A Nantwich businesswoman who launched Water Babies to help young swimmers in South Cheshire, is celebrating 10 years in business.
And Anna Bates has marked the 10-year anniversary with a special underwater photoshoot – and a new office in Nantwich town centre.
Water Babies, part of the UK’s franchise network, launched its first classes in May 2007.
Since then, they have taught thousands of babies and toddlers in professional classes.
Anna, originally from Wistaston, who started the franchise in Cheshire and Staffordshire after the birth of her first son, still runs the classes locally.
“It was hard work,” she says.
“Baby swimming was a relatively unknown concept 10 years ago.
“However, our clients have always loved the classes and so word of mouth has helped us to grow to where we are today.
“The original 99 clients a week has now turned into 950 babies a week – a fantastic achievement for my team, and of course I am really very proud of everyone involved.
“Running my business has been a wonderful and rewarding experience.
“We’ve not only hugely increased the number of babies we teach on a weekly basis, but also the number of pool locations and swimming teachers.
“I’m so proud not only to pass on such a vital and amazing skill to little ones, but also to employ so many fantastic people and help them to enjoy a great work life balance.”
Anna invited eight of her original clients for a special underwater photoshoot at Total Fitness in Crewe.
“The pictures look brilliant, and it was clear to see how much everyone still loves the water 10 years on!
“The parents tell me they still look back on the classes with very fond memories.”
Water Babies courses teach swimming using word association, movement, games and songs.
“Swimming with your baby is a great way to relax and have fun together away from the stress of everyday life.
“The whole team understands how important this special time together is, which is why we always focus on pupils’ strengths and successes so the lessons are really positive.
“Water provides the perfect exercise as it allows even the smallest baby to move freely without constraint.
“We are the only baby swim school in the world to have a qualification written specifically for us, recognising the huge amount of training our instructors go through before they teach.
“One of the best things about our work is knowing that teaching a child basic water safety and confidence in the water could save their life.
“We teach life survival skills to babies very early on, getting them used to floating on their backs or, following a sudden submersion, swimming to the nearest solid object.
“Introduction to water at such a young age means that, should an accident happen a young child will feel confident enough to attempt to save themselves.”
Anna’s new office is based in Churchyardside in Nantwich.
Water Babies teach babies from 0 – 4 years.
For details contact Anna and her team on 01270 611 111 or visit www.waterbabies.co.uk
(Pic: Jack Bates, Henry Bates, Harvey Chaimberlain, Poppy Greenhough, Phillipa Greybrook, Laya Woolrich, Huw Sweet-Smith, and Lucy Wakefield, some of Anna’s original water babies 10 years ago)
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