We love Anthony Bowen YMCA. The classes are never full, the teachers are good and the facilities are great.

Nations capital swim club at AU has classes for 3 year olds. They have 1 month sessions in June/July which is a nice way to try it out without a full session commitment (fall and spring are 12 week sessions).

Not sure if they have any openings, but the DCJCC on lower 16th has a swimming pool, DD took private lessons there one summer several years ago, they also have group classes, spots fill quickly. Lowell SChool on upper upper 16th has an aquatics class program open to outside students, and swimming every day at their summer camp. You can also get swimming classes at the Y on Rhode island and the one on W.

My 4 year old takes lessons at Washington Sports Club in Columbia Heights. They offer both private and small-group swim classes.

Can someone recommend private/group swim lessons/instructor for a three year old? We live in NW DC and are not members of a local pool. Our goal for the lessons is to try and get to the point where the toddler could get to the side of the pool if she jumped/fell in.