Puddle Ducks Reviews 

161
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.5

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 46 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the dedicated and friendly staff, who are described as patient, attentive, and highly skilled in fostering children's confidence in the water. Many people highlight the well-structured and fun lessons, which are tailored to each child's stage, making the overall experience enjoyable and stress-free for families. Reviewers also appreciate the flexibility and accommodating nature of the service, allowing for easy rebooking and support for individual needs. However, some customers also noted concerns regarding the facilities, specifically mentioning small changing areas with limited space or a lack of baby changing amenities. Additionally, a few other people felt that some instructors were occasionally forceful or that communication from staff could be robotic and inattentive.

What people talk about most

Staff

Users describe positive interactions with staff, highlighting the teachers' engaging, patient, and skilled... See more

User experience

Customers consistently note positive experiences with user experience, highlighting that lessons are... See more

Service

People report positive experiences with the service, with many reviewers expressing satisfaction with the... See more

Facilities

Consumers find facilities to be ambiguous, with many praising the clean, warm, and purpose-built pools and... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We’ve had such a great experience with Puddle Ducks. The admin girls are absolutely brilliant – always so helpful and quick to reply to any questions or changes. It makes organising lessons so easy a... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I've taken my son to swimming lessons since he was just weeks old, and, due to moving, have tried several providers. Puddle Ducks is far and away my favourite - the lessons push children without remov... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

My daughter has been with Puddleducks since she was 10 weeks old and we’ve both loved our swimming journey. She is now 3 and her water confidence and swimming ability is amazing! The teachers are fant... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We’ve been with Puddle Ducks for about a year now and can’t be happier. The Ham pool coach is fantastic - inspiring, supporting and skillful and thorough at the same time; he develops a special bond w... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Swimming School
  2. Baby Swimming School
  3. Class

Written by the company

Our highly trained and fully qualified teachers offer baby and toddler swimming lessons that will teach your child to love the water and swim beautifully.


Contact info

4.5

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

161 reviews

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No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 50% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 24 hours

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4.5

All reviews

(161)

47 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Puddleducks wonderful teachers

This is a joint vote for Laura and Abby who run the Level 1 swim academy lesson on a Wednesday night at Stonar! They are both wonderful with all of the children in their group, regardless of the children’s ability or character. They are kind and caring and allow time for each child to develop their individual swimming targets. They work so well as a team and make it look so easy teaching children in the water! Thank you both, Isla talks about you both so fondly!

9 October 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review! We will be sure to pass it on to Laura and Abby :-)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Can’t recommend them enough

Can’t recommend them enough, my child has gone from not being confident to knowing how to swim

1 October 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thanks so much for taking the time to review your lessons! To hear your little one's confidence has increased is wonderful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful classes

Vikki is so passionate about teaching and she has made us feel so comfortable with taking Katie swimming. We can already see an improvement in Katie's swimming. She's also just a super friendly person who we genuinely enjoy talking to after lessons too! Her swimming lessons are the highlight of our week. To be honest we signed up for a free trial and planned to only to do that, but Vikki's enthusiasm has meant we have stayed on!

7 October 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you so much for your lovely review and for taking the time, we really appreciate it! We hope Katie keeps on enjoying her swimming! Ruth

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great water confidence for babies

We've been swimming with Puddle ducks in Derby for the last 4 months, since my daughter was 2 months old. She loves it. At 2 months she was very colicy and cried at pretty much everything except her swimming lessons. And we always get a good long nap afterwards. Our teacher Lou is fantastic, it's the highlight of my daughter's week.
The online login is great for managing classes and the ability to cancel a class due to holidays or illness and book a courtesy class is great.

30 September 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thanks so much for your review - you've made our day for taking the time to do this and we will make sure it is passed onto Lou and the Derbyshire team - Duck HQ

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Quality teaching with great results!

We've been to other swimming groups and the quality of the teaching has not been as good as puddleducks. Very pleased with the progress my little one has made in a short space of time.

22 July 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you so much for your review Caroline, we really appreciate you taking the time and we hope your little one keeps loving her swimming journey! Duck HQ.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Vague terms and conditions

I have no complaints about the lessons, the facilities are good and staff are nice – however Puddle Ducks set you up on a recurring payment plan without your agreement.

I block booked 10 lessons and paid for this in advance, upon doing so received an email which states “Subsequently we take monthly payments” – considering the agreement was to purchase 10 lessons only, the above sentence is assumed to be based on IF I want / agree to further classes. The less vague wording of this is within a hyperlink on the email – “All customers are automatically signed up to Monthly Payments”.
Who really expects to have to delve into this level of detail when you’ve followed the route of buying a set amount of lessons, sending a hyperlink in an email does not mean I agree to something.

If you miss a class and want to rebook you have to be on a recurring payment schedule, leaving a very small windows of opportunity to do this if you don’t intend on being a long term customer.

Why do kids swimming lessons have to have such strange tactics…

4 September 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Swimming lessons in Middlesbrough

My little one has been swimming with Puddle Ducks since she was 3 months. Now nearly 12 months her confidence in and her love for the water is amazing! She loves her weekly classes.
Lovely, knowledgeable instructors. Classes adapted to little ones needs.
Would definitely recommend.

16 August 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you! We appreciate you taking the time and we’re so happy to read you have had a great Puddle Ducks experience :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

6 months of lessons

My son has been in puddle ducks since he turned 2. I was worried I had left it to late to get his use to the pool and being around water safely. With his teacher Anne’s guidance and friendly approach he’s a confident boy in the water and knows how to safely enter and exit the water, holding onto the side and not letting go. He loves going to his puddle duck lessons and is so excited when we pull up outside. All within 6 months of lessons I feel confident taking him to a swimming pool on my own.

10 August 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you Holly! We appreciate you taking the time and we’re so happy to read you have had a great Puddle Ducks experience :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great Swimming Lessons in Northwich

Been taking my son to Puddleducks then Swim Academy at Baron's Quay in Northwich for 9 months now and it's been brilliant for him. I really like their approach to learning to swim (no body-worn buoyancy aids) and all the teachers we've met are friendly and firm. The private facility they have at Baron's Quay is exceptional - always clean and tidy, even if the changing rooms are very warm (perfect if you have a baby but less welcome when you're a middle-aged woman!)

14 August 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you! We appreciate you taking the time and we’re so happy to read you have had a great Puddle Ducks experience :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Best teachers!

The teachers are really kind and patient with parents and kids 👌👌

13 August 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you! We appreciate you taking the time and we’re so happy to read you have had a great Puddle Ducks experience :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing teachers!

Teddy has been attending Puddle ducks in Gee Cross since he was 12 months. He is now 20 months and his confidence in the water is amazing to see! Jo and Nicole have been amazing Teachers and Teddy is always so happy to see them!
I feel better knowing that Teddy is learning skills that could one day be life saving in the water.
I wouldn't take him anywhere else!

1 August 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you Sherridan! We appreciate you taking the time and we’re so happy to read you have had a great Puddle Ducks experience :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Thanks puddle ducks for everything

We have had the best experience with puddle ducks. I enrolled my little boy after covid when he was 5 months old. He is now almost 4 and has an abundance of confidence in the water. Every lesson, you and your little one are taught little sayings, words, phrases and then it all comes together and you just watch them flourish! Even things like turning to climb into the water using "turn, turn, turn" we implemented into our daily lives too. We had Mark from a young age and he was brilliant. Always a smile on his face and so great with the kids! We have had Nicky for our lessons in ormskirk for most of the time. Wow, what a instructor. Henry can now swim with his face under the water for 7 seconds, coming up to take breaths and diving down for objects. It makes me so unbelievably happy to see. We have unfortunately had to move from puddle ducks as Henry moved up a skill set and the times and days no longer suited us. I will be sad to leave puddle ducks and I thank you for everything you have done to help us in the water.

6 August 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you for such a lovely review - we are so grateful to you for taking the time to write about your experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We Love Puddle Ducks

We’ve been part of the PD family for over 6 years. My youngest daughter started at 8 weeks and my eldest joined swim academy at age 4. Both girls have loved every minute of their lessons and have now become confident swimmers that are safe in the water. This was all I wanted- I wouldn’t want them to have lessons anywhere else. What I didn’t expect was that I would end up training to be a Puddle Ducks baby and pre-school teacher myself. My happy place is in the water I loved being able to support other families build the confidence that my own children were developing. Helen has been a consistent part of our journey as swimmers and for me as a teacher, she’s ha d lovely relationship with both girls and our whole family- we’ll miss her! We’ve been lucky to build bonds with a number of teachers and awesome poolside assistants, big love to Liz, Verity, Nic, Louise, Abby, and Laila. Special thanks to Faye and the back office team, Lindsey and Jo for making everything run smoothly!

25 July 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you for such a lovely review - we are so grateful to you for taking the time to write about your experience. Amazing that you joined our wonderful team!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

We have had a fantastic experience with Puddle Ducks for our first daughters swimming lessons. Friendly, well-trained and informative staff. Overall a very enjoyable experience :)

5 July 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you for such a lovely review - we are so grateful to you for taking the time to write about your experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We have loved our time at Puddle Ducks

We have loved our time at Puddle Ducks. Fantastic lessons and my little boy is always excited for swimming.

8 July 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you so much - we are so grateful to you for taking the time to write about your experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Puddle ducks classes are fun and full of information

Puddle ducks classes are fun, interactive and a positive place to learn an essential new skill. Each class has its benefits, from tiny babys in floaties, all the way up to older children. Rebecca is a warm and welcoming teacher who helps both you and your little one to become more confident in the pool. I am so happy that we found her classes as we really do get great value for our money. The balance of learning new skills, understanding why we are learning certain techniques and time for safe play, really makes for an excellent session each time

6 June 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you for such a lovely review - we are so grateful to you for taking the time to write about your experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We swim with Puddle Ducks Chester

We swim with Puddle Ducks Chester, Wirral & North Wales with all three of our toddlers, ages 4, 2 & 1.
We LOVE our time with each of the boys in their lessons. It's so lovely to see the progression of each as an indiviudal and watch the sessions adapt to their abilities. Our eldest has had a long journey of struggling to submerge, with a child-led approach I have felt so comfortable with him leading the way. He's now in the first steps of enjoying to swim under the water - a day I never thought would happen! Whilst my youngest practically lives under the water and wants to jump in constantly! The perfect lessons for our tribe. Thank you team Puddle Ducks

15 June 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you for such a lovely review - we are so grateful to you for taking the time to write about your experience. We will make sure the Chester team read this!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Both our girls love Puddle Ducks

Both our girls love Puddle Ducks and we are so glad we chose them for our swimming lessons. We are in the Wakefield, Barnsley, Sheffield & South Leeds branch.
In total we have been swimming with puddle ducks since 2020, and now with one in Little Dippers and one at Swim Academy we love the service and set up. The lessons have given them both such confidence and ability in water, it makes swimming on holidays so much more relaxing to know your children are safe!
The teachers are all lovely and so good with the kids, for us the main thing with the lessons is they listen to your kids and adapt for their ability and stage. No dunking!! If your child doesn't want to put their face in the water then they don't have to, this is not the case at lots of swimming lessons.
The courtesy classes are also great, considering the number of child classes where you miss a lesson and you lose that money. Here you have a courtesy class to use at any other venue (subject to space). The management staff are so lovely and helpful as well when we have had any issues or queries, they have sorted it for us really quickly.
We all love puddle ducks and recommend them to all our friends.

2 May 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you for such a lovely review - we are so grateful to you for taking the time to write about your experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Splashing Time!

Uhtred has a splashing time at Little Dippers with Emma! He has come on leaps and bounds through his lessons at Puddle Ducks Wakefield, Barnsley, Sheffield and South Leeds.

13 June 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you - we are so grateful to you for taking the time to write about your experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great Experience

We have been swimming with Puddleducks (Wakefield Franchise) since my daughter was 6 months old, she’s now 10 years old!! ALL the teachers over the years have been AMAZING. They have taught her to be safe & confident in and around the water, alongside teaching her excellent technique in Swim Academy and how important this is. Throughout the whole programme, my daughter has always enjoyed her lessons and really looked forward to getting into the water, as they make the teaching fun and interesting.
Thanks to Puddleducks she has been given confidence within the water and continues her swimming journey at the fantastic new pool in Huddersfield, BigBox. Thank you to everyone at PD!

12 June 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Puddle Ducks

Thank you for such a lovely review - we are so grateful to you for taking the time to write about your experience.

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