Best Software for Small Swim Schools
Running a boutique swim school with a few dozen swimmers means juggling parent communication, seasonal terms, and level certificates while watching every dollar. Here’s a practical guide to the best software options for small programs—and why NNERB was built for you.
Why tiny swim schools need dedicated software
- Attendance meets safety: coaches need fast check-in to know who is poolside and who is late.
- Progress drives retention: parents expect level updates and certificates when their child completes a skill set.
- Cashflow is fragile: one missed monthly payment in a small program hurts; automated billing keeps revenue predictable.
- Seasonal churn: terms, make-ups, and waitlists change quickly—software keeps rosters tidy without spreadsheet chaos.
Non-negotiable features for a swim school platform
Billing & payments
Recurring term/monthly billing, family balances, and online payments so you’re not reconciling bank statements.
- Auto-invoices
- Payment reminders
- Family accounts
- Local currency support
Attendance kiosk
Tablet or phone check-in that coaches or parents can use; logs feed into eligibility and missed-class tracking.
- Self check-in
- Coach mobile app
- Late/absent markers
- Exportable logs
Progress & certificates
Track skills by level and issue digital certificates when swimmers complete a band—no more Word templates.
- Skill checklists
- Certificate templates
- Parent portal visibility
- Level-up alerts
Top software options for small swim schools
NNERB
Built for growing swim schools with transparent pricing (including a generous free tier), plus local currency support for Caribbean operators.
- Strengths: automated term billing, attendance kiosk, skill tracking, certificate generation, family accounts.
- Why it fits: simple enough for owner-operators, but still covers payments, attendance, and level progression in one place.
Jackrabbit Swim
Feature-rich and trusted, but plans start around $49/month for up to 100 students and can feel heavy for many small rosters.
- Pros: solid online registration, decent skill tracking, add-on branded app.
- Watch for: higher tiers as you grow, more setup work than many tiny schools prefer.
SwimBiz (ThinkSmart)
Swim-focused scheduling and invoicing with QuickBooks integrations. Pricing is typically paid from day one.
- Pros: swim terminology out-of-the-box, established user base.
- Watch for: no free tier, cost jumps with scale; interface can feel dated versus newer tools.
Why NNERB fits small (and growing) swim schools
- Predictable billing: automate monthly or term fees, track family balances, and avoid hidden payment add-ons.
- Instant attendance: kiosk mode or coach check-in on mobile with exportable logs for compliance and safety.
- Certificates in a click: track level completion and send certificates to parents without juggling separate tools.
- Local-first: multi-currency and Caribbean-friendly payment options so you’re not forced into US-only gateways.
- Quick start: import rosters from spreadsheets and publish classes without consulting projects.
Quick setup checklist for swim schools
- Map your current classes by level and days, then create them in software with caps and waitlists.
- Set recurring invoices for term or monthly billing and enable reminders before due dates.
- Publish a self check-in flow (kiosk PIN or phone-based) for coaches or parents at the pool entrance.
- Build your first certificate template and tie it to level completion so parents get an automatic “well done” email.
- Test a full journey: enroll a test family, pay online, check in, mark a skill complete, and issue a certificate.
