The latest National Plan for Music Education  published in 2022, recognises ‘a strong foundation of music in the early years is vital for all children’ and SoundStorm are committed to developing our support in the Early Years sector.

In 2023/2024, we were delighted to partner with Take Art and support two emerging Early Childhood Music Practitioners in the BCP area by offering them the opportunity to access professional development and develop their music practice with very young children – through training, observations and support whilst spending days alongside a mentor in early years settings, in the BCP area.

In addition to the above, the aims of the project were to develop high quality music provision within local BCP Schools/Early Years settings as well as linking with a wider network of practice and research. This project was part of a larger regional network research programme led by Take Art and funded by Youth Music. Others involved in this project included Dr Susan Young (Susan is a world-renowned writer, academic and commentator on the arts in early childhood), University of Plymouth, eight music education hubs and partner organisations, 13 other Early Years settings across the South West and their respected EYs advisory teams. The long term plan is for a shared vision and ethos of quality early childhood music practice to be established amongst all these partnerships.

The placements in Pokesdown Community Primary School and Courthill Infant School marked a successful start to our partnership with Take Art.

2024/2025 saw our two specialist practitioners successfully delivering 10 week projects in Reception classes at Lilliput Infant School and Malmesbury Park Primary School with fantastic feedback received from the teachers involved.

We look forward to offering a similar opportunity to another two Early Years settings in either Spring or Summer Term 25/26 as our support within this sector continues to develop. Keep an eye out for further details to be released in Autumn Term 2025!