Toddler swim classes

My son is 16 months old. Last summer, he loved the pool of course in the pool with me and in an infant tube.

I want to get him into swim classes now to be prepared for this summer. I called two places so far. NYSC in Deer Park and my parents told me to call the YMCA.
I think because they feel it will be cheaper there.

When I spoke to someone at the NYSC, the woman was professional, knowledgable and said their priority is to teach safety skills and life skills. Their ratio is low (student to teacher) their pool is heated for the toddlers.
The pool being heated is not what I'm really interested in, it's the safety and life skills that got me.
However, they are $176.00 for an 8 week session and then of course you keep renewing sessions.

I called YMCA and the young girl didn't seem to know much about the classes. She suggested a membership program fee and the classes, again an 8 week session.
I believe all together is was $15.00 cheaper. Their classes are 15-20 children with lifeguards .

Both of these classes at each place require the parent to be in the pool as well.
Just curious to get your input. Have you tried one of these programs for your child? Which would you go with?

I think the NYSC sounds better to me.

If you guys have other recommendations at other places, please let me know. Obviously, the price is deciding choice but, the safety of my child and him getting the most out of the class outweighs that.

Thank you

Re: Toddler swim classes

My son went to NYSC in Deer Park as well. They were really great. He was 3 so I didn't go in the pool but sat on the side. The instructors were young but very appropriate and professional. The woman who ran the program was also great. It is on the pricey side but I was very comfortable there. I'd recommend it.

Re: Toddler swim classes

We tried safe t swim, but now go to the YMCA and even though its not one on one for the older kids, we like it better. It is structured, not a bunch of kids doing different things.

For kids under three though a parent has to go with them, so it's sort of one on one anyway.

It's also reasonably priced 85 I think for a year membership, then 95 (I think) for a session that runs 9 weeks. The 85 membership is only paid once a year so if you keep signing up for sessions, and they do graduate to different levels, it's a little more than $10 per class.