… the drum in the guitar were amazing and it was like a key that opened the door for her to be able to relax and express her sound, and give her freedom just to be in another word. It was like she was being transferred into another place and she could forget all the anxieties … it was just like someone had taken the chains off her. And then for like 20 minutes she could just be what she wanted and happy and relaxed

EY practitioner, about music engagement with a child

We, the Early Years Advisory Teachers, have to date supported the project and advised around suitable settings and models that would fit with in the Southampton Early Years preschools and Nurseries. We have seen the significant impact this project is having in the settings involved and the practitioners who embrace this project.  Within our role of Area SENDCo’s we witness the impact on the children who benefit from this. We continue to liaise closely with Iggy and support the ongoing development of this work, finding suitable settings and practitioners to participate. We look forward to seeing how this work can be further developed to include greater numbers, such as training workshops and other EY and Childcare providers.

Member of the EYATs team

Ignacio held our hand through the process of training…giving us a shared language that we wouldn't have

Assistant Head Teacher, Springwell School

Being part of the project has definitely changed my ‘musical interactive’ practice… It has become a ‘go to’ activity rather than a ‘we should’ activity. It is part of the way we work now.

Early Years Lead, Rosewood School

Ignacio was particularly skilled at empowering staff, none of whom were music specialists and for many reluctant to teach music, to become empowered, willing and eventually strong advocates for the power of music, particularly in the early years. As our children are developmentally very young, learning about their agency and how they effect change in their environment is a primary educational goal. We have seen, and therefore want to develop further, how the use of music as a tool for interaction and control is powerful and at times mesmerising to witness.

Headteacher, Rosewood School

SEYM has become an integral and important part of Early Years SEND in Southampton, supporting good practice and music provision across the city. It is recognised by the Early Years Advisory team as a key strategy for children with complex additional needs. SEYM is now embedded in the practice of many non-maintained providers in the city and this supports smooth pupil transitions from non-maintained Early Years providers into Springwell Early Years.

Assistant Head teacher, Springwell School

We have seen the programme evolve to meet the wider needs of our children and families. Notably, SEYM has enhanced transition support for children moving into Year R, helping to ensure smoother transitions through consistent, familiar, and engaging music-based routines.

Group Manager, Paint Pot Nurseries

As part of their programme SoCo Music Project have contributed to the Early Years and Childcare Conferences, Team Day events, Twilight training sessions and Childminder information evenings. These events have provided opportunities to expand their professional development work, promote project outcomes, cascade important information and disseminate the project across settings throughout the city.

Early Years and Childcare Service Manager

The sessions which have been taking place have shown  how much music can help, and teach adults and children especially those with additional needs, and I have used this skills with other children both in  my care and at other community play groups. I feel the project  helps the children understand themselves, the world, sounds and how it helps with social skills and attention.

Childminder

Ignacio has been engaging, patient and supportive of our provisions. He has accommodated our requests to hold sessions at various venues across the city at various times and the outcome of these sessions for the children and everyone involved has been incredible.

Childminder