Learning made fun

Musical Minis Health And Safety Reassurance

At Musical Minis we take your wellbeing very seriously. Although the risk to Musical Minis attendees (both children and adults) is low, we recognise the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID -19) situation is potentially unsettling.

Musical Minis has a comprehensive and robust Health and Safety Policy that is always adhered to. Class props are always regularly cleaned. Instruments are disinfected after each class and whistles are sterilised after each use. In the past we have reviewed our safety policy with Public Health England who have tested the thoroughness of our processes and procedures and been very happy with the results.

Protecting Musical Minis attendees is our priority. We therefore ask you to follow this guidance which reflects additional proactive measures with the aim of giving all attendees reassurance:

• If you or your child feel unwell, please do not come to class that day.

• Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands. Where possible hand sanitiser will be available for you to use or please bring your own.

• If you or anyone else living in your house have travelled abroad to or from an infected location, in the past two weeks, please think carefully before you attend. Clearly if you have been in contact with someone known to be infected, or self-isolating, you should not come to classes.

• Please help us maintain standards and make the class leader aware of any instrument or prop that may need a clean during the session e.g. if your child has been sucking a drumstick. Needless to say, do not allow your child to share whistles with another child!

Rest assured that at Musical Minis we are following closely the guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Public Health England.

Musical Minis Top 10 Names In 2019

Following our tradition of tallying the names of children attending Musical Minis classes, the list below shows the most popular names for children attending in 2019.

It isn't necessarily children who were born in 2019. Furthermore, it doesn't include children who attend Children's Centre sessions, or nursery/school sessions or care home sessions.

This is the 10th year we have issued the Musical Minis top 10 names.

The numbers in brackets shows the name's position in 2018.

Top 10 Boys Names:-

1 Henry  (1)
2 William
3 Joshua (=6)
=4 Charlie (=6)
=4 Jack (2)
=4 Samuel (9)
=4 Toby
8 Max
=9 Arthur
=9 Harry (3)

There are 4 names which have dropped out of the top 10 boys names this year. They are Finley, George, Freddie and Benjamin. They have been replaced by William, Toby, Max and Arthur. William has made it back into our top 10 after missing out last year in 2018 and in 2015, otherwise it has been in the 8 other years since we've recorded the top 10 boys names. Toby, Max and Arthur have never appeared in the Musical Minis top 10 before. Charlie and Samuel have become more popular over the year and moved up the top 10, whilst Joshua, Jack and Harry have become less popular and moved down the list. Henry remains top of the list in 2018 and 2019.

Top 10 Girls Names:-

1 Emily (1)
2 Ava (3)
3 Isla (2)
=4 Amelia (5)
=4 Charlotte (6)
=4 Isabelle (7)
=7 Grace (9)
=7 Matilda
=7 Sienna
10 Rosie

There have been 3 new entries in the top 10 girls names this year - Matilda, Sienna and Rosie. Matilda has been in the top 10 once before in 2012 and Rosie once before in 2017. Sienna has not appeared in the Musical Minis top 10 before. Isabella, Sophie and Jessica have dropped out of this year's top 10. Ava, Amelia, Charlotte, Isabelle and Grace have gained popularity over the year and moved up the top 10 whilst Isla has moved down it. Emily has remained in the same position as last year at the top of the list.

The names are counted according to the spelling and it is noted that there are various spellings of the same name, particularly with girls names. For example, Isabella, Isabelle, Isobel, Isobelle and Isabel are counted as 5 separate names despite being very similar.

From the popular names to the unusual names, from Aaila to Zara (in our A - Z for 2019), there is a huge variety of names. This year we have again noticed many more unique names that only one Musical Minis member has across the whole UK. We have seen an increase in unique boys names in 2019, previously girls names had a tendency to be more unique. There are also a number of names that appear gender neutral and could be for boys or girls.

Names are obviously a personal choice by the parents. What one person loves, another might not. If you would like to know how popular your child's name is or fancy finding a unique name for your baby, just let me know.

Emily is the only girls name which has appeared in the top 10 for all  the 10 years since we started analysing the names. Girls names seem to be much more varied and move in and out of popularity - in the 10 years we have analysed there are 29 different girls names in the top 10. Boys names seem to be more static in the list, in the 10 years we have analysed there are 25 boys names in the top 10. In the last 10 years, Jack, Harry and George have all appeared in the top 10 every year.

Once again it is my 26 year old daughter, Emily, who has created the list of names. Her name has been in the top 10 girls names for the 10th year in a row - 8 of these years in the number 1 position. She is still happy being called Emily, so parents of Emily's we have chosen well!

Winter Fun

THERE is now a new activity download on the Musical Minis website. It's our Winter themed download with songs and cooking and collage activities to do.

Click on this link and enter your details to instantly receive the pack.

We would love to see photos of the finished activities in the pack. Please email them to us at [email protected]

Let us know how you get on with this download and any ideas which you may have for future ones. Are there any specific activities you particularly enjoy doing with your children? As well as being educational we primarily really want both children and adults to have fun

Introducing Amy Our New Teesside And South Durham Musical Minis Manager

We are delighted to announce that Teesside and South Durham Musical Minis will recommence in January 2020.

Musical Minis Teesside and South Durham was established in 2008 and ran until 2018 when the franchisee had to leave due to family circumstances. Since then we have been constantly getting requests for classes in the area. Amy Reid, who ran some classes for the franchise, contacted us recently to see if she could start some sessions up again. Musical Minis Head Office is going to do all the administration for the area and Amy will be the local Manager and run weekly classes. Both Musical Minis Head Office ans Amy are excited about this new venture.

Amy has introduced herself below:

Hi, I am Amy and I am delighted to be have been given the opportunity to manage the Musical Minis South Teesside area. I’m originally from South Wales, but I now live in Ingleby Barwick with my husband, our two children Alexis (5) and Owen (3) and our two dogs Finlay and Ivy.

Alexis and Owen were both regulars at the South Teesside Musical Minis sessions before they started into full-time nursery and the classes were hugely beneficial for them both. I started attending with Alexis when she was just 3 months old and since she’s developed into a little singing star – she loves music and sings everywhere she goes!

The classes were even more helpful for Owen who was diagnosed with a swallowing disorder when he was very little. They were great for helping to bring along his speech, co-ordination and confidence in an environment where he could feel relaxed and be around other children of his age. He has since developed into a bright and mischievous little boy – he certainly keeps us and his big sister on our toes!

As for me, my background in music started from a young age and I attended Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester where I specialized in flute, piano and vocals. After leaving school, I worked as a club singer with one of my friends and our band Seren was a regular in the pubs and clubs of South Wales for several years. My day job however was very different, working as Veterinary Nurse and I eventually pursued this as my main career for 10 years before stopping when the children came along. It came as a nice surprise therefore when I was given the opportunity to get back into music and temporarily help with the South Teesside franchise in 2018. And I am even more pleased that I’ve once again been given the opportunity now!

We plan to run classes in Ingleby Barwick, Thornaby and Wolviston and I know the sessions will be very friendly with a lovely atmosphere and offer a great opportunity to meet other parents and children in a fun setting. I look forward to meeting you and your little ones there!

Classes with be available to book into in the next few weeks - we are just waiting to finalise dates and times with venues. As soon as we know we will set online booking live here. If you would like to register your interest email [email protected] .

Christmas Parties With South Lincs Musical Minis

Come and join the Christmas fun at Musical Minis in South Lincolnshire.

South Lincs Musical Minis is holding non religious Christmas sessions in Morton, Bourne and Wittering. To find out days and times and to book onto them, click here.

To find out more information visit the Musical Minis South Lincs website or email [email protected]

An Introduction To A Musical Minis Class In Oxford - Video

An introduction to a Musical Minis class in Oxford showing child development through music.The video shows Hayley Clements, the Musical Minis Oxford franchisee, along with children and their carers. Hayley runs classes in Aynho, Bicester and Woodstock.

Musical Minis Summer Fun In South Wales

We are so excited to be able to offer some musical fun over the summer holidays for your little ones in Barry.

On Monday mornings in July and August South Wales Musical Minis 'Summer Sessions' will be held at All Saints Church, Barry at 10am.

Sessions are going to be on July 22nd, 29th and August 12th.

You can expect 45 minutes of singing, music, instruments, bubbles, parachute, stories ... lots of fun to keep your little one/s entertained over the summer holidays!

We would love to see our regular members but also welcome some new faces. Everyone welcome - no membership needed and older siblings are free to come along too. Booking is essential as places are limited. Click here for all the details and to book your place.

Summer Fun With Durham Musical Minis

Join in the fun with Durham Musical Minis Summer Parties.

The Summer Parties are being held in Belmont, Lanchester and Newton Hall.

The cost is only £5 per child and places must be booked in advance.

Everyone welcome - no membership needed.

Click here for all the details and to book your place.

As well as the Summer Parties Musical Minis Durham is running integenerational sessions this Summer too. These are taking place in Durham in St. Aidan Lodge in July and August. The residents will join in with the children bringing the young and old together for a morning of fun. There will be one session in July and one in August.

Click here for all the details and to book your place.

Bucks and South Northants Musical Minis Summer Sessions

We are so excited to be able to offer some musical fun over the summer holidays for your little ones in Bucks!

Across two weeks in August, we are running 8 Musical Minis 'Summer Sessions' in different locations and at different times. Sessions are going to be in Buckingham, Loughton Lodge, Maids Moreton, Stony Stratford, Tingewick and Winslow.

You can expect 45 minutes of singing, music, instruments, bubbles, parachute, stories ... lots of fun to keep your little one/s entertained over the summer holidays!

Our sessions will also be themed - the first week being all about ANIMALS and the second week will be based around GOING TO THE BEACH.

We would love to see our regular members but also welcome some new faces. Everyone welcome - no membership needed and older siblings are free to come along too. Booking is essential as places are limited. Click here for all the details and to book your place.

Join In The Fun This Summer With Musical Minis

Musical Minis franchisees are once again gearing up to make sure that Summer at Musical Minis is full of fun.

Musical Minis Summer parties and sessions are being run in some areas.

Click on the locations below to find out what is going on in your area:

Berkshire - Teddy Bears' Picnic

Buckinghamshire - regular themed sessions throughout the Summer

Durham - Summer Parties plus sessions in Care Homes.

South Lincs - regular sessions throughout the Summer.

South Wales - regular sessions throughout the Summer plus sessions in Care Homes.

Other locations will be added soon so please keep looking or contact your local Musical Minis franchisee.