Sound Communities
Sound Communities is a professional development programme for Early Years practitioners (EYPs). Building communities of reflective practice, we explore the theme of music and communication, along with music’s role across the EYFS. Phase III of the programme began in September 2025 in 8 primary school nurseries in the London Borough of Brent, in collaboration with staff from Brent Music Service.
“One of the most surprising parts of the project has been seeing just how much music can reach every child, regardless of their background, language ability or confidence level. Children who were usually very reserved have opened up and found their voice through music.” (EYP)
Sound Communities targets early years settings with above average proportions of children aged 3-4 years with English as an Additional Language (EAL) or who have Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). In each setting we work collaboratively with EYPs through a mix of group training sessions and co-delivery in the nursery with mentoring facilitated by our experienced early years musician team.
Throughout the project, we offer children a wide range of music-making experiences and develop the spaces and practices of the early years settings involved in order to leave a legacy for future cohorts.
“As a practitioner, I’ve learnt a lot about how music can be used as a tool to support learning, wellbeing and inclusion. The group has inspired me to use music more naturally into our daily routines.” (EYP)
Our Specialised Resources
We developed a comprehensive free online resource for teachers in collaboration with The Communication Trust, which was launched in 2020.
Click here to go to the free Sound Communities online resource.
Phase I took place from 2018-22 in 88 settings Essex, Luton, East Sussex, Haringey, Harrow and Barnet reaching 137 EYPs.
Phase II of the programme ran from 2022-25 and supported 30 Brent early years PVI settings, reaching almost 3,000 children and over 60 Early Years Professionals.
Sound Communities has developed and evolved over the years, from its roots in our Music for Change programme, and as our practice has adapted to the shifting challenges within early childhood education and the reflective learning across our team of practitioners.
What is Sound Communities?
Watch our short video explaining more about the project, and hear directly from some of the Early Years practitioners who have already taken part and observed the impact it's had on children in their settings.
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