Youth Music is a national charity promoting and supporting music making opportunities and to provide advice to children from birth to 18 years, with the least access, including some of the UK's most disadvantaged young people. The First Steps open programme offers funding for early years music activities that provide regular musical opportunities for 0 - 5 year olds. 

If you're a practitioner working in early years settings, and looking for funding to support music activities where you work, your project could be eligible for funding through the First Steps open programme.

First Steps funding criteria

If you apply for the First Steps programme, your proposal must:

• Include creative music activities incorporating simple instruments, voice and movement.

• Include structured music activities that are planned to develop children's skills and lead to a smooth transition to primary school.
  
  
• Include sharing music-making with parents and carers. First Steps aims to influence parents and carers to show that music-making is a fun learning tool and a natural part of growing. This does not necessarily mean that they have to be present at each workshop.
  
  
• Involve a skilled early years music specialist who is prepared to work with trainees (staff or parents) to hand on skills with the aim of ensuring that those staff and parents build confidence in music-making and can lead if and when the specialist's involvement comes to an end.
  
  
• Include weekly, progressive group music-making and music of more than one culture.
  
  
• Be for between £5,000 and £15,000 for a period of no less than 6 months and no more than 12 months.
  
  

  How to apply
  You can download the application form from Youth Music's website: http://www.youthmusic.org.uk/looking_for_funding/Open_programmes/First_steps.jsp

  Advice for applicants
  There is also supporting information on Youth Music's website for applicants, such as First Steps Hot Tips, and guidelines for repeat applicants. They are all available from the link below: http://www.youthmusic.org.uk/looking_for_funding/Open_programmes/First_steps.jsp

  Further information
  To see examples of current First Steps projects, you can search online at Youth Music: http://www.youthmusic.org.uk/eventSearch_new.jsp

  To speak to someone directly about the First Steps programme, you can call Youth Music on: 020 7902 1060 or email: info(at)youthmusic.org.uk

For more information on training and professional development, visit MusicLeader