Hello! This is Joanne from Play On Education and as the first blog post told you a little about the company Play On Education, it would be nice to introduce myself properly too.
I live in a small village in Worcestershire with my husband and son. We are completely snowed in at the moment as I’m sure you can well imagine! My working life has always been very busy with over ten years experience of working in mainstream education as a school teacher and music co-ordinator, whilst also working evenings and weekends as a private piano and theory of music teacher. On the birth of my son I had intended to continue my work as a school teacher part-time, but as the end of maternity leave drew nearer and nearer I could see that I had a huge decision to make. I have always had a strong interest in early years music education, in the effects that musical experiences have on the very young and alongside the continuing professional development provided by various schools I have worked in, I have also sought out further specialised courses to learn more about this area of music education and child development.
Having a baby is such a life changing experience and is the perfect time to reassess your goals in life. I decided that it was the perfect time in my life to make big changes – after all I had already gone through the biggest change of all! My piano teaching business has been very steady for years and has helped to make all of this, (my new business!), possible. I have been able to continue teaching piano whilst growing the business in other directions. The plan has been to expand my teaching to include Music Kindergarten classes, (accommodating babies and children from newborn to 7 years of age), with baby, toddler and preschool music classes to introduce children to musical activity in a fun and age specific way. My plan has also involved selling early years educational items, both to parents and other educators and the most recent addition has been the inclusion of baby signing classes, to help parents to communicate with their little ones prior to speech.
So where are we now? Well, following some online promotion and demonstration courses throughout the latter half of 2010, we are now approaching a full launch of the business. New music classes for the baby and toddler age, aswell as baby signing classes will be starting in Bewdley, Kidderminster, Worcester and Pershore areas in the new year. The logo has been designed and my company name has changed from ‘Music Palace’ to ‘Play On Education’ to incorporate all of the different aspects of the new business, (music, education, educational & musical toys, and the list goes on …….). I have been told that my new website will be online in two weeks, and finally it’s all starting to come together! So here’s to a lovely Christmas holiday with the family and to starting a fantastic new year with a brand new fully launched business in 2011!
