Music Express Early Years Foundation Stage is a fantastic new edition of a long-established resource for Early Years practitioners. The new edition incorporates the whole Early Years age range from birth to five and includes old favourites alongside exciting new songs, rhymes and activities. Authors Sue Nicholls, Sally Hickman and Patricia Scott have fully revised this edition to support the 2012 Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Music Express Early Years Foundation Stage comprises a book and three audio CDs, and is supported by videos, graphics and lesson plans on the Early Years section of the Music Express website. Forty-two starting points and holistic activities guide the practitioner through the revised curriculum for Early Years from birth to Early Learning Goals. Arranged in popular themes within the areas of learning and development, the content ranges holistically from songs, stories and rhymes to dances and games for indoor and outdoor learning. The fresh, new design incorporates photographic images of children in real play situations, and includes new features such as ideas for child-initiated learning and parent participation, plus even more activities for exploring the outdoor environment.

Author Biography

Following a successful career as a primary music specialist, Sue Nicholls became an advanced skills teacher, a post which allowed her to follow her passion for music education. Her books to date: 'Bobby Shaftoe clap your hands', 'Michael Finnigin tap your Chinigin', 'Music Express Foundation Stage', 'The handy band' and 'Pat-a-cake make and shake' - published by A&C Black, demonstrate an accessible and practical approach to delivering the music curriculum. Sue is currently a freelance music education consultant and teaches at two universities for BA QTS and PGCE students. She also serves on the representative council of NAME as co-chair for Primary and Early Years Focus Group. Patricia Scott has devoted 37 years to music education as a teacher and music advisor, supporting practitioners and teachers at Foundation and all Key Stages. She has organised and delivered school and centrally-based courses, writing and publishing support materials including 'Time for a song', 'Practical ideas for music in the National Curriculum' and 'Policies, schemes of work and development plans'. Sally Hickman has a wealth of early years experience, working as an early years professional in her own nursery for over 25 years. For the past ten years, Sally has been the Early Years Foundation Stage advisor for Rutland County Council, delivering training and support to early years practitioners across the price, voluntary and independent sector. Sally is co-author for Music Express Foundation Stage and is committed to promoting the welfare, early learning and development for our youngest children.