Water Babies set to make a splash in China
Devon-based company Water Babies is making one of the UK’s most unusual exports to China a reality in the coming months.
The Honiton company, which beat MacDonald’s to the title of British Fanchisor of the Year in 2016, has already successfully introduced its world-leading baby swimming school into markets as diverse as Ireland, Canada, The Netherlands, New Zealand and Germany later this year.
Nine Chinese business professionals from Shenzhen have just arrived in the UK, to swap their suits for swimsuits, as they learn how to teach babies right from birth through to four years how to swim.
The Master Franchisor team from the People’s Republic of China have taken the plunge at a pool in Newark, Nottinghamshire. Under the watchful eye of professional trainers, they’ll practise with life-sized dolls, learning all the practical elements of baby swimming. There’s also lots of theory to take in as well, but by the time they return to China, they’ll be fully qualified as baby swimming teachers.
According to the newly appointed PRC country franchisor, many Chinese parents want to give their babies and toddlers the very best possible start in life. Baby swimming provides a safe and focussed activity in the pool, promoting good habits around exercise generally and helping in the fight against childhood obesity, a worldwide epidemic also starting to impact on China.
Managing Director, Kevin Zhang said: "There is a huge appetite in China for families to embark on this unique journey, helping their babies to learn how to swim. Most importantly, parents will be helping their babies and toddlers learn a life-saving skill. Just like here in the UK, our classes will give thousands the chance to develop their babies, physically and mentally; mums and dads will also be able to enjoy some special bonding time with their children along the way.”
Paul Thompson, Director of Water Babies International said: “This represents a massive milestone for everyone at Water Babies. We’re delighted to welcome our new Chinese colleagues here at the Academy and foresee many such visits in the years to come. This is not just a one-way process, as we also get to learn a huge amount from our new international partners, not just in business but culturally too. Not many other British brands from our industry have even attempted what we are doing, let alone succeeded. This represents a really exciting time for the whole of the Water Babies family and our international growth, especially in a market as big as China!”
The baby swimming course is fully accredited by the Amateur Swimming Association and meets the highest standards, as endorsed by the BSI. On their return to the PRC in May, the latest Water Babies franchisor will be importing the highest possible standards in baby swimming, ahead of launching their own classes across the world’s largest market from the Autumn onwards.
