Monkey Music Baby & Toddler Classes Music Classes in Cheltenham and Gloucester

Sian Ferris 01242 525750
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Welcome to our classes

Hello, I'm Sian and I have been running Monkey Music in Cheltenham & Gloucester since 2002 - when we were the first franchise to open outside of London.  Having been an amateur singer from an early age, music has always been deeply important to me and I love to share that.

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When I became a mum I knew I wanted my children to share in that too – and that’s when I heard about Monkey Music in London, where I lived at the time.  I loved it - and how wonderful and inspirational the classes were. It was so creative and so much fun, for the children and for the parents too.

When I left the capital, I took Monkey Music with me, opening the first franchise outside of London where it had been so successful.  That was more than 18 years ago. I’m now a mum-of-three and I have never looked back - I love my job each and every day. I feel so lucky to share the magic of Monkey Music with so many families. There is never a dull day, the children are a constant joy and their enthusiasm is infectious!

I love the way that every child starts to enjoy the wonders of music; it helps them to explore their creative side and develops their confidence.

Monkey Music follows a unique teaching curriculum written by classically trained musicians, designed to introduce music to very young children in a way they can easily understand and enjoy.

The Monkey Music journey starts with Rock'n'Roll – gentle songs and absorbing activities for babies from 3 months. Toddlers then move to Heigh-ho, getting up on their feet and exploring props. Our two and three-year-olds learn to sing, dance and play instruments in Jiggety-jig, while our biggest monkeys head to Ding-dong, where they learn to understand musical patterns and recognise notes.

Each class is full of energy - captivating the children using a winning combination of catchy music, percussion instruments, visual props, boundless enthusiasm and lots of opportunities for the children to experiment with instruments and make music of their own. 

It’s about letting our children have fun with music whilst enhancing development, listening, concentration, confidence and social skills.

The benefits for children speak for themselves – but there are benefits for our grown-ups too, be they parents, carers or grandparents. It’s a wonderful way to share those previous early years and a whole lot of fun.

We’d love to welcome you!

 

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ENQUIRY

Growing up in tune with Monkey Music!

Monkey Music near you

BOOK YOUR FREE CLASS HERE!

Monday

Highbury Congressional Church, Oxford Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 6DU

10:15am
Jiggety-Jig 2 + 3 year olds
11:00am
Heigh-Ho From 12 months
Book Online

Up Hatherley, St Philip & St James Parish Church, Cold Pool Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 6HX

9:30am
Jiggety-Jig 2 + 3 year olds
10:10am
Ding-Dong 3 + 4 year olds
10:50am
Heigh-Ho From 12 months
11:30am
Rock'n'Roll From 3 months
Book Online

Monkey Music at Home Recorded by Sian, Virtual Class Times - Sessions Can be Viewed Monday to Sunday, Cheltenham, GL53 8DN

10:00am
Heigh-Ho From 12 months
10:00am
Jiggety-Jig 2 + 3 year olds
Book Online

Tuesday

Bishops Cleeve Community Centre, off Church Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 8LR

9:30am
Heigh-Ho From 12 months
10:15am
Jiggety-Jig 2 + 3 year olds
11:00am
Ding-Dong 3 + 4 year olds
11:45am
Rock'n'Roll From 3 months
Book Online

Bourton, George Moore Community Centre, Moore Road, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 2AZ

2:15pm
Heigh-Ho From 12 months
3:00pm
Jiggety-Jig 2 + 3 year olds
Book Online

Wednesday

More details coming soon....

Thursday

Leckhampton, Emmanuel Church, Fairfield Parade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 7PJ

2:10pm
Heigh-Ho From 12 months
2:45pm
Rock'n'Roll From 3 months
Book Online

Friday

The PlayFarm, Unit 8a The Brewery, Henrietta Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4FA

10:30am
Heigh-Ho From 12 months
11:15am
Jiggety-Jig 2 + 3 year olds
Book Online

Monkey Term Dates

Autumn Term 2020

Term Starts:
Monday 5th October
Half Term:
Monday 26th October - Friday 30th October
Term Ends:
Friday 18th December

Term

Term Starts:
Thursday 1st January
Half Term:
n/a
Term Ends:
Thursday 1st January

“Monkey Music has been an inspiration to us over the years. I have seen my son transform into the music loving, dancing, singing and confident boy he is now"

Monkey Music mum

“Monkey Music Cheltenham and Gloucester has been the best activity I have done with my son, I will treasure the memories I have of the sessions. Thank you!”

Monkey Music mum

“A note to thank you so much for giving Emilie such an amazing time at Monkey Music. We are all sad that her time with you has come to an end. Thank you for making Mondays so special!" Monkey Music Mum

Monkey Music grandmother

“Thank you for teaching my two girls for the last 5 years. Your lessons are educational and fun, the girls have learnt so much and you have helped them on their journey in readiness for school"

Monkey Music mum

“Monkey Music has really ignited a love for music and rhythm with both Oliver and Max. Max is going to learn the violin in September and Oliver loves practising on Daddy's trombone - he's actually pretty good"

Monkey Music mum

Celebrate with Monkey and Mo!

Monkey Music parties are great fun for babies and children of all ages. Parties are tailored to suit every occasion and always include the birthday child’s favourite Monkey Music songs!

Send a Party Enquiry

"Thank you for making Ellie's 2nd Birthday Party such a roaring success. Monkey Music was loved by everyone - especially Ellie! I can't wait for her next birthday! Thank you"

Monkey Music mum

Holiday fun for all with our Holiday Workshops!

Monkey Music holiday workshops are a popular way to keep children entertained during the holidays. Unlike our regular classes where children are strictly grouped according to age, the holiday workshops cater for a mixed age group of children.

Book your Workshop here!

Monkey Workshops

No Monkey Workshops currently on our system, check back soon.

"What a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays - it was fantastic to continue our Monkey Music experience during the summer break with such a fun workshop. It was the highlight of our holidays".

Monkey Music Events!

Join us at one of our Monkey Music Events and find out what happens at Monkey Music! Since they began, in 1993, over 4.8 million classes have entertained hundreds of thousands of families across the UK!

Book your space for some magical music making with your family. Suitable for babies and young children. Be quick! Places are limited.

Monkey Events

No Monkey Events currently on our system, check back soon.

I would like to make a Nursery Enquiry

The Monkey Team

Karley Ferris

Hi, I'm Karley and I've been teaching Monkey Music for the past 12 years, having taken my own 3 children to classes in Cheltenham. 

Music and performance is a huge part of my life and something I'm really passionate about.  I can't recommend it highly enough!

What do the classes involve? Monkey Music is an interactive award winning musical curriculum. Classes are small and tailor-made for babies and young children who are grouped according to their age. Each child is accompanied by their carer. Little ones sing, dance and play musical instruments. Grown ups join in the fun too!
Can babies relate to music at such a young age? The ear is the first organ to develop fully in the womb. From five months, an unborn baby can hear the world around them. Early exposure to music encourages babies to develop their musical ear which supports all aspects of early learning and development. Just as language skills are developed early in life, so is musical talent. Regardless of the level of music aptitude with which children are born, they must have formal and informal experiences in music to maintain that level of potential.
Are the classes different for each age group? Yes. Our curriculum is structured and progressive. Rock’n'Roll: from 3 months Heigh-Ho: from 12 months Jiggety-Jig: 2 + 3 year olds Ding-Dong: 3 + 4 year olds
Are all the teachers musically trained? All Monkey music teachers are specifically trained on delivering the Monkey Music curriculum. Many of them are professional musicians and teachers.
How long is a class? Half an hour. Each 30 minute class is a significant step in our progressive curricula. Classes are carefully planned to maximise the attention span of a very young child so that they learn from sharing a rewarding, enjoyable and worthwhile experience.
At what age can my child start Monkey Music? From 3 months old.
Can I try a class before I sign up to a course? Yes. You and your child are invited along for a free complimentary class when making an initial booking enquiry.
How much does a class cost? Please ask at your local Monkey Music Office.
Do I have to pay in advance? Yes. After your first complimentary class you reserve your place and you may choose to pay for our regular weekly classes either monthly or termly. Monthly payments will be due on the 1st of a month for classes booked in that month. Customers joining midway through a month will be charged for the remainder of classes in that month. Customers booking prior to the start of term will be charged for classes in the first month of booking. Termly payments will be due on the 1st of the month that each term commences. Customers joining midway through a term will be charged on booking for the remainder of classes in that term. Customers booking prior to the start of term will be charged for the term on the day of booking. You will be notified by email ahead of each payment taken and also when payment has been taken.
How many children are in a class? During our transition to classes due to Covid-19, places are limited and will vary from venue to venue. Our maximum capacity is 15 children per class.
Do classes just run during term time? Regular classes run during term time. Many areas also run seasonal Holiday Workshops during school holidays.
What happens at a Monkey Music Birthday Party? See More Fun on the main website.
How do I become a Monkey Music franchisee? For more details, please click here
Where can I buy Monkey Music merchandise? Please click here.
Why pay a membership fee? When enrolling in Monkey Music for the first time, a child becomes a member of our online Monkey Music Club. New members receive a Welcome Pack, including a Monkey Music T-shirt, beautiful sticker pack and milestone card as well as access to our online club which supports the child in their learning experience at Monkey Music. The membership fee is payable when registering each child in regular weekly classes at Monkey Music and we offer a discount to siblings who join at any stage. Siblings receive their own welcome pack and T-shirt to wear to class. Ask your local classes for more details.
Is it OK for me to take photos or video in class? No, we politely request that you refrain from taking photos or videos at class.
Can I opt out of the membership fee? No, our online club is designed to support the learning experience of children at our regular classes and is a popular go-to places between classes to enjoy making Monkey Music at home.
Can I bring an adult friend/relative to class? Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we ask that only one adult accompanies the child/children to Monkey Music classes.
Do I have to sing along? We love it when our customers join in and your children benefit from hearing the sound of a familiar voice, no matter how good or bad! However, current Government Guidelines don't allow for sing-along activities so for the time being our classes are directed and sung by the teacher only. Customers may enjoy our songs at home by purchasing our class specific download albums or books - all available from our online shop.
Do I have to be musical? No! Our teachers will make you feel welcome whatever your musical ability.
Why don’t you offer drop-in classes? We value musical education as a fundamental part of early development, and as such our regular weekly classes are progressive to maximise the learning potential of each child.
Can I bring a newborn baby too? Babes in arms accompanying older siblings are welcome in our classes free of charge, please speak to your local classes for more information.
What do I need to bring with me? Everything you need to enjoy our classes is made available by the teacher, however, should you prefer not to use the Monkey Music instruments provided at class (these will have been freshly santised for each customer prior to use), you may bring your own Monkey Music approved instruments purchased from our online shop or identical items bought elsewhere. You may also bring along your own small blanket for your child to sit on.
What if I miss my usual class? During our transition back to classes due to Covid-19, should you miss a class, or your teacher is unable to teach, you will receive a link to a special Monkey Music class to join in at home. You may enjoy this class as many times as you would like to over the week! Please speak to your teacher for more details.
What makes Monkey Music classes so special? Monkey Music classes are considered a leading light in pre-school education. Come along for a free class to see for yourself what make Monkey Music classes the highlight of the week for so many families across the UK!
Why is Monkey Music more expensive than the other music groups around? Monkey Music has been established for over 25 years and is proud to have a rich musical heritage. We offer a unique and progressive learning experience for your child, which is supported by over 500 original songs and musical activities. Our talented teachers are carefully chosen and trained to offer the highest standard of pre-school music education.
Why are Monkey Music classes 30 minutes long? Our classes have been honed and developed over 25 years and are designed to fully captivate babies and young children for the duration. The very interactive nature of every class means that our little monkeys need to rest again after 30 minutes of magical music making!
What do you expect of the children, do they have to sit down the whole time? Each class is carefully structured and formatted so that every child and carer is encouraged to join in with the fun. Classes are paced according to each age group with the opportunity for little ones to be up on their feet during ‘Time to Move’ and sitting with their carers during ‘Time to Play’ and ‘Time to Sleep’. Most children quickly learn what is happening next and Monkey helps them with friendly encouragement!
Do you offer ‘mixed age’ classes? Because of the progressive nature of our curricula which is age specific, we do not offer regular weekly mixed classes. However, during the holidays, many of our teachers offer mixed age holiday workshops.
What is your Health and Safety plan around Covid-19? Please see our Monkey Music Covid-19 Health and Safety plan here which details the measures we are putting in place to keep everyone safe at Monkey Music.
How do I cancel my class booking? You can cancel your booking at any time within 15 calendar days from your booking confirmation date if you have not had face to face contact with your franchisee when making that booking. To exercise your right you must inform your franchisee in writing of your decision to cancel within the cancellation period. Notice can be provided by emailing the email address or writing to the address provided to you in the booking confirmation email, including your name, home address, details of your booking and, where available, your phone number and email address or you can print off and post or email to the email or postal address shown in the booking confirmation email a completed model cancellation form, a copy of which is available from your franchisee. In addition to the above you can end your enrolment for terms of regular classes with Monkey Music on giving at least one month’s prior written notice to be received by your franchisee by 1st day of the month prior to the month your next payment is due. For those paying termly: If you have opted to pay for classes termly this means that notice must be received by your franchisee by 1st day of the month prior to the month the next term is due to start. If you seek to terminate the contract before this date your franchisee will try to fill the place(s) you have booked with other customers but if your franchisee is unable to do so then you may not be entitled to a refund. For those paying monthly. If you have chosen to pay monthly then notice must be received by the first day of the month prior to the month your next payment is due. Provided your notice to terminate has been received by your franchisee by the 1st of the month before the next payment is due then the contract will end and you will not be required to pay the next payment.
BOOK YOUR FREE CLASS HERE!

National Monkey Chatter

Posted 17/09/20
Back in the classroom - Let's Rock ('n'Roll)!

Angie Coates, Monkey Music CEO and founder is thrilled to see classes re-opening in venues across the UK.  Angie...

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Posted 10/09/20
Keeping Safe at Monkey Music

Following on from yesterday’s Government announcements in England around tighter restrictions on social...

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Local Monkey Chatter

Posted 28/08/20
Monkey Music is back face-to-face

Booking is now open for face-to-face classes at local venues.  Classes start week commencing the 5th October....

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Posted 15/07/20
Summer Holiday Workshops

Come and join Sian and Karley for the holiday workshops;  we are singing about animals, transport and the...

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