Project Aims

This 2 year project champions early years music for children aged 0-5 by developing the workforce in depth (supporting 20 early years practitioners and professional musicians across the 2 years) and breadth (training, peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange).  The project will culminate in an early years symposium in 2025.

This project has been made possible with funding from Youth Music, Children in Need, Leicester City Council Early Help and Leicestershire Music Hub.

Space and support for creative exploration

The project supports 5 partnerships each year (working with 5 musicians and 5 early years practitioners), supporting them to develop their knowledge and understanding of early childhood music making through a programme of training, mentoring and experimentation. The project allows time for each partnership to explore and play with sound and music, working with children and families each week over a period of up to 15 weeks.

Year 1: 2023 – 24

We have worked with the following settings and artists over the last year:-

• Maisy Neale and Little Peepul Nursery
• Richard Stone and New Parks Children’s Centre
• Beth Hartshorne and Beaumont Leys Children’s Centre
• Robin Grace and Mowmacre Hill Primary School
• Simon Lubkowski and Thringstone Primary School

Year 2: 2024 – 25

We are currently recruiting musicians and settings for the final year of this exciting project.

Please contact Hazel Townsend if you are interested in getting involved – hazel@thesparkarts.co.uk.