Josie Dade, Winchester

Winchester Mummies and Daddies, you need ‘Jolly Josie’ in your life! I’ve been here in Winchester teaching the Music with Mummy programme since 2006 now; small, structured classes with simply gorgeous music, songs and activities. You’ll know many of the traditional favourites and you will grow to adore our original Da Capo creations. I recall one of my Mummies saying that we were quite literally THE soundtrack to her children’s early years and playtimes – when she looks back now, it is our music and song that was there as she raised her family in those first five years. And yes, of course, Daddies, Grandmas, Childminders, Great Auntie Joan(!) – it is not JUST Mummies that attend – your child can bring any special adult they’d like to!

As an ex-primary teacher with an honours degree in child education and qualified teacher status, I have had years of teaching experience with school-age children, but it wasn’t until Music with Mummy entered my life (as a Mother taking my own young family to the class) that I began to realise the joy of working with the magical early years. From the tiniest new baby beginning to hit those very first developmental milestones up to my toddlers and pre-schoolers that are working with tempo or pitch and are finding their rhythm and VOICE – it’s just an utter joy and privilege to be part of your child’s early learning journey and to facilitate the musical experience, the fun, the laughter, the smiles, the special moments and the song.

Jolly Babies for little ones from birth to 14/15 mths…

Bonding time, bouncing time, bubbles! In the thirty minutes you carve out to be together, singing and dancing, you and your little one will begin to learn so many beautiful new songs that will fit around the stages of your babies development – and so much material you will come to time and time again between classes as you play, soothe and settle.

Music with Mummy – 1-3+ years (no upper age limit)

And now they’re ready for more! A new theme focuses our class each half-term, transport or colour for example, whilst musical learning is more concentrated too – at a level suitable for YOUR child. We’ll sing, we’ll dance, we’ll bang the drum and shake the maracas, rhythm will develop, as will confidence, we’ll laugh (a LOT!) and we’ll learn some brilliant listening skills too.

Three Four Time (3 & 4 yrs old only)

Three Four Time really is the icing on the musical cake! Themes are mainly based on stories or great classical pieces such as Peter and The Wolf or The Carnival of the Animals, and musical learning, along with a little drama, is extended even further. Children are now ready to attend these sessions independently! But we don’t want parents/carers to miss the fun totally; they are welcome to stay for our ‘sit in and share’ session, the final class of each half-term.

My class timetable is below and sessions run from The Carroll Centre in Stanmore with the coffee shop, community library and Qube Soft Play on site and the playpark right outside. Car parking is free and plentiful.