How can you spend EYPP funding to most effectively meet children’s needs in the current climate?
Supporting the wellbeing of practitioners and parents must continue to be a priority for assuring the wellbeing of children. Most importantly we need to prioritise children’s self-regulation skills and emotional wellness. However, we mustn’t forget that children need to be prepared for school next September and we need to find ways to do this that are fun, active, uplifting and can involve parents and home activities as well.
Boogie Mites music activities are informed by neuroscience evidence, research studies and many years of experience that show us how daily, creative, music-making opportunities can achieve all of these priorities. Not only does it have the potential to significantly boost children’s mood, social skills and cognitive development, but it’s also great for equipping educators and parents with mood-boosting activities to enjoy in the setting and at home, uplifting and boosting development for everyone involved.
Neuroscience studies provide evidence of the power of effective, active, music-making to boost children’s development in the early years, particularly in the foundations for literacy and maths. Research suggests that music and movement in the early years (EY) could be the key to closing the attainment gap.
In recent years, many EY settings have chosen to spend their EYPP funding on our School Ready Music Programme. They receive practitioner training and resources that can be used in the setting and for parent engagement sessions.
“I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Boogie Mites to anyone caring for children in the early years. The extensive learning outcomes for children that it offers, makes it very good value for money. I believe it should be an essential piece of ‘toolkit’ within the industry.”
Emma Berry, Manager, Scamps Pre-School, East Worthing
How can we help?
Boogie Mites have been supporting early years settings with EYPP funded music training and resources projects for many years. Here are four types of project with feedback that highlights the uplifting factor, impact on school readiness skills, and the legacy.
1. Online self-paced training and programme packs
Read more about our School Ready Literacy Programme
Read more about our Maths Programme
“We decided to purchase training and the ‘School Ready’ pack with our extra funding for EYPP, we introduced it to all of the children not just the children who were in receipt of the EYPP. I can only wish that we had found it sooner! We also used it at our stay and play sessions involving the parents and was enjoyed by all, we noticed that our children were making progress in this area and always look forward to this group time. There isn’t one member of our team that doesn’t enjoy leading the music activities and always feel it is of value, and that the children take something from every session.”
Manager, St. Mark’s Pre-school, Darlington, Co Durham.
2. Online or onsite live practitioner training
You can add a live online or onsite training to launch the programme for your team; this can help practitioner motivation, confidence and enthusiasm to get started and to embed in daily practice.
“Boogie Mites delivered inset training for all practitioners from the Paint Pots Nurseries. Due to the inclusive and group-focused nature of the programme, we considered that it would be the most cost effective way of utilising our EYPP money as our staff would have opportunities to develop skills for all current and future children. The management software provides an attainment graph which allows us to estimate the average rate of development for different periods. Since introduction of Boogie Mites, the results show a marked increase in the rate of development for both boys and girls at the nursery compared to the previous year. Girls and boys across the settings have shown an average development rate increase of almost five months in comparison to the same period the previous year. Staff perceive that this increase in development rate compared to the same time last year can be attributed, at least in part, to the introduction of the regular Boogie Mites music making practise. The case studies of individual EYPP funded children also identified a positive impact on development.”
Cat Baker, Quality and Curriculum Manager Paint Pots Nursery Group.
(Paint Pots nurseries recently upgraded to the online training package with monthly webinars and included a new setting).
3. Onsite music workshops for the preschool cohort (where we have a local teacher.)
Many settings spend EYPP funding on Boogie Mites music workshops at the nursery. Over a course of 6 workshop all music activities on the School Ready Literacy and Maths programmes can be covered, so this can also provide practitioner training if the programme is also purchased for inhouse use.
“As manager, it has been amazing to see how much the children’s listening and attention skills have developed. The children and staff are so engaged throughout the Boogie Mites sessions, at times you would be able to hear a pin drop in the setting. I have really enjoyed seeing some of the fun activities and songs being repeated by the children during the week. The sessions have been enjoyed by everyone, so much so, we have just booked again. We have also invested in the School Ready Programme so that the staff can carry out these amazing sessions for a long time to come.” (November 2023)
Nursery Manager Dandelions Pre-school, Basingstoke.
4. Onsite music workshops for parents of EYPP funded children (where we have a local teacher.)
You could extend the onsite course to include parents for one or more workshops, giving them access to the home learning package of music videos resources for home use.
“I’m delighted to see the positive results from the Boogie Mites parent workshops. The effective deployment of Speech and Language through music and singing in the sessions and at home, had a really strong impact on children’s progress in the setting. The results from the workshop are exciting because we have identified a strong language project that works for children and their families.”
Parade Pre-school Portsmouth.
Contact us
Email [email protected] for information, or to organise a training package that best fits your needs/budget exclusively for your setting/nursery group, or for any other enquiries. We would love to work with you to enhance the music provision at your setting, boost wellness and development for staff, children and parents, through music in 2024.
