January has seen the early years team leap into action with plans for a joyful year full of early years creative programmes and training opportunities.
We have two programmes that currently form the bedrock of our early years work; our SoundWaves Network SW music programme and Little People Big Ideas cross artform project, both of which are funded by Youth Music. Through these projects creative practitioners work collaboratively with young children, early years staff and families to share the joys of creative activity and the benefits to health, wellbeing and support child development. More about these projects can be found on our website.
Understanding and tuning into the world of early years is vital to all we do. To hear about how we approach our work please do read the article in our current Take Art programme in which Jane Parker, our early years creative specialist and lead, shares the approach we take to supporting music in early childhood.
Looking ahead, we are busy building new partnerships which will enable us to diversify the early years work we do and continue to bring a smorgasbord of activity and professional training to the youngest members of our society and the adults who care for them.
It’s going to be an exciting year!
Training Opportunities – Learn Skills, Find Joy
Take Art continues to work with partners to bring you free or subsidised training opportunities to strengthen your skills, experience and understanding of creativity and how it supports child development. Our aim is to offer valuable, research-based training whilst enabling you to connect to the joy that creativity can release.
Coming up and open for bookings are:
Building Confidence using Music in Early Childhood
Take Art’s popular 6 session x 1.5 hours course via Zoom in the evenings
FREE places for people working in early years in Somerset (limited numbers available – grab your space as soon as possible).
This practical and interactive course is for anyone who wants to improve their skills and knowledge and connect to the joy of early years music.
7.30 pm – 9.00 pm Wednesdays on 26 February | 5 March | 12 March | 19 March | 26 March | 2 April 2025
For further information and to book click here.
Nurturing Creativity in the Early Years
A full day conference on music and arts in early years education.
9.30 – 4.00 pm Friday 21 March 2025 at Exeter College, Future Skills Centre, Exeter EX5 2LJ
£55. Includes lunch, workshops and presentations.
For information and link to booking page click here.
Keynote by Dr Susan Young: Musical Play – What is musical play? Why foster it? What do children gain? Why is it valuable?
Take Art have teamed up with Devon Education Music Hub to bring you this conference which offers music educators, early years practitioners, childminders, and students the tools and inspiration to integrate music and creativity into everyday learning experiences.
Certificate for Music Educators: Early Childhood
- Would you like to develop and enhance your skills in early years music?
- Would you like to understand more about making music with young children?
- Would you like to learn in a supportive environment?
- Would you like to form a community of learning to explore with others?
- Would you like a nationally recognised Level 4 qualification?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, then the Certificate for Music Educators: Early Childhood is the course for you! Registration is now open for our 2025-2026 Cohort.
Full details and application information can be found here.
Course fee bursaries of up to 100% available from Take Art (subject to their funding). For bursary enquiries email earlyyears@takeart.org.
