Thanks for this thread, OP. I also have an almost 3 year old and wanted winter swim lessons!

OP here. Wow, enthusiastic recs for Kids First. Never heard of them but I'll check them out. Thanks.

We did Kids First because of the warm water. We started with private and then moved to small group. If you want faster results go more than once a week.

We live in DC but also recommend Kid's First. Was great for our 4yo last year (although she's been taking swim lessons for years so was already comfortable). I saw many kids who were not yet comfortable there taking private lessons and the instructors were great with them.

We have been doing Kids First since Jan as well and have been happy with it. DD was 3.5 when we started and was in lessons without parent.
You could maybe do one mommy and me class and then let him go by himself.
The water is kept at 90 degrees which is a huge plus imo. PLus they have lots of lesson times so can work around your schedule. I think the only negative is they are more expensive than county lesson, I dont know how that compares to the ymca.

We liked kids first for the introduction and getting comfortable. Small pool (not a loud echo chamber of a big swim center) and they keep the water warm. Big plus in my kid's eyes.

DS will be 3 this winter and we're thinking about swim lessons -- informal stuff, just getting comfortable in the water. He enjoys the pool but he doesn't want to put his head under and he wants to be held the whole time. Which is fine, but we're thinking we should continue the water exposure over the winter, preferably in a group setting since he is often more willing to try things if he sees other children doing them.

Anyone have good or bad experiences to share? We are thinking parent-child lessons at the Silver Spring YMCA, the JCC in Rockville, or the Shriver Aquatics Center (we are in Bethesda and are willing to drive up to 30 mins). Any thoughts on these or other possibilities would be welcome.