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Nicola Codd
Franchise Owner
I launched Puddle Ducks baby and pre school swimming classes in Doncaster and South Humberside in 2014 and since then I have had the pleasure of teaching hundreds of babies and children.
I really do believe that there is no greater skill you can teach your child. I began taking my son Chester to swimming classes when he was five months old and I saw the benefits to both myself and him. His confidence grew and I adored being in the water with him, watching his skills develop. I'm now expecting my third baby and can't wait to introduce them to the pool.
As well as teaching valuable water safety skills, our classes are fun too and I love seeing your little ones progress.
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Tina Cawood
Office Manager
I joined Puddle Ducks as a customer when my little boy was 5 months old (he is 2 and a half years now) and loved the classes and the whole ethos of Puddle Ducks, especially how they teach babies/children such an important life skill. When an opportunity came up to work for Puddle Ducks I immediately jumped at the chance to join the team.
My role as the Office Manager is mainly focused on customer service, dealing with new enquiries, bookings, queries and above all ensuring our customers are getting the best experience from swimming with Puddle Ducks!
When not working I enjoy spending time with my two favourite boys (My husband and son) and our two dogs, as well as socialising with family and friends - with an occasional glass of prosecco thrown in for good measure!!
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Nikki Riley
Senior Teacher
I joined the Puddle Ducks team as a Poolside Assistant in 2015 and completed my training to become a Swimming Teacher in 2016. I teach baby and pre-school classes at John Whitgift Academy, Treetops Cottages, Ivy House and Epworth pool.
The best part of my job is seeing each child develop
A mum of two myself, aged 7 & 4, I love outdoor adventure with my family, meeting up for tea and cake with friends. I have worked with children since the age of 16 and love it. Seeing each child develop in to little independent swimmers is amazing.
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Vicky Gravel
Senior Teacher
I joined the Puddle Ducks team in April 2016 and currently teach Swim Academy at Oak House and Willow Lodge, and Baby & Pre-School classes at Epworth, Oak House and Willow Lodge.
Prior to becoming a swimming teacher, I was a Sales advisor in a bank. The best bit about my job now is the swimmers! Also the fact that I get to act like a big kid and have so much fun at work, it never feels like work and I enjoy every lesson every week! I just love it! I would live in water if I could. I like to run too and often come to work red faced (especially Dippers on a Tuesday!) as a result.
I have two children, a boy (3) and a girl (4) and a dog called Coco. I'm not sure which out of the three is the craziest! I also love food - My husband is a Chef, so i'm always eating!
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Rebecca Lord
Teacher
I joined the Puddle Ducks team in 2016 and I absolutely love teaching children a life saving skill.
I have always taken my little girls swimming and have seen first hand the benefits. It is great to see children confident and enjoying themselves in the water.
When i'm not working, I can be found enjoying a tub of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, yum!
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Sarah Priestly
Teacher
I joined Puddle Ducks as a Poolside Assistant in October 2016, but decided to take the 'plunge' and train to become a teacher. I qualified and began teaching classes at Heatherwood School, DW Fitness Selby and Aegir School in 2018 and I love it! The best part of my job is seeing the children I teach gain confidence in the water and progress to safe and happy swimmers.
A mum of two myself, the whole family love swimming and generally having fun in the water. We love to spend time at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park and being outdoors - I have three dogs (and five tortoises!). I also love gardening when I have the time.
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Madi Mace
Teacher
I started training with Puddle Ducks Doncaster in February 2018, having spent the last ten years working for a large retail bank. I became a qualified swimming teacher in June 2018 and currently teach at Epworth Pool.
The best bit about being a Puddle Ducks teacher is watching the children progress week on week. A very different career to banking, as I can see that I am really making a difference by teaching children a real life skill!
I have two children, aged two and one - being a mother and a Puddle Ducks customer myself, I can appreciate how hard it is to just get out of the door, never mind to a swimming lesson! But it is always the highlight of our week and it is great to see lots of other families enjoying it too. In my spare time I like to be in the garden - I grow lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and the kids help me too, so it's very rewarding!
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Emily Hembry
Teacher
I joined Puddle Ducks as a Teacher in September 2018, after bringing both of my sons to their classes for the last three years - since they were 12 weeks old. They absolutely loved their classes and so did I!
I teach Swim Academy classes at Willow Lodge, Bubwith and Oak House, Tickhill.
Prior to joining Puddle Ducks, I was a driving instructor, however swimming has always been a big part of my life and I have taught children to swim for most of my adult life.
Apart from loving being in the water and swimming in general, the best bit is seeing the enjoyment children get out of swimming, as well as learning a valuable life skill. There is no better job satisfaction than seeing a child who may be nervous in the water, progress to swimming independently.
I am a mum of two boys aged 1 and 3, so pretty much all of my time is spent with them. I love to go to new places and do lots of activities with them. I've always loved to swim, including swimming competitively in open water, so working for Puddle Ducks is my perfect job!
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Lauren Rice
Teacher
I joined Puddle Ducks in 2015 and I teach Baby & Pre-school and Swim Academy classes.
Before becoming a swimming teacher, I took my eldest child to swimming lessons and loved it. I decided to train up and haven't looked back since! My favourite part of the job is meeting all the lovely children and building and creating a trusted relationship with them. There is nothing more special than having a child join you as a Floatie and seeing them progress to achieving their 5m in Dippers! It's definitely the best job in the world.
I have two children and one puppy. If i'm not in the pool we are outdoors with our wellies on jumping in puddles! (So always wet somehow!)
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Sally Hopkinson
Teacher
I joined Puddle Ducks in 2017 and am delighted to now teach at Signhills Academy.
Prior to this, I was a Primary School Teacher. Now I am doing a combination of everything I love - swimming, teaching and babies!
I have three children and a dog...so I don't have a lot of time for hobbies anymore! I met my husband (who is from Hull) in Venezuela and then moved to Hull from Suffolk when we got married in 2009.
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Gemma Andrew
Poolside Assistant
I joined Puddle Ducks in September 2018 as a Poolside Assistant at Coppice School and Heatherwood School, which I do alongside my other work as a Support Worker.
The best bit of my job is watching the children progress and enjoying themselves. Swimming is also a hobby of mine, as well as going to the gym and eating nice food.
Outside of work I have a daughter and also a dog called Roxy, who is totally crazy!
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Gill Dove
Poolside Assistant
I joined Puddle Ducks in September 2018 and work as Poolside Assistant at Marshchapel and Signhills.
Prior to this I worked in fashion and clothing design from leaving university at 21, so quite a change! The best thing about it is that it doesn't feel like a job, it's so much fun.
We have just moved back to the Cleethorpes area where I grew up, to give my young children a more outdoor lifestyle. Having been a keen swimmer as a child/teenager it is great to come back to something which gave me so much pleasure as a youngster.
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Emma Vessey
Poolside Assistant
I joined the Puddle Ducks team in July 2016 as Poolside Assistant at John Whitgift Academy.
Prior to this I worked as an Early Years Practitioner. The best bit about my job is seeing how the children progress and their smiles!
I have two girls of my own, aged 12 and 9, plus one dog. I love to read and spend time with my family.
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Cherish Newham
Poolside Assistant
I joined Puddle Ducks in April 2018 and work as Poolside Assistant at Oak House pool in Tickhill.
I have always worked in retail and customer service but Puddle Ducks is by far the best job I have ever had. It's so personal and rewarding!
I love watching children grow and learn each week, whilst having fun. It's brilliant building a rapport with parents and children, plus I love seeing different techniques learnt each week.
As a mummy of three I am constantly on the go! We love a trip to the Wildlife Park when we aren't taking part in the children's hobbies. When it finally gets round to 'me' time, I love nothing more than relaxing in front of the TV with a good film.
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Ellie Priestley
Poolside Assistant
I joined Puddle Ducks as Poolside Assistant at Heatherwood School and Aegir Academy in January 2018. I do this alongside my college studies, where I am studying sport, science, health and social in order to be a physiotherapist.
The best part of the job for me is watching children from new born, progress to being confident swimmers.
I love swimming. I have swum all my life and I think it is a vital skills for all children to have. I have three dogs and five tortoises!
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Carol Dawson
Poolside Assistant
I joined Puddle Ducks Doncaster as Poolside Assistant at Willow Lodge in Bubwith in June 2018.
Prior to this I was a Deputy Manager at a local pre-school, so i've lots of experience working with children. I am mum to two girls aged four and two.
The best bit of my job is watching the children become confident in the water.
