Meet the Team
We take great pride in making sure that the whole team (including ourselves) are trained, that any user of our pools are safe, and best of all, that we can teach classes for any age from birth to 7 years.
All teachers have received either the STA, or ASA, teacher training qualifications. All new teachers receive practical Teacher Training with David (CoFounder Director) before teaching their own classes. This helps to ensure that, if it is possible, parents and children can spend time with their 'new' teacher first, that teachers understand the Baba Seahorse ethos to a structured and flexible approach to running classes, and that we can provide additional advise to parents when required.
We all attend regular Team Meetings (Pool Health & Safety Training, New Games, New Ideas, Customer Feedback); we attend Pool Safety Lifeguard / Emergency training; all certificates are kept up to date with additional training, and revalidation.
All teachers have received either the STA, or ASA, teacher training qualifications. All new teachers receive practical Teacher Training with David (CoFounder Director) before teaching their own classes. This helps to ensure that, if it is possible, parents and children can spend time with their 'new' teacher first, that teachers understand the Baba Seahorse ethos to a structured and flexible approach to running classes, and that we can provide additional advise to parents when required.
We all attend regular Team Meetings (Pool Health & Safety Training, New Games, New Ideas, Customer Feedback); we attend Pool Safety Lifeguard / Emergency training; all certificates are kept up to date with additional training, and revalidation.
David Salt MSTA and Lauraine (Lulu) West ASTA
Dave and Lulu are CoFounder Directors of Baba Seahorse and taught their first lesson in June 2005, and are now in their seventh year.
A little bit about Dave and Lulu
Dave oversees the development of the Teaching Programme and Teacher Training. He taught all lessons for the first six years with babies from birth up to around 7 years of age. He understands all the concerns you may have as a parent when taking your child swimming for the first time; the different developmental stages that your children go through; and the amazing joy when your child has their first try at an unaided swim. Dave will always demonstrate a teaching practise with a practical demonstration to the children (and parents) as can be seen here with him showing the children how to swim through a hoop!
Dave holds the STC (F) Full Teaching Swimming Certificate, the STC (B) Teaching Swimming to Beginners, Aquatic Teaching for Babies & Pre-School, Aquatic Teaching Special Needs; Baby & Pre-School Tutor, Emergency First Aid, and the NaRS Poolside Helpers National Rescue Award.
'The Office' is responsible for anything to do with your booking, payment and the planning of the term schedules. Baba Seahorse holds Public and Employer Liability Insurance, ensures that all qualifications are re-validated and current, and we adhere to The Data Protection Act to keep your personal information safe and secure.
Something you might not know about us? Lulu and Dave met in 2002 and they now live in Rural South Shropshire with their two dogs. Dave used to sing in a band and he 'composed' the Baba Seahorse 'Hello' and 'ByeBye' song that we sing at all our classes. He used to lifeguard at The Wyre Forest Glades in Kidderminster many, many years ago. Lulu (for some unknown reason) jumped in the deep end during her lesson at school when she was 6, she still remembers that feeling of sinking to the bottom and the 'teacher' pulling her to the surface. Pool Safety and Child Safety, is important to us and we try to teach the little ones to respect the water, both inside and outside the swimming pool.
Sam Tyrrell
Sam has 3 young daughters that she has taught to swim herself, and regularly swims with her children. She is passionate about the importance of learning to swim as a life saving skill, and as a great way to have fun!
Sam was introduced to Baba Seahorse by personal recommendation from parents whose two children already attend swim classes with Baba Seahorse. She joined the Baba Seahorse team during 2010 as as a poolside helper while she completed her teaching qualifications. Sam has been undergoing on-the-job teacher training at our Kidderminster pools, and is now teaching at her own classes.
Sam holds the STC (B) Teaching Certificate for Beginners, and the STA Level 2 certificae in Aquatic Teaching Baby & Pre-School. She also holds the NaRS PH (National Rescue Award Pool Helper).
Sam was introduced to Baba Seahorse by personal recommendation from parents whose two children already attend swim classes with Baba Seahorse. She joined the Baba Seahorse team during 2010 as as a poolside helper while she completed her teaching qualifications. Sam has been undergoing on-the-job teacher training at our Kidderminster pools, and is now teaching at her own classes.
Sam holds the STC (B) Teaching Certificate for Beginners, and the STA Level 2 certificae in Aquatic Teaching Baby & Pre-School. She also holds the NaRS PH (National Rescue Award Pool Helper).
Kristy Oliver
As a mom of two young boys who both learnt to swim with Baba Seahorse, Kristy has the direct experience of being a parent with Baba Seahorse for over five years leading to teaching her own classes. She knows how you feel and can offer help and advice from personal experience.
Kristy has enjoyed many water sports whilst on holiday with her husband in exotic locations before they had their two children, including snorkelling in the Maldives and riding underwater motorbikes “Bobs” in the Dominican Republic! She is therefore passionate about children learning to swim, not only for safety and water skills but also for fun and enjoyment.
Kristy is currently at University retraining, in order to pursue a teaching career, specialising in the Early Years ages 3 – 7. Having her own family experiences, from working across the Key Stages in primary schools and also by volunteering at a swimming club teaching older children, has provided her with a sound understanding of the needs and abilities of babies, toddlers and young children which she can bring to Baba Seahorse lessons.
Kristy says "I am excited to be beginning working with Baba Seahorse and meeting the parents and children at both Tettenhall and Gig Mill, Stourbridge."
Kristy has the STC (B) Teaching Certificate for Beginners, and the NaRS PH (National Rescue Award Pool Helper). She shall be undergoing her STA Level 2 Certificate in Aquatic Teaching for Baby & Pre-School over the coming months, and is studying for her STC (F) teaching certificate.
Kristy has enjoyed many water sports whilst on holiday with her husband in exotic locations before they had their two children, including snorkelling in the Maldives and riding underwater motorbikes “Bobs” in the Dominican Republic! She is therefore passionate about children learning to swim, not only for safety and water skills but also for fun and enjoyment.
Kristy is currently at University retraining, in order to pursue a teaching career, specialising in the Early Years ages 3 – 7. Having her own family experiences, from working across the Key Stages in primary schools and also by volunteering at a swimming club teaching older children, has provided her with a sound understanding of the needs and abilities of babies, toddlers and young children which she can bring to Baba Seahorse lessons.
Kristy says "I am excited to be beginning working with Baba Seahorse and meeting the parents and children at both Tettenhall and Gig Mill, Stourbridge."
Kristy has the STC (B) Teaching Certificate for Beginners, and the NaRS PH (National Rescue Award Pool Helper). She shall be undergoing her STA Level 2 Certificate in Aquatic Teaching for Baby & Pre-School over the coming months, and is studying for her STC (F) teaching certificate.