Does the YMCA down there utilize float belts in their kids' swimming program?  I taught swimming in the Y up here for years.  At first glance I was appalled at the float belt system but when I became an instructor and was told the principle behind the floats, it made perfect sense.  The float belts came in 3 styles:  the cube (about 8 x8 x 8) was attached on the upper back by a belt just under the armpits and gave the young child enough bouyancy to "ride a tricycle" in the water.  It kept their head up IF they doggy paddled.  It was used to build muscles, show the child they had to paddle to stay afloat, and to allay fear of the water.  The next belt up was the "sandwich" which had 2 smaller floats about 8" square by 2" deep and was attached with one float on the belly and one on the back at waist height.  The placement brought the lower torso up so the child was elongated in the water in preparation for learning the crawl and other true strokes.  The float added enough bouyancy again so the child could develop muscles to stay afloat but would not hold the child above water if they quit working.  The third step was to remove the belly float which occurred when the child was stronger.  The system was awesome and I've often wondered if it reached other YMCA's across the nation as it's creator was from Minnesota. 

My family has been a part of the YMCA for years.  What a great environment for the kids.   Junior Development, After school, Leadership Groups, and Camp Counseling.

 I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.