Puddle Ducks Baby Swimming Lesson Review

AD

A few week's ago I was contacted by the lovely people from Puddle Ducks Newcastle to ask if my 12-month-old daughter Sophia would like to attend a free trial lesson at one of there baby swimming classes. We had tried taking her swimming at the local leisure centre a few times in the past but she just cried and did not enjoy it.  However I had a look on the Puddle Ducks website which you can view here and I was impressed by what I read, as they have lot's of classes for different age's and ability's and tons of good reviews. 

We were impressed that they offer classes in various locations throughout the North East on different days and times. Not only do they do baby swimming lessons they also do aqua natal classes for pregnant women and lessons for older children too. Puddle Ducks also have classes all over the country not just in the North East. We were giving the choice of various locations and classes to choose from and we opted to attend the class at Woodlawn school which is in Monkseaton Tyne and Wear, as this was close to where we live and was at a time that suited us (1pm on a Sunday) it was a splashers lesson aimed at little ones aged 6-15 months old. 

We arrived at the venue and there were male and female changing rooms and playpens in the changing rooms so you could put baby somewhere safe while you got changed.  They had lots of benches so you could easily get baby changed too. Sophia's daddy was taken her in the pool as I am 6 months pregnant, but other family members are free to watch from the benches at the side of the pool. The class sizes were fairly small with only five babies in the class and a mix of mams, dads and grandparent's in the water with the children. 

At the start of the lesson, you pass your baby to the poolside helper while you get into the pool and then baby gets passed to you which is great if you are attending the lessons on your own with baby. The swimming instructor Julie was really friendly and great with the little ones in the lesson, she explained that they treat each child individually and only do what that child is comfortable to do, which I think is great. Sophia seemed happy in the water and she didn't cry to get out which we were amazed at, she was happy and splashing her arms around. I think this was due to the water being warm like a bath and it being quiet compared to a noisy, busy leisure centre pool. 

The lesson started off with some nursery rhyme songs, blowing bubbles and splashing in the water which she loved. Then she was getting dunked in the water, jumping off floats on the side of the pool into her dad's arms (with help of course ) and paddling around the pool with a float chasing a rubber duck. Everything was explained and demonstrated clearly by the instructor and they only did things that they knew the children would be comfortable with, there was lots of fun activity's and songs throughout to keep their attention.

The lesson lasted 30 minutes and it flew over, Sophia really enjoyed it as did the other little ones in the class. Not one child cried, they all looked happy, smiling and laughing. When the lesson ended the staff once again helped parents out of the pool with the babies. 

The lessons cost around £13 per half hour lesson but I defiantly think that they are worth it. Sophia loved it and her dad loved it too. The lessons teach little ones to be confident in the water and have fun at the same time. We have already enquired about booking Sophia onto some lessons as we would love her to return. I would highly recommend these lessons to anyone who wants to take there baby swimming, the lessons are fun and aimed at your own child's ability's. They are also a great way to spend some quality time with your child whilst getting your child used to swimming.

* Disclosure: we were invited to attend this swimming lesson for free by Puddle Ducks North East, however, all opinions are my own.