Aqua-Tots Swim School Sterling Heights, located at 44891 Hayes Rd, Sterling Heights, MI, offers year-round indoor swim lessons for children of all ages and skill levels. They provide a safe and fun environment for kids to learn water safety and swimming proficiency through their proprietary curriculum and certified instructors.
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools typically maintain their pools at a comfortable 90°F (32°C), providing an ideal warm environment for children to learn and practice swimming.
What are people saying (AI review summary)? Aqua-Tots generally receives very positive feedback, with numerous parents praising the effectiveness of swim lessons, reporting that their children, even those initially hesitant, thrive and quickly develop strong aquatic skills. The staff, including instructors, front desk, and management, are frequently described as friendly, knowledgeable, and caring, contributing to a family-like environment that children enjoy. However, a significant concern was raised regarding a specific incident on May 30, 2025, where the indoor pool allegedly operated with a completely non-functional ventilation system, violating Michigan Administrative Code. Despite an 'overwhelming, putrid smell' and staff awareness, lessons reportedly continued without informing clients or taking safety precautions, leading to serious concerns about potential health risks from chloramine exposure for children, families, and staff, and management's perceived prioritization of profit over safety.
Reviews
While we absolutely love Coach Katelyn and know there are several wonderful instructors here who genuinely connect with and care about the kids they teach, I'm deeply troubled by how the owner and management handled a recent and serious safety issue. On Friday, May 30, 2025, the indoor pool was operating with a completely non-functional ventilation system—a clear violation of Michigan Administrative Code R. 325.2182, which mandates proper heating, ventilation, and dehumidification in public pool environments. Despite this, the facility continued running lessons without informing clients or taking even basic safety precautions like opening doors to allow fresh air. To be clear, Aqua-Tots accepts clients as young as four months old—and all of these children, along with families and staff, were exposed to unsafe air conditions in the enclosed pool area. I personally asked about the issue after noticing the overwhelming, putrid smell inside the pool facility and was told they were aware of the broken system and were "hoping it would be fixed by Monday." I also informed them that continuing to operate in those conditions was illegal, but they chose to keep lessons going anyway. This isn’t just about poor management—it’s about choosing profit over the safety of children, families, and staff. Some instructors will work shifts of up to five hours in those conditions. The buildup of chloramines—dangerous chemical byproducts in pool air when ventilation is inadequate—can cause serious respiratory irritation and long-term health risks. If you were at Aqua-Tots on Friday 5/30/2025, you likely remember the foul smell—but may not have known the true health dangers behind it. I’ve attached photos that clearly show the ventilation system was not working, with extreme condensation and no doors propped open while normal operations continued. I'm sharing this review in hopes that other parents, guardians, and community members are aware and can make informed decisions. I hope the company takes this matter seriously, not just as a repair issue, but as a reflection of how they value the health and safety of their workers and clients.
When I enrolled my grandson for swimming lessons, I wanted him to learn to be comfortable in the water. The first week and a half of lessons were shaky, because of his fear of the water. By the end of his 2nd week of lessons, he was more relaxed, and allowed himself to go under the water with the assistance of his swim coach. Now he's swimming under the water several feet on his own, and diving down to grab the ring from the bottom. He has accomplished so much in his first month of swim lessons with Aqua-Tots! Best investment ever made for my grandson.
My son (4) is thriving with his lessons. He looks forward to his swim lessons and open swimming at Aqua-Tots! My daughter (2) was slow to warm up to her lessons but has since now loves swimming.
My son has been coming since infant. He is now 4. I love watching him be excited as he learns new skills. Staff is all friendly and we loved the Christmas event they had with Santa recently!
The staff at Aqua Tots is amazing!! Everyone from the front desk staff to the water safety instructors to the management is unbelievable! We have been coming here for years with all our children. They make us feel like family and our kids love to come!! The instructors are very knowledgeable and kind. We love it!
| Sunday | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
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