UK Enterprise Awards 2023

97 | UK Enterprise Awards 2023 Apr23202 Most Enriching Early Years Music Class Provider 2023 – South West Moo Music Central Dorset and Borders is a fun, interactive music and movement based class for babies, toddlers, and pre-school age children. It uses over 150 original songs and targeted activities to encourage social interaction and hitting key developmental milestones. The classes are friendly, supportive, and accessible to all. Nikki Skinner is the owner and one of the entertainers/class leaders at Moo Music CDB, based in the Central Dorset and its bordering areas. For her, the key business ingredient is accessibility for all. As the figurehead of the business, she ensures all of her classes, and all the other Moo Music classes taking place under her umbrella, run with an ethos of accessibility, non judgement, and heart-felt support for both the children and their grown-ups. As the mum of an autistic child, Nikki always felt as though she was the parent being looked at during classes due to her child behaving differently. Consequently, she established her business with a determination to ensure everyone at her classes, children and grownups, never feel as she did. She endeavours to keep the environment free of cliques, instead aiming to create an all-inclusive, one-bighappy-family environment. Grown-ups are encouraged to talk to class leaders and one another about “the good, the bad and the ugly” of parenting and / or caring. It is fundamentally important to Nikki and the rest of the team at Moo Music CDB that if there’s ever anything troubling a customer, or weighing heavy on their minds, they should know they can turn to any member of the team for support, or just to listen. One mum says “Thankyou for everything you have done for myself and Evelyn! Not only have you welcomed us into your amazing sessions you have also been a shoulder to cry on when times got tough, you got us smiling/ laughing when we were sad and were always an ear that listened to all the rants! You gave advice when questions were asked! And you didn’t have to do any of this but you did”. The other staff members, known as “Farmers,” are: Jenna Bowden, kirsty Calcott, Laura Gittins and Natalie Jones-McWalters. Every member of the team love to interact with the children, and their grown-ups, and enjoy watching their young customers hitting all kinds of development milestones from rolling over, first words and steps to being able to balance on one leg. One of Nikki favourite personal achievements has been watching a young, nonverbal child with no confidence to interact, develope a small vocabulary and becoming so confident, he not only began joining in activities but ran to hug her mid-song. An incredibly moving moment for all who witnessed it. The Moo Music CDB team delights in its group mentality, and in making families feel comfortable rather than like attendees at a business. It is looking at growing and expanding before the end of 2023. Creating a HQ that will be inside Nikkis new business; Nikki’s Little Play Caf in Brewery Square, Dorchester. A soft play caf with a Moo Music classroom on site. The premises will be a safe space, a haven for children and their grown-ups. Post Covid, there was an abundance of parent and baby/toddler classes pop up. Moo Music CDB welcomes them all, but it sees itself as a step apart owing to its extensive and constantly ongoing training, background, and knowledge. Moo Music makes use of all their original songs, all written and recorded by renowned singer songwriter Craig McLeish. They are catchy, educational and definitely capture the imagination. Subjects range from visits to the farmyard to colours of the rainbow, and even a marmite sandwich-eating dinosaur! There is never a dull moment during these fantastic action packed classes which not only develop musical ability and enjoyment of music, but help youngsters with the development of speech and language, fine and gross motor skills and social and interpersonal relations. Moo Music Central Dorset and Borders is a fantastic way for both children and adults to meet and make new friends. It has recently been awarded a significant title of Most Enriching Early Years Music Class Provider 2023 – South West. It is such a worthy winner; with its dedication to developing an essential parenting hub, its extensive coverage of SEND needs, and its focus on providing a safe space for 0–5-year-olds. Well done to Moo Music CentralDorsetandBorders, the undoubted highlight of the week for so many of its happy little customers. Contact: Nikki Skinner Company: Moo Music Central Dorset and Borders Web Address: moo-music.co.uk/areas/swdorset/

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