Swimming Classes at Puddle Ducks South Lancashire

Underwater Photo Shoot

My Daughter at the last shoot

We will be running an underwater photoshoot on the 29h July 2012 at the Euxton Private Pool for existing Puddle Ducks customers so please get in touch on 01606 892868 

Nominated for a Mumsclub award

My lovely nomination

I had a lovely email yesterday ro say that I have been nominated for a mums club award. I am very excited to be nominated and there is a long way to fo but to be nominated is an achievement. 

I will keep you all updated with the progress of this nomination.

Nominations for Teacher of the Term

South Lancs are pleased to say that Alison was  nominated for Teachers of the Term. Alison was delighted to be nominated and pleased that you our customers took the time to nominate her. Thank You

The nomination was:

Nominated by Caroline Hardy (mum to Rosie)
Alison has been rosies teacher for nearly a year now and I'm thrilled with the way in which she teaches her , and encourages her. My daughter suffers with anxiety and panic attacks resulting in sickness on extreme occasions. Alison makes her feel comfortable and secure. And she has come on in leaps and bounds.

Well done Alison from all of us

Underwater Photo Shoot

Picture from last terms shoot of Charlie swimming is mum

We will be running an underwater photoshoot on the 27th November 2011 at the Sporting Lodge Inns for existing Puddle Ducks customers so please get in touch on 01606 892868 

Wanted Your Summer Swimming Stories

Do you have any stories from the summer holidays and feel happy sharing with us. Did your little one start to blow bubbles, jumped in on their own or how they showed off their skills.

If you do either email us at southlancs@puddleducks.com or post on Face Book - Puddle Ducks South Lancs and each one will win a free lesson and a window wobbler. I look forward to hearing your stories

Puddle Ducks South Lancs has a fully qualified Aqua-Natal and Aquacise teacher

Tracey spent a long weekend with 7 other teachers within the Puddle Ducks network to study and achieve her quallification in aqua-natal and aquacise. Tracey says she had a busy but enjoyable time

The classes will start in September in Leigh on a Thursday evening and Tracey is very excited to be doing these sessions and adding a new exciting addition to Puddle Ducks South Lancs

The classes are aimed at mums to be andalso post natal mums and we will welcome anyone who want to join us. If you want more information please call the office on 01606 892868

Nominations for Teacher of the Term

South Lancs are pleased to say that Elle and Tracey were nominated for Teachers of the Term. Both Elle and Tracey were delighted to be nominated and pleased that you our customers took the time to nominate them. Thank You

The comments were

Tracey Hargraves 

Nominated by Daria Jakobczak
My name is Daria and I would like to vote for Tracey from Puddle Duck (Southport) as she is very professional and well organized teatcher and my baby loves the way how she provided our swimming classes. Thank You

Tracey Hargraves Nominated by Jenny BirdTracey is a fantastic teacher, She treats all the children as individuals working with each of their personalities and needs to bring them on  I have grown in confidence with my baby in the water and that's thanks to her patience and relaxed manner lilli loves her and puddle ducks 

Pictures from the Underwater Shoot

A confident splasher under the water

A selected number of photos from the underwater photo shoot are on the site now. Thank you to those that gave permission to use the photos

The babies all look lovely and we thank you for joining in on the day. We had such a lovely time and look forward to doing another shoot in the Autumn term. 

Approved Mama Pack Distributor

We have become an approved Mama Pack distributor and we will give to all new mums with babies under 6 months and enrolled on a course wirh Puddle Ducks South Lancashire. Just mention when booking in.

Mama Packs are cotton bags & the United Kingdoms ONLY ethically influenced, trade marked Mum & Baby sample pack. A pack you wont find nasty chemicals in, a pack you will love receiving!

Further information »

Interview with Alison South Lancs Newest Teacher

Where and when did you hear about Puddle Ducks?

I heard about Puddle Ducks when I was researching swimming lessons for my baby son, Charlie. I was looking for something that was friendly and gentle as well as having those vital life saving elements. Nowadays there are so many measurements for the progress of babies and young children, I wanted a teacher who would take things at my baby's pace no matter how fast or slow that was.

What did you do before training to become a teacher?

Before training to be a teacher, I was a regional business manager for a private healthcare group and prior to that I was a financial operations manager for a technical recruitment company. 

Why did you decide to train? 

I decided to train because I could see how much Charlie loved his lessons and how the other babies and mums in my class enjoyed that half hour of special bonding time. I wanted to be part of that; part of that happiness and massive sense of achievement. Also, having met my teacher, Tracey and her poolside assistant, Kirsty, I was overwhelmed by their passion and their enthusiasm - and it was catching!!.

What was the hardest thing about the training?

I think the hardest thing for me was being away from my baby for 5 whole days for the first time. The course itself was tough but structured in such a way that each level was explained theoretically and then we were able to practice in the pool on the same day.

What was the best bit about the training?

I met some great friends who I'm sure will be fantastic teachers. We also had some new franchisees on the training course ensuring that everybody gets the best training possible.

When you are not getting wrinkly in the water, what do you like to do?

 Ha ha! When I'm not in the water, I love spending time with my son and his friends (and their mums). I love to read, anything and everything, and I enjoy cooking for my family and friends. Letting go of a full time, high pressured senior role hasn't been easy, so I do a bit of consulting to keep my hand in. 

What are you most looking forward to now?

So many things, mums relaxing with their floaties, splashers recognising the submersion signal for the first time, my first little dipper's independent swim. I could go on and on.  Mostly I'm looking forward to a new chapter in my life working with little ones and their carers, having fun in the water.

Next Term

The Summer term will start on the 16th April 2012 and will finish on the 22nd July 2012, half term is week commencing Monday 4th June 2012.

However for Southport, Mercure Hotel Bolton and Shaw Hill Golf Club we will not be running lessons on Monday 7th May due to the Bank Holiday.

Pyjama Party

It was great to see so many children and parents in PJ’s in the water. We are sure you will agree, it was a great opportunity for our baby and toddler swimmers to experience swimming fully clothed. We hope it never happens, but it might help our young swimmers in the future, if they did accidentally fall in water clothed.

Well done and Thanks!

Baby Swim Business Wins Three Major Nominations for National Awards

Puddle Ducks are thrilled to have been nominated in three categories in the ‘What’s on 4’ 2010 Awards:

1) Best National Baby & Toddler Development Activity (newborn to 2 years)

2) Best National Pre-schooler Development Activity (2 to 5 years)

3) Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s (Ali Beckman)

These awards are voted for by parents across the country – last year Puddle Ducks reached the finals and we are so excited about the possibility of winning a category this year.

PLEASE VOTE for Puddle Ducks now!

Posted on 15th March 2010 by Jo Stone

Splashathon 2010 - lets try to save tiny lives- w/c 14/6/2010

We are delighted to announce we will be supporting Tommy’s, the baby charity by taking part in their annual event, Splashathon. We will be hosting a Pyjama Party in their honour!

What is Splashathon?

• Tommy’s Splashathon is a national, community based event, that encourages parents to take their babies and toddlers swimming, whilst also raising funds for Tommy’s, the baby charity

• Hundreds of swim schools, swimming pools and individuals around the UK hold a Splashathon event each year in May and June

• Splashathon is for parents with babies and young children

• Participants raise sponsorship money for their ‘Splash’ by undertaking a challenge.

The event has been running for 11 years and has successfully raised over £800k in total for Tommy’s work.

Who is Tommy’s, the baby charity?

Tommy’s exists to save babies’ lives because right now in the UK one in four women loses a baby during pregnancy or birth. We fund research at our centres in Manchester, London and Edinburgh and provide information on the causes and prevention of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth. By 2030 we want to halve the number of babies who die during pregnancy and birth. For further details please view the tommy’s website www.tommys.org

When will it take place?

The 2010 splashathon will take place in all Puddle Ducks lessons week commencing 14th June 2010. Each child will do something special during the lesson according to the age and ability of the children in the class. Your teacher will be able to advise you on what this may be. All children (and parents in the water) should wear shortie pyjamas. The focus will be on lifesaving.

The top fundraising customer (from Puddle Ducks South Lancs) will receive a free £10 swimming voucher. In addition the charity is offering a bumper pack of swimwear worth £200 for the top fundraiser across the UK and a fun prize for those who raise over £50 and send it in before 31^st August.

How do I take part?

If you would like to get involved, great! All you need do is log on to www.splashathon.org to create your own personalised online sponsorship page for your Puddle Duck, clearly stating Puddle Ducks South Lancashire as the name of the swimming school. You can then email to family and friends for them to sponsor him/her securely on line. No need to carry around paper forms and chase outstanding sponsors!

If you would like a paper sponsor form just pick one up from your pool, or you can order one from www.splashathon.org.

Lets help make a difference this year, helping Tommy’s save tiny lives.

Any Questions? Please contact us as normal.

Further information »

Posted on 17th May 2010 by Jess Bennett

Splashathon Update

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who took part in our Splashathon. It was great fun to see so many of you in the pool in your PJ’s.

We were raising money for Tommy’s charity, and I am delighted to tell you that we raised £75 in donations at the pools, and this doesn’t include any sponsorship money that you may have raised individually! If your little one has raised sponsorship money, please send it directly to Tommy’s. Instructions on how to do this will be found on your sponsorship form or online.

Thank you so much for your generosity and I’m sure that this money will make a big difference to families who rely on the support from Tommy’s.

Details of our total money raised will be posted in September

Posted on 5th July 2010 by Jo Stone

Any Pools?

We are a rapidly growing franchise. If you know of anyone who would like to hire a pool to us, we would love to be introduced to them!

Many Thanks

Tracey

Posted on 30th September 2009

Puddle Ducks makes you smile

Puddle Ducks makes you smile

Take a look at our video "Puddle Ducks make you smile" on You Tube. Its impossible to watch without smiling .......

Posted on 30th September 2009 by Jo Stone

Job Opportunity - Admin Assistant

Would you like the chance to work within Puddle Ducks and share your enthusiasm of baby swimming with potential customers and also current customers?

Have a role that is school hours and school terms only then look no further!

Puddle Ducks South Lancashire (which has its home office in Comberbach, Northwich) is looking for an administrative assistant.

The role would be 2 days a week from 9.30 to 2.30pm with the potential to increase to 3 days as the business s grows.

The role would include the following:

• Answering the telephone which will be existing and new customer queries. You will deal with these enquiries and where possible take the bookings and process accordingly
• Maintaining our bespoke client database system.
• Organising events such as promotion events, in-house training or social events.
• Assisting with re-enrolment each term
• Other adhoc office based tasks.

The role is computer based so some prior experience of Microsoft Office would be beneficial but not essential as training can be provided.

If this appeals to you then please contact Tracey Hargraves on 01606 892868 or southlancs@puddleducks.com for further information.