News Archive for March 2009

Highest Mark in Swimming Industry Award

We are pleased to announce that Puddle Ducks Mid Cheshire were delighted to be awarded one of the top Swimming Industry awards in the , by the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA). With distinction!

The STA STAmark scheme recognises outstanding swim schools who have achieved the highest standards of business, operations and teaching programmes. This National award is recognised and fully aligned with British Standards and demonstrates that Puddle Ducks exceeds industry requirements in these areas.

Owners Tracy Townend and Jo Stone commented “we were thrilled to receive such a high accolade. We are proud of our business processes, the way we have developed our programme and look after our customers and our staff. Now our customers can be assured that they really are coming to some of the best swimming classes in the country”.

Jo said “The assessor, Steve Franks told us that he was so impressed that without doubt we deserved to receive a distinction. He commented on the enthusiasm and professionalism of our teachers and said that our systems were some of the best he had ever seen. In particular, Steve said we had tremendous strength in our use of our website and of technology making communication with our customers extremely strong. We were told we had a solid business foundation with a fantastic franchise package and that he hoped we would continue to grow both locally and through franchising.”

By the end of this year, all franchises will be assessed for the award within the first two years of operation. We are confident that they too will achieve a high accoloade!

Posted on 6th March 2009 by Jo Stone

Huggies Teacher of the month

We are pleased to announce that Ali Beckman from our Mid Cheshire team is the national "Huggies Swimming Teacher of the month".

Ali says “I was Puddle Ducks’ first employee, and it has been an amazing journey. As well as my teaching I am also involved at Head Office in teacher-training and developing our programmes, something which comes naturally as I develop both myself and my children in the classes. I love the fact that our children adore the water and to see them relaxed, happy and even smiling underwater is still an amazing feeling. When I see a Puddle Duck who has been with me since a few months old, swim 5 or 10m at just three years of age I almost cry with pride! I still have the same passion for Puddle Ducks as I did when I first started and can honestly say it is the best job in the world.”

Mum Emma with Lucy, 2 years says “Ali's lessons are always fun, entertaining and educational. To be an excellent teacher you have to have a certain 'something'. You either are an excellent teacher or you aren't. It's a part of your personality. Ali is a natural, she has the 'it' factor. However she also works extremely hard - she is always prepared, she knows her stuff and she delivers in a totally exhilarating way. My daughter is only two but I can actually see her swell with confidence when Ali praises her. Lucy wants to please her and tries her hardest. This is because Ali has built up such a lovely relationship with her. In our class the children have improved so much. Ali knows when to 'push' them but never goes too far so that it knocks their confidence. We have LOVED Ali's lessons. She certainly deserves to win!”

We are all thrilled with the award - well done ALI!!!!

Posted on 6th March 2009