Puddle Ducks

Puddle Ducks is all about nurturing water confidence through listening to the individual needs of each child, ensuring that the experience is positive and fun. Submersions (going underwater) is an important step in learning to swim, but at Puddle Ducks we NEVER force submersions. It is incredibly important to us to build up confidence with learning signals and taking small steps first, then when we feel baby is ready we will only ever submerge them when they 'signal' back that they are ready. We never submerge a baby who is unhappy, instead gently offering an alternative until they are relaxed enough to take that next big step. This element of our programme was developed with Birthlight and the STA on the best and safest way to submerge children so that they feel empowered and never forced. The answer is simple; the child decides.

By using buoyancy aids that aren’t fixed to the body, your child can understand their natural buoyancy in the water. This is so important, not only for learning to swim independently, but also plays such an important part of those personal survival skills. Floats are perfect for every stage of our Baby & Pre-school programme, right up to the point where your little one let’s go and swims independently for the first time!

There are so many reasons why little ones thrive in our classes. From our warm pools, the use of music and rhymes and the wonderful bonding opportunities with their grown up. Find your nearest class today by clicking the link in our bio.

The bonding experience swimming with your little one brings is second-to-none! There is lots of eye contact and skin-to-skin, strengthening the wonderful bond between parent and child. Both you and your baby will have great fun swimming, it’s a wonderful time for you and your baby to relax together whilst learning one of the most important life skills there is.

A deep dive into Puddle Ducks class levels!
Little Dippers is the last level where children can enter directly. We take children between 30 months old and four years old and no previous swimming experience is necessary. Because of the way our teachers are trained to support children of all abilities, in Little Dippers we can accommodate those who are new to swimming as well as those who have worked their way through the Puddle Ducks programme. Little Dippers is the first level where we introduce criteria, visible in your online account, where you can see what your little one is excelling at and where they might need some additional support. Those Little Dippers who fulfil the criteria before their 4th birthday are moved up to our Dippers class, a class for our more capable and confident little ones. Little Dippers is full of new skills to learn; back swimming, exhaling in the water, independently pushing from the wall, head down and swimming to adult, reaching under water for a sinking ring…the list goes on! Children are still supported in every way they need, physically and emotionally (a parent or guardian is in the water with them), and only moved forward at their own pace and when they tell us they are ready.

A deep dive into Puddle Ducks class levels!
Whilst in our Kickers class, children’s communication skills come into their own. Language and responding to key words, counting and listening all play a part in this level of the programme. We use two short woggles to help them move around without adult support (which often ends in the parent chasing them around the pool). Many of the Learning Outcomes are directly linked to personal survival and this is a key element of the programme, including partaking in our PJ week, three times a year, where the children learn how it feels to be in the water with clothes on. They can stay in our Kickers programme until they are 30 months, for those children who have consistently shown aptitude and confidence in the water, we progress them to our Little Dippers class from as early as 24 months.

A deep dive into Puddle Ducks class levels!
Babies have a natural affinity with the water and our Floaties programme gently nurtures this, building confidence, both in the child and often the parent. Our programme allows our babies, even at this early age, to make choices about how and when they put their faces in the water and is a bonding experience like no other. Some of our Floaties are ready to move to Splashers at 6 months depending on levels of strength and co-ordination but we can keep progressing them in Floaties until they are 9 months. The Splashers class is full of action, toys and songs – and of course lots of ducks! The progression in this level is visible for all to see, with the littlest ones learning from their peers as well as their parents and our wonderful teachers. Watching a baby that can’t yet walk, initiate their own head down swim is a pretty special thing…

Your child, no matter how young or how new to swimming they are, will never wear armbands in a Puddle Ducks lesson. We want to teach your child to swim independently and how to be safe in the water. We teach our Puddle Ducks to swim beautifully. Technique is ingrained at every level and wearing armbands hinders this.

The joy of being a toddler and enjoying a morning swim with friends! With our classes, swimming becomes a social event in your child’s life. The perfect place to make friends (even for grown-ups!) and enjoy learning together. Sign up for a free trial today 💦

https://www.puddleducks.com/families-free-trial

Here at Puddle Ducks we want the most enjoyable experience for our little swimmers. We have minimum requirements for the temperature of our pools to ensure even the smallest of babies feels warm and comfortable. Our classes also incorporate rhyme, music and movement based on extensive child development research, find your nearest class by clicking the link below:

https://www.puddleducks.com/

Our lessons are so well-received that the children we teach can often swim over 10m before they start school. Our teachers are especially trained to identify your little one’s own stage of development and confidence. They will then tailor the activities to suit your child, ensuring that they are happy, developing at their own pace and gaining confidence. Well done little swimmers!

Let's Go Further! 💦

This back to school season join us as we explore the heart of our Swim Academy with Mel, one of our amazing teachers! In our final segment, Mel focuses on the skills your little one will develop in Swim Academy. At Swim Academy, we're passionate about seeing your little ones achieve their milestones and distance swims!

Let's Get Skillful! 💦

This back to school season join us as we explore the heart of our Swim Academy with Mel, one of our amazing teachers! In our next segment, Mel focuses on the skills your little one will develop in Swim Academy. At Swim Academy, we're passionate about creating a supportive and encouraging atmosphere where every child can learn and improve the fundamental swimming skills.

Let's Build Confidence! 💦

This back to school season join us as we explore the heart of our Swim Academy with Mel, one of our amazing teachers! In our next segment, Mel shines a light on the joy of nurturing confidence. At Swim Academy, we're proud to have a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere where each child can develop and succeed. No matter where they begin, we promise a journey full of smiles and successes with courses tailored to their unique speed and preferences!