A must-have resource for early years music

Drawing on their years of experience as EYFS teachers, school leaders and local authority advisers, Sue Nicholls and Sally Hickman have created a resource packed with ideas, activities, advice and guidance for any EYFS music practitioner.

Supporting teachers to deliver the 2021 reformed statutory framework, Collins Primary Music – Early Years Foundation Stage is an “invaluable” resource (Andy Burt, Early Excellence Curriculum Consultant) and yet “comfortingly accessible” (Nikki Walters, Head of Regional Development – North, Scotland & Wales, Early Excellence).

Flexible content

Having meticulously considered every opportunity and challenge practitioners face, and trialled the materials in real-life settings, Sue and Sally have selected 12 ‘starting points’ stemming from children’s interests with songs, chants, listening music, images, videos and stories to engage and inspire exploration.

The units can be used in any order, with each one offering progression across ages 3–5. Each starting point comprises ideas and activities for Enhancing Continuous Provision, Musical Learning, Home Learning and all Areas of Learning and Development, engaging and inspiring children with a wealth of music from around the world and across a range of traditions.

Explore a selection of sample pages here!

“Sally and Sue have created a beautifully holistic text which explores the wonderful curriculum links between music, song and all other areas of learning” (Burt), placing music at the centre of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and inspiring and delighting children as they take those all-important first steps into formal education.

Varied formats

The A4 print book “beautifully encapsulate[s] the important aspects of observation, assessment, and planning, communicating key messages succinctly and in a very readable format” (Walters).

It is accompanied by an audio CD, ensuring teachers have everything they need to support children’s early musical journeys. Additional downloads – including planning and assessment guidance, templates, imagery, vocabulary, background information, and related reading and songs – are all available to download online.

Collins Primary Music – Early Years Foundation Stage is also available through Music Express, Collins’ digital primary music scheme used by thousands of schools across the UK. Explore the sample site here!

Sign up for a FREE 30-day trial of Music Express today

The impact

From Amazon:

“So comprehensive and easy to use, plus it’s got fun songs that the kids love to sing. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantastic resource on teaching music in primary schools.”

“This is a comprehensive learning resource, primarily for teachers or anyone home schooling. It’s filled with helpful strategies and includes a CD, all of the information contained on it can be accessed online along with further content.”

“This is a lovely resource, offering helpful strategies to encourage musicality as well as exploring the song themes across all areas of the curriculum. The book is set out in clear sections – ideas for enhancing play, the learning outcomes and the song itself. Based on familiar traditional songs, this is a fabulous teaching resource. The book also contains a CD with the music and songs from the book. This is an excellent resource for teachers, Nursery Practitioners and Home Schoolers.”

From Sarah Wise, Early Years and KS1 Lead, Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT):

“With spot-on ‘starting points’ including Beyond the Stars and Who Shall I be Today? this book contains clearly laid-out ideas for adult-guided musical activities and, most importantly, suggestions to enhance continuous provision. Music is not the preserve of the special person on the special day, but part of everyday – the book refers to the seven Areas of Learning and provides practical ideas achievable by all practitioners.

Well-known song tunes help with adult confidence and audio recordings are there to support learning new material. I am sure everyone will quickly make the songs and activities their own. A super new resource for all early years settings.”