Swimming Classes at Puddle Ducks Wakefield

Local Teachers Nominated for Teacher of the Term Summer 2010

Danielle, nominated by Paula Moffat

Faye and Danielle, both teachers in the Wakefield, Sheffield and South Leeds franchise, were delighted to learn that their customers had nominated them for Teachers of Term 2010. This is what their customers had to say:

I would like to nominate Faye Burrell for teacher of the term. Faye has made us feel very welcome in her classes and nothing is too much trouble. She put me at ease when Sophie cried all through our first lesson and always gives full instruction and advice on how to deal with any problems encountered in the pool. She is a credit to Puddle Ducks. Regards. Nicola Griffiths

Our teacher Danielle (Puddleducks Wakefield) is relatively new and took over our sons class this term, but its like she has been there from the start with him. He can be nervous of the water and sometimes wary of strangers but he has taken to Danielle in such a way that she even gets a cuddle and kiss at the end of the lesson now. Regards Paula Moffat

I think Faye Burrell (wakefield) should be teacher of the term here are my 50 words why! Faye is very enthusiatic about her job & cares so much for all the children, she has given me & my daughter SO much confidence & Charlotte can't to attend her class every week. Faye has taught Charlotte to swim unaided in under 18 months! Puddle Ducks is fantatsic!

Faye and Danielle would like to thank all of their lovely customers and wish them a wonderful Summer Break.

Posted on 13th July 2010 by Tracy

Splashathon 2010 - lets try to save tiny lives- w/c 5/7/2010

We are delighted to announce we will once again 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 5^th July 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 pyjamas or sleepsuits. The focus will be on lifesaving.

The challenge we have selected for this very special swimming lesson is £5,000. The top local fundraiser will receive a free £20 swimming voucher and FREE VIP guest pass for 2 to The Village Hotel leisure club. 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 Wakefield 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 Jo Stone

New Baby Swim Teacher for Wakefield

New Puddle Ducks Wakefield baby swim teacher Danielle

We are delighted to introduce you to our new, fabulous teacher, Danni. Danni completed her gruelling seven day training course at the beginning of March and is looking forward to running her own classes soon.

Faye tracked Danni down to ask her a few questions:

Where and when did you hear about Puddle Ducks?

After looking for lessons for my son, I came across the Puddle Ducks website, we booked our first lesson with Faye and never looked back.

What did you do before training to become a teacher?

I teach a range of fitness classesand I am studying to become a teacher.

Why did you decide to train?

Both myself and more importantly, my son, took to Puddle Ducks and their ways of teaching, so becoming a teacher mysekf seemed like the next step.

What was the hardest thing about the training?

There is a lot to learn in a short space of time, but well worth it.

What was the best bit about the training?

Teaching a class by myself and seeing the enjoyment the kids get from it.

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

I spend time with my son, we like walking our two dogs and going to the park.

What are you most excited about next?

Getting my own classes and seeing the progression of the kids as they become “Puddle Ducks”.

Posted on 15th March 2010 by Tracy

Dates for our next underwater photo shoot

Does your child love it underwater?

An underwater photograph could be an ideal gift for a family member!!

Remember forever how confident your little one is in the water.

The next session is on on Monday 14th June 2010 at our Willow Lodge Pool. Bookings will be taken from 1st May.

The booking fee (non-returnable and payable to Puddle Ducks) will be £30 and there will be a maximum of 5 children in the water for the 20 minutes session. There will be one teacher in the water submerging the children and a second ensuring that the session is run as much like a normal class as possible aiming to make it a fun and enjoyable time for all.

You are welcome to book more than one sibling for each session fee, but your photographing time will be split accordingly.

There will be time to take several photographs under water, providing your child is willing and able.

Your class teachers will be able to advise if your child may be photographed underwater.

Photograph prices start from £25 and prompt photograph orders made in the two weeks following the shoot will qualify for a massive 20% discount. The full pricing structure can be found here.

Please see our photography page for more information. To book your slot please send a cheque for the £30 booking fee (payable to Puddle Ducks) to the address above.

Posted on 16th March 2010 by Jo Stone

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 2009 results

Congratulations to all the Puddle Ducks who took part in the 2009 Splashathon held in June. We managed to raise a fantastic £7,900 for Tommys across our franchise network.

We'd like to thank all those who donated. We exceeded our target of £5000 and next year we hope to raise even more.

We will shortly be announcing our top fundraisers.

Thanks again

Posted on 12th November 2009

We are a finalist in the Whats on for Little Ones Awards 2009

Thank you so much for your votes, they have all counted.

We are pleased to announce that we have been voted finalist in the Whats On for Little Ones Awards for

- Best National Toddler Development Activity

For more details, please click here.

Many, many thanks – watch this space!

Posted on 3rd February 2009

Splashathon 2009 - lets try to save tiny lives- w/c 8/6/2008

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

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 10 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 2009 splashathon will take place in all Puddle Ducks pre-school lessons week commencing 8th June 2008. 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. The challenge we have selected for this very special swimming lesson is £5,000. The top local fundraiser will receive a free £20 swimming voucher. The top three local fundraisers will receive a free pair of children's goggles. In addition the charity is offering a bumper pack of swimwear worth £200 for the top fundraiser across the UK and a fun gift for those who send sponsorship money 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 Wakefield 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 12th May 2009 by Jo Stone

VOTE FOR US at whatson4littleones.co.uk

Do you love your Puddle Ducks classes? We are pleased to announce that we have been nominated in the Whats On for Little Ones Awards for

- Best National Baby Development Activity

- Best National Toddler Development Activity

- Best National Preschool Development Activity

Why not click here to place your vote for Puddle Ducks in all three categories, it will only take a minute.

Many, many thanks – watch this space!

Posted on 3rd February 2009