The almost drowing incident was at a party at a Kids First location not during swim lessons. Still shouldnt have happened but just thought I would throw that out there.
We do Kids First at a different location and are happy with it. DD is 4 and is now swimming arms and legs with face in after about 6 months of lessons. Sher started with no fear of water though.
Op if I were you though I would take your kid yourself once a week and let her play and practice putting face in, doing bobs, stuff like that. You are going to pay a lot for lessons when your kid doesnt actually need swimming lessons yet. Tell yourself swimming is on Thursdays every week and have the mindset its like a lesson. Get her comfortable and then start lessons.

We do British Swim School but at a different location. They are pricey, but the instructors seem to be really patient with water fears. Within six or so months my 7 year old is swimming really well and 5 year old is close. Before that, they cried on the side of the pool. My kids liked the emphasis on saving yourself in the very first class so once they got that down the rest was really easy.

Is there a Goldfish anywhere near you? We love it and the water is as warm as a bath.

we're currently at kids' first on boiling brook, and we like it. But my son was never afraid of the water, so I don't know how they would deal with that.

PP, there were roaches at the North Bethesda location of Kids First? When was this?

Would love to know more about the incident at Kids first. We pulled our kids after a couple sessions of very questionable instruction. Plus the roaches.

Kids first had an incident where a kid almost drown. British swim is ok but only on a groupon. Otherwise its overpriced for a 4-6 kid 30 minute group lesson. Your kid gets very little swim time. Try a wetsuit if the pool is cold.

Does anybody have any feedback regarding (1) British Swim School in Bethesda (Democracy Blvd location) or (2) Kids First in North Bethesda (Boiling Brook location)? I've looked at old posts here and at Yelp, but not too many reviews of either location. My DC is about to turn 4 and is pretty water phobic, despite many classes at Kennedy Shriver. TIA!