Local baby and child swim school Puddle Ducks Chelmsford and North East London are celebrating the success of two of their team members after they were highlighted as stand out stars in their recent Star Teacher and Star Team Member awards.
Maria Gray and Jaydn Field were chosen due to their dedication and passion for their roles, teaching babies and children across the region to swim.
The Star Teacher and Star Team Member awards are presented to inspirational individuals who excel in their performance as swim teachers and team members and who receive glowing reviews from the children they teach and their parents.
Jaydn from Ilford, joined Puddle Ducks in April 2023 whilst studying at college. Alongside her studies, Jadyn works as a Poolside Assistant in Ilford at Caterham High School where she was nominated by Melehia, a parent whose son enjoys swimming lessons at the venue.
Melehia commented: “Jadyn is honestly so lovely, every week she is smiling and happy. Last week my son was having a meltdown before class, and Jadyn actually took him in her arms and walked him around the pool to calm him down, which honestly helped me so much, as it gave me 5 minutes to breathe (toddler tantrums are the worst!)”.
Melehia continued: “Puddle Ducks are lucky to have her, I really appreciated how she helped me that day as I was having a bad day and so was my son.”
Jaydn was chosen as the winner of the Star Team Member award by Chris Cummings, CEO at Wellbeing at Work World, who commented: “I chose Jaydn as the winner simply because the nomination really demonstrates Puddle Ducks’ caring ethos. Jaydn’s instinctive support was so appreciated by a mum on a particularly trying day, highlighting how Puddle Ducks provide more than just swimming lessons, they really do care.”
Maria Gray, owner and teacher at Puddle Ducks Chelmsford and North East London was named as the swim school’s Star Teacher having been nominated by Nina, whose son Razvan swims with Maria. She commented: “I want from the bottom of my heart to give sincere thanks to Maria. She is full of patience, unconditional love and professionalism! My child doesn’t have the easiest behaviour and is very energetic, but thanks to Maria, he receives a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. You can clearly see the work put in and the efforts made for the children. I’m so glad to be part of this community”.
Again, the winner was chosen by Chris from Wellbeing at Work World who said: “I’m really taken by Nina’s heartfelt statement about Maria, the enthusiasm that carries over from her words, shows just how much her teacher and Puddle Ducks means to both her and her little boy.”
Commenting on her award win and that of her Poolside Assistant Jaydn, Maria commented: “I am incredibly proud to have won this award, I have been a keen swimmer all my life and now get to do it as my job, it’s so rewarding to be able to teach children such an important life skill”.
Maria continued: “I am also so very proud of Jaydn for winning the Star Team Member award for the wonderful work she does as one of our Poolside Assistants. She’s so dedicated and has an amazing connection to the families she works with, we’re so happy she’s part of our team!”.
Puddle Ducks provides award winning swimming classes for children from birth to 10 years old. Teachers focus on creating a nurturing environment, which supports independent swimming for children of all abilities.
If you want to know more about Puddle Ducks Chelmsford and North East London, please call 01245 981000 or visit https://www.puddleducks.com/local-teams/chelmsford-north-east-london
