Mini Minstrels
Music for children aged 0-5 years
Overview
Teacher: Beck Smith & Fiona Billingsley
Fun, engaging music sessions for young children, from birth to school age.
Through singing, dancing, and play, children explore beat, rhythm, pitch, and melody in a relaxed, supportive space.
Held in our purpose-built NECOM studio, classes are flexible, allowing each child to join in when ready or simply observe.
A nurturing, confidence-building start to your child’s musical journey.
Why is music so important?
Music uniquely engages both creative and logical parts of the brain, strengthening neural connections.
This supports memory, language, focus, and problem-solving skills. Early exposure can enhance learning and self-regulation.
Sharing music also builds strong emotional bonds and cultural connection.
How do babies classes work?
Our baby and toddler classes help parents confidently bring music into everyday routines.
Alongside songs, movement, and instruments, you’ll learn simple musical games for moments like changing, rocking, and playtime.
Classes often include a featured lullaby and offer a great chance to connect with other parents and children.
Serious Musical Fun!
Mini Minstrels is playful and fun, but built on a carefully prepared music program.
Our teaching follows the Kodály approach, led by specialist early childhood music teachers.
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?
Classes begin with a welcome song, with older children encouraged to sing their names—an engaging start for everyone.
We focus first on developing a strong sense of beat, using rhymes, instruments, and games as this is the basis for all musical activity.
Once children feel the beat, they can confidently explore rhythm and a wider range of musical activities.
Does each child have to have an adult with them?
Yes - each family comes to class with an adult in our classes held at NECOM.
Some families have more than one child and in this case our teachers are happy to assist that family where needed.
Classes are small, with around 10 children enrolled, creating a supportive group environment.
Our classes also help adults feel more confident singing, playing, and moving with their children, with many activities continuing at home during the week.
What if my child doesn’t want to participate?
There is no expectation for children to join in everything.
Some children take a few weeks—or even a whole term—to feel ready to participate, while others prefer to observe or may become overwhelmed at times. This is all normal as they settle in.
If you have any concerns, please speak with your teacher after class or contact our Head of Early Childhood.
How do NECOM’s programs work together in the bigger picture?
Many children begin as babies and progress through Mini Minstrels into Mini Maestros, Minisingers, or instrumental learning at NECOM.
Even if they don’t continue, they leave with lasting benefits—confidence, teamwork, sharing, turn-taking, language & literacy skills, and a strong foundation in music that stays with them for life.
Is attendance flexible, or do I have to stick to a set timetable?
When you enrol we will work with you to find the class that is best for your child. Usually families enrol into one class and stick with that class.
We do understand that family circumstances often change, so our program is flexible – just let us know your needs and we are happy to accommodate where possible.
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, and we can arrange a pro-rata payment for that term.
We do offer discounts for siblings. There are no extra costs or joining fees…. Just the flat rate.
We really do try to make it as accessible as possible as it’s such a great resource in our community.
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
Mini Minstrels classes that are onsite at NECOM are 30min classes and are $149 per term.
To enquire about our current class times please contact our Head of Early Childhood.
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.
Can I come for a trial class before I commit?
Your first week is free! When you enrol, you will receive a discount of 1 class for the term that you enrol into.
Fill out your online enrolment form and our Head of Early Childhood will be in touch to organise your first class free!
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 here.
