The Views of Swim School Providers on Impacts of a Population-Level Swimming Lesson Voucher Program.

Abstract

Issue addressed: Learning to swim reduces drowning risk and facilitates access to lifetime health benefits of aquatic activity. Amid cost-of-living pressures and disparities in swimming lesson access, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have invested in strategies to foster access and participation. This study examines the swim school industry's perceived impacts of the NSW government First Lap voucher program to subsidise swimming lessons for young children.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach analysed anonymous survey responses of 100 swim schools. Quantitative analysis calculated frequencies with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and thematic analysis was applied to open-ended qualitative responses.

Results: Most providers (63%) reported increased enrolment (95% CI 53%-72%) and 58% noted boosted income (95% CI 48%-67%) since program commencement. Sixty-nine percent observed more new enrolments (95% CI 60%-78%), leading to additional classes (57%; 95% CI 47%-67%) and teaching staff hours (59%; 95% CI 49%-68%). Increased pool space usage (36%; 95% CI 27%-46%) and non-teaching staff hours (36%; 95% CI 26%-45%) were noted. Key themes derived from open-ended question responses included swim schools' operational impacts (such as promotional opportunities, student retention and increased administration) and family effects, such as improved affordability and earlier enrolment.

Conclusions: Findings highlight benefits such as increased enrolment and income, alongside industry challenges in staffing and resourcing. Future research should explore voucher programs' impact on participant retention and long-term enrolment outcomes. SO WHAT?: This study details impacts of a population-level voucher program on the aquatic industry, addressing a knowledge gap around the role and views of industry, which can inform future health promotion strategies.