Nursery Sessions with Piccolo Music

Piccolo has visited many nurseries, playgroups and other Early Years Settings over the last ten years, helping pre-school children to enjoy singing and making music together. It has sometimes been difficult to cope with demand and at times we have had to say 'no' to single visits because we have been so busy with longer term projects and running our 'drop-in' sessions for the general public. We can now cater for nursery visits and if you'd like to find out more, please complete the enquiry form at the bottom of the page.

The Team

We have expanded our team with three extra pairs of hands, in the form of :

• Allison Ferris. As well as facilitating at Piccolo sessions, Allison has experience with Baby Dance (at Dance City) and leading singing sessions at Surestart centres in Newcastle, and delivering Abigail's parties (birthday parties for little ones) for Piccolo.
• Pauline Brandon. Pauline is a violin teacher, and music leader for Gateshead Schools Music Service and as well as leading Piccolo sessions, she works with small children on the Foundation programme at the Sage Gateshead.
• Diane Robson. Diane is a community musician, who started her musical career with Piccolo. She has since undertaken further training at The Sage Gateshead, where she has been working as a Project Musician since April 2008. She currently leads sessions within their Early Years / Silver Programmes, and specialises in playing guitar and ukulele. We are pleased to welcome her back to working with Piccolo.
  

The sessions

Taster session:

This is a free session with a small group of children (we suggest no more than 10) and their accompanying staff. A selection of action songs and rhymes would be sung with the group, showing them how to join in and enjoy the singing together. The idea is that you can then see if you'd like to book a full session for your setting, or a party with Abigail's Parties, or if you'd like to sell Piccolo CDs as a means of 'earning' a session/free CD for your setting.

40 minute singing session:

The cost is £50 and the session would be either for babies under 18 months or for children 18m - 4 years old. The children would need to be accompanied by their usual carers in the setting, and it is also an opportunity for staff to observe, join in and get some ideas for developing their own song-times.
A variety of songs including (depending on the age of the group) actions songs, clapping games, swinging songs, circle songs, instrument songs, songs with puppets and a quiet song to finish with. We normally request that the setting provide instruments for the children to use, although on occasions, if you do not have any, we can provide some.

Are all leaders CRB checked and insured?

Yes, all Piccolo singing leaders are insured through Soundsense, (Community Musician's network) or Musician's Union. All leaders are CRB checked and experienced with working with babies, young children and their families.

If you would like to make an enquiry about Piccolo coming to your Early Years Setting please complete our enquiry form below: