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Life happens. Kids get sick, families take vacations, schedules clash, and sometimes a child just has an off day and doesn’t want to swim. Big Blue Swim School’s makeup lesson policy is built around that reality, offering more flexibility than any other swim program so that lessons fit into your life instead of fighting against it.
This guide breaks down exactly how the policy works, what counts as a missed lesson, and how to use your makeup vouchers without losing them.
How Many Makeup Lessons Do Big Blue Swimmers Get?
Every swimmer at Big Blue Swim School receives up to 15 free makeup lesson vouchers per year for missed weekly lessons. That is more flexibility than any other swim program offers, and it is designed to cover the realistic ups and downs of a busy family schedule, whether that is illness, travel, scheduling conflicts, or just one of those days.
How the Makeup Lesson Policy Works
Your Swimmer’s Year Starts on Their First Lesson
Each swimmer’s annual makeup lesson count is tied to their own personal start date. The year begins on the date of a swimmer’s first weekly lesson and runs for twelve months from there, ending on the anniversary of that date.
You Can Use Vouchers Anytime During the Year, Not Just Once a Month
Big Blue used to limit makeup lesson vouchers on a monthly basis, but that structure created unnecessary stress during busy stretches like holiday seasons or summer travel. Under the current policy, swimmers can miss up to 15 lessons at any point throughout their year and receive a free makeup lesson voucher for each one. There is no monthly cap and no need to spread missed lessons evenly across the year. If three lessons get missed in one month because of a family trip, that is fine.
Makeup Vouchers Expire 45 Days After the Missed Lesson
Each voucher needs to be used within 45 days of the original missed lesson date. This window gives families plenty of time to find a slot that works, while keeping the scheduling system manageable for every Big Blue location.
Your Missed Lesson Count Resets Every Year
The 15-voucher count resets annually, on the anniversary of a swimmer’s first lesson date. For example, a swimmer who started lessons on October 19, 2025, and missed 12 lessons by the following October would have three remaining vouchers available until October 18, 2026. On October 19, the count resets back to zero missed lessons out of 15.
How to Report a Missed Lesson
Reporting a missed lesson is simple and can be done two ways: through the Parent Portal or directly in the Big Blue app.
If a lesson is reported in advance, a makeup lesson voucher is added to your account immediately, and it can be used either before or after the missed weekly lesson. If a lesson is not reported ahead of time, the voucher is automatically added to your account after the missed lesson takes place. Either way, you do not need to worry about losing a credit for a lesson your child could not attend.
Why This Policy Matters for Busy Families
Weekly consistency is one of the biggest factors in how quickly a child progresses in swim lessons. But real life does not always cooperate with a fixed weekly schedule. Big Blue built this policy specifically to remove the tension between consistency and flexibility, so families never have to choose between keeping their child enrolled and accommodating the realities of everyday life.
Whether it is a sudden illness, a planned vacation, a conflicting school event, or simply a tough morning, the makeup lesson policy means a missed class does not have to mean lost progress or wasted money. It is one of the reasons families consistently point to Big Blue as one of the easiest swim programs to stick with long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions About Big Blue’s Makeup Lesson Policy
How many makeup lessons does Big Blue Swim School offer per year?
Every swimmer receives up to 15 free makeup lesson vouchers per year for missed weekly lessons. This is the most generous makeup lesson policy of any swim school.
When does a swimmer’s makeup lesson year start?
A swimmer’s year begins on the date of their very first weekly lesson and runs for twelve months, resetting on that same date each year going forward.
Can I use more than one makeup lesson voucher in the same month?
Yes. There is no monthly limit on makeup lesson vouchers. Swimmers can use as many of their 15 annual vouchers as needed at any point during the year, which makes it easier to manage busier stretches like holidays or extended travel.
How long do makeup lesson vouchers last before they expire?
Each voucher expires 45 days after the date of the original missed lesson, giving families a reasonable window to schedule a replacement class.
What happens to unused makeup lesson vouchers at the end of the year?
Makeup lesson vouchers do not roll over. A swimmer’s missed lesson count resets to zero on the anniversary of their first lesson date, and a new set of up to 15 vouchers becomes available for the new year.
How do I report a missed swim lesson at Big Blue?
Missed lessons can be reported through the Parent Portal or the Big Blue app. Reporting in advance adds the voucher to your account right away. If you do not report ahead of time, the voucher is automatically added after the missed lesson.
Does Big Blue’s makeup lesson policy cost extra?
No. Makeup lesson vouchers are included as part of every swimmer’s enrollment at no additional cost, up to 15 per year.
A Swim Program That Works With Your Life, Not Against It
At Big Blue Swim School, we believe consistent swim lessons should never feel like a source of stress. Our makeup lesson policy is just one of the ways we make it easier for families to stay on track, even when life gets unpredictable.
Find a Big Blue Swim School location near you and enroll today.