Early Childhood Programs

Mini Minstrels

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Mini Minstrels

Teacher: Beck Smith & Fiona Billingsley

Overview

Mini Minstrels offers fun music sessions for children from birth to big school.

Through singing, chanting, dancing, and play, children explore early music concepts including beat, pitch, rhythm, and melody in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Held in our beautiful Early Childhood Studio at NECOM, our structured yet flexible classes allow kids to learn at their own pace, building confidence through repetition.

They can participate when ready, or simply observe until they feel comfortable.

Give your child a head start in music and development in a fun, nurturing setting.

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Why is music so important?

Music is unique in that it engages both sides of the brain—creative and logical—at the same time.

This boosts neural connections, improving cognitive skills like memory, problem-solving, and language.

Research shows that early musical exposure can make us "smarter" by strengthening brain pathways and enhancing focus and self-regulation.

Beyond brain benefits, sharing music with your child creates a lasting emotional bond and provides important cultural connections.

How do babies classes work?

Our baby and toddler classes give new parents the confidence to bring music into their child's day.

We still do bouncing and rolling on balls, rhymes, songs, instruments, dancing and listening but there are fun little rhymes and songs to do while changing nappies, tickling, rocking and playing peek-a-boo.

Often our classes also have a featured lullaby. (The older children might rock a teddy to sleep).

It’s also a wonderful way to meet other parents and their little ones that are a similar age while engaging in a fun activity with your children.

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Serious Musical Fun!

Mini Minstrels looks and feels like a lot of fun with all the games and songs we do, but beneath this lies a carefully prepared, sequential music development program.

Our program and the way that we teach is based on a Hungarian philosophy – Kodaly. Our Specialist Early Childhood Music Teachers are all trained in the Kodaly approach.

Early learning through music can set a person up for a life of enjoyment and confidence in music participation as well as improving literacy and numeracy in the long term.

What can I expect in a class?

We start all classes with a welcome song, with older children being encouraged to sing their own names!

This is such a great way to engage everyone right from the start.

By the time the children are 3 or 4 years old they can mostly move to the beat all by themselves.

We work on ensuring children have secure beat primarily before we start working on rhythm.

Once a child can recognize and feel the beat, there are so many musical opportunities and games to participate in.

So, a lot of our class is spent reinforcing a sense of beat…. Whether it’s saying rhymes together, playing a variety of percussion instruments or playing games.

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Does each child have to have an adult with them?

In our NECOM classes this is usually the case.

Most of our classes have around 10 children enrolled.

Of course, the classes also help the adults gain confidence in singing, playing, and moving with their children.

We like to think that some aspects of our classes are enjoyed at home during the week.

What if my child won’t cooperate?

There is no expectation to join in everything.

Some children take a few weeks of observing before they feel ready to participate.

Some children need to explore, and some get overwhelmed and upset.

This is all normal & expected while they are settling in.

We acknowledge that small children can be unpredictable and we would encourage you to speak with your teacher after class if this becomes an issue, or speak with our Head of Early Childhood.

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Is attendance flexible, or do I have to stick to a set timetable?

We understand that family circumstances often change, so our program is flexible – just let us know your needs and we are happy to accommodate.

You don’t have to start at the beginning of the year or the term, you can enrol at any point, where there’s a vacancy.

There are no extra costs or joining fees…. Just the flat rate.

We do offer an early bird rate if you’re able to, and also discounts for siblings.

If you enrol part way through a term we can arrange a pro-rata payment for that term.

We really do try to make it as accessible as possible as it’s such a great resource in our community.

When you enrol, you are enrolling until you notify us in writing with 4 weeks notice that you wish to withdraw, so if anything changes please just send us an email to let us know.

How do NECOM’s programs work together in the bigger picture?

Many of our children start as tiny babies, finishing our Mini Minstrels programs and go on to Minisingers (NECOM’s K-2 choral program), Mini Maestros (K-2 pre-instrumental program) or take up learning an instrument.

But even if they don’t, the confidence, the ability to work together in a group, turn taking, sharing, and the mastery of the basics of music will be a life-long companion, ready to be used whenever needed.

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Can I come for a trial class before I commit?

Yes of course! Fill out your online enrolment form and NECOM will be in touch to organise your free trial class!

Please advise in writing after this class if you do not wish to continue otherwise you will remain enrolled.

All enrolment terms and conditions can be found on our website.

How does my account work?

Your NECOM invoice will be sent out at the commencement of each term for 9 lessons per term.

If you need to withdraw please let our Head of Early Childhood know in writing with 4 weeks notice, otherwise your enrolment will continue from the previous term.



What if I can't attend my class?

We can't offer credits, however we are happy to work with families to provide a catch up lesson where possible in another appropriate class when you advise that you cannot attend.

Any catch up lessons offered will need to be within the same term, and any unused catch up lessons will be forfeited at the end of each term.

If you would like to organise a catch up lesson please email our Head of Early Childhood.



Our Classes

All classes are 30min classes and are $142 per term.

To enquire about our current class times please contact our Head of Early Childhood.