Waltham Forest Sound Foundations
Shernhall Pre-school secured significant funding from the National Foundation for Youth Music and Hoe Street Community Ward Forum for an exciting Early Years Music Project. Waltham Forest Sound Foundations ran for one year initially offering music sessions for children and training (CPD) for staff across the EYFS for three pre-schools.
This partnership project funded by the National Foundation for Youth Music and Hoe Street Ward Forum brought music sessions delivered by a specialist Early Years Teacher from Redbridge Music Service to the three participating preschools (The Village, St Patricks and Shernhall – lead partner).
Staff from each participating pre-school received training and support as part of the programme to deliver the music sessions themselves and they attended three CPD sessions. The programme was open to all the children that attended each participating pre-school.
The sessions are designed with an emphasis on personal and social development, building confidence in participating in a group situation and as an individual. Music sessions contain a variety of activity e.g. songs and rhymes, encouraging competency in speaking and listening skills, beat and rhythm, structured and free dance, playing instruments (egg shakers, rhythm sticks, etc.) and aspects of numeracy and encouraging accurate counting, grouping and sequencing.
The project was a huge success and this was showcased in an end of project celebration musical performance for parents, carers and invited guests including the Major of Waltham Forest.