Turtle Tots Exeter and Devon
Hello and Welcome to Turtle Tots Exeter & Devon.
Founded in 2013 by Claire, we having been running our Baby and Toddler swimming classes and aqua natal yoga sessions all across Devon for 7 years. First joining Claire in 2014 as a teacher, Rebecca then went on to become Business Manager and now runs and co-owns the school. Claire has now returned to her role in medicine.
We both passionately believe that swimming is something all children should be able to do from a young age. Prior to running Turtle Tots, Claire a GP and Rebecca who worked with children both in dance and Early Years education, both of us understand and encourage the importance of offering little people a healthy and active start to life. Not only is swimming a vital, potentially life saving skill, it also offers a huge number of benefits both physical and emotional to young children. It is also incredibly important to us that we offer families the chance to have their babies learn to be safe and confident around water when living near the coasts of Devon. Not only are our sessions incredibly beneficial to the children but we love that we have witnessed the forming of friendships between families. Turtle Tots sessions are the perfect place for grown ups to meet new friends not just for baby but Mums and Dads too.
We are very proud to say that our dedicated team of teachers are all trained to the highest level to ensure that all of the skills and techniques we’re using in the pool are based on the latest research to provide your baby with the best possible start in the water. Our teachers are tuned into the way that your baby communicates at these early years of life to make sure we work at their pace and do the things they are happy to do. This is hugely important to us and will help to develop your baby’s life long love of the water.
Our programme offers a wonderful child led approach having been written using the latest research and understanding into children’s development. Learning in a fun filled, supportive and caring environment allows each child to progress at their own pace, whilst experiencing special bonding time with their carer. We are very proud to have an amazing team of teachers all very highly trained, and experienced and passionate about ensuring you and your child have a wonderful experience in the pool together. We teach babies from birth until their pre school years and you are welcome to join us at any stage. It’s never too late to get into the pool and learn to swim.
We are very proud that we make regular donations to local charities. In Exeter we support two charities with a percentage of our fees being donated to them. Balloons, who do fantastic work providing bereavement support to children and young people and The Exeter Baby Bank which provides essential items for families in need. We also make one off occasion donations supporting other local charitable causes.
We have five baby levels and up to eight toddler levels of progression. Classes run across seven days of the week and in the mornings and late afternoon/evening. We have venues stretching across each Devon coastline meeting in the middle with multiple venues in Exeter. In the 8 years we have been evolving Turtle Tots Exeter & Devon, we have met many wonderful little people and their grown ups and we hope that we will hear from and meet you soon as well. Or maybe your little one hasn’t arrived yet and we look forward to seeig you at our Aquanatal Turtle Tums. Please visit our timetable and pools for more information or get in touch via our enquiry form, email or social platforms. Rebecca, Charlie, Jemma, Natalie & Sammy look forward to welcoming you soon. x
Rebecca Burdus
Director & Teacher
Trained in Turtle Tots Baby & Toddler, Turtle Tums Aqua Natal Yoga, Level 3 Diploma in Aquatic Teaching, Baby & Pre School and Safety Award with the STA, Rebecca has always loved the water and loves nothing more then sharing that with our families.
Claire Thomas
Founder & Director
Trained in Turtle Tots Baby & Toddler, Turtle Tums Aqua Natal Yoga, Level 3 Diploma in Aquatic Teaching, Baby & Pre School and Safety Award with the STA. Claire believes passionately in the importance of learning to swim from a young age.
Jemma
Teacher
Jemma joined our team after coming along to our Turtle Tums then Tots with her little girl Maisie, now 3 and Florence 6months. Jemma also teaches in a primary school and has a vast range of experience and skills teaching little people.
Rachel
Teacher
Rachel has been teaching swimming for many years and brought her expert knowledge to our TT team in 2019. Mum to her little one, Rachel also works in a children's nursery, so has a huge amount of experience working with chuldren and families both in and out the water. She is currently on maternity, expecting her second baby.
Charlie
Heard
Based in our North Devon area, Charlie joined us in 2018. Mum to James, 4, Charlie is loved by all her Turtles, Tots & their grown ups. She is full of creativity and imagination.
Sammy
Moody
Sammy was born to be in the water. Teaching swimming for many years, Sammy joined us in 2016 after having taught Claire's children. Sammy is also Mum to Albie, who is a Turtle Tots too!
Natalie
Willers
Natalie began Turtle Tots with her daughter Indi in 2014. She soon joined our teaching team. Natalie is Mum to Indi, Owen & Sennen and loves her TT job. It's a bit different to her other role for the NHS.
Ready to start swimming?
Find swimming lessons unique as your little one. Bring on the smiles!