Finding the best teacher for your child in any sport can be a daunting task. A balance should be maintained between having fun (and enjoying the sport) and being a bit competitive. Unless your little Johnnie eats, dreams and sleeps about swimming, it is best to avoid those coaches or teachers that are a little too intense in their approach.
Learning to swim at a very young age is highy recommended. Since water covers 75% of the earth's surface, the chances of your child encountering a wave or two is extremely likely during his/her lifetime. Being prepared for this encounter is the best thing you can do for them. Too often, fear overtakes the ill-prepared where a few lessons earlier in life would have at least eased their concerns if not prepared them to meet the challenge.
A great host of sites are popping up helping connect service providers with users and swimming lessons are no exception. Club Swim is just such a website. They connect swim teachers and coaches with parents and kids desiring to take lessons. They provide a great number of other advanced services as well should your child take swimming more seriously.