aged 6 months and up, private lessons for children aged 3 and up, and swim team practice are held at the pool. Classes run weekly for sessions of approximately 4 months.

Ages: 6 months +

Cost: from $532 (members) / $672 (public) per session

Jennie Utsinger:  The Astoria Sports Complex's swim classes are 30 minutes with child to instructor ratios of 4:1 or 6:1. Parent and me classes are for babies aged 6 months to approximately 4 years old and work on increasing the child's comfort level in the water. Children then learn basic and advanced swimming skills and increase their comfort level in Pee-Wee and Adolescent Group Lessons. Private and semi-private lessons are also available.

Ages: 6 months +

Cost: $150 per 8 week session (ages 6 months - 4); $190 per 8 week session (ages 4 -17)

Jennie Utsinger:  This 90-year-old nonprofit recreational facility offers swim lessons for both members and non-members. Babies aged 6 months through 4 years are introduced to the water in parent and me classes. Children aged 4 years and up are evaluated and placed into the appropriate level to further develop their swim skills. Advanced swimmers can refine their strokes, diving skills, and flip turns in the Beyond Level Five classes. Note that registration must be done in person.

Ages: 6 months +

Cost: from $150 for members and $250 for non-members

Jennie Utsinger:  The Aquatics Department at Queens College offers a Red Cross certified swimming program. Children aged 1-3 are introduced to the water in a parent and me class. Children aged 4-5 begin group classes in the shallow end of the pool on elevated platforms. Swimmers then progress through six levels, developing their strokes, diving, and endurance. A competitive swim program is available for kids who have mastered their strokes. Note that registration must be via mail or in person.

Ages: 1 year and up

Cost: approximately $25/class; 6-8 classes per session