KATIE NEILSON
Little Bees
Little Bees has been delivering music classes to Hertford’s babies, toddlers and their grown-ups for nearly 20 years now!
Learning happens through play and Little Bees classes are packed with songs, dances, rhymes, instruments, puppets and lots and lots of fun!
Expect a combination of well-known and new songs that are guaranteed to become firm favourites with the whole family!
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Book Classes
All Little Bees classes are run by Katie who chooses activities carefully to build on parent’s and young children’s innate musicality. Music brings happiness and promotes well-being and families find they use and adapt the songs and rhymes throughout the week (and very often for many years to come!) in their play, to support day to day activity and in response to their child’s experiences, tastes and changing emotions.
Mixed Age Classes
Classes at BEAM are for 0-4yrs.
Tuesday and Friday mornings (Term time only)
Katie tailors each activity to the needs and preferences of the individual children, whatever their age. Parents report that their children enjoy working alongside and learning from their older and younger friends. Resource bags are loaned to each family and include puppets, scarves and instruments.
Classes last 40-45 minutes.
Book for the new term (September - December 2024)
Depending on availability, Katie will make trial spaces available a week before the the start of term (the button below takes you to the general booking page with all classes and availability).
If you have any booking requests that don't appear in the app, please contact Katie. If the app doesn't allow you to book please also contact Katie as she isn't always brilliant at updating it weekly (but she is a great teacher and that's what is important of course!)
Baby Classes
Baby Class
Katie isn't currently running baby-specific classes - but please know that babies are really welcome at the classes above!
Parenting Courses and Classes
Parenting courses and classes
Following recent research with the Centre for Research into Early Childhood, Katie has developed a new kind of baby class that focuses on the parents/carers. These ‘musical parenting’ classes will help you recognise how you are already making a huge impact on your child’s musical development and empower you to take the lead in your child’s musical education:
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Find out about the amazing musical world of babies and their parents
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Learn about the latest research in Early Childhood Music;
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Sing, dance, listen and engage musically with your baby;
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Connect with other families and share musical experiences and ideas
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Chat over coffee/tea and cake
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Learn songs rhymes and musical activities
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Build on your own innate musical skills
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Grow in confidence and learn to trust your instincts
Please get in touch with Katie to either book a course for you and a group of friends or to find out when the next course is planned!
Katie is happy to discuss face-to-face or online courses.
If you have any questions, check the Little Bees FAQs page, or contact Katie who will happy to help.
Thank you for a great time at Little Bees. My granddaughter and I have enjoyed it in equal measure. We both look forward to coming and always leave buoyed up with all the songs and activities!
- Ruth, Hertford -
As a new parent, Katie’s classes have been a fantastic way to learn songs but also learn to interact with our baby girl. Katie gives great insight and personal experience on how to bring music into everyday life and educate our little girl and us in a fun way.
- Zach, Walthamstow -
Class Venues
Hertford Theatre
Little Bees started life in the village of Little Berkhamsted (known locally as Little B) in 2004 and moved to the River Room at Hertford Theatre in 2011. The theatre is temporarily closing in June 2021 ahead of a very exciting redevelopment programme! We are delighted to announce that Little Bees will move to The Quaker Room while the theatre is closed.
Quaker Room
This charming town centre space has been newly redecorated and is perfect for Little Bees classes! Access is through the courtyard and buggies can be parked in the entrance area. Parking is available in one of Hertford's public car parks.
Friends Meeting House, 50 Railway Street, Hertford SG14 1BA.
Mill House Studio
This light, bright and modern studio is the home to Little Bees baby classes. The Mill House is located on the Dicker Mill Estate next to the River Lea in Hertford. A 10 minute walk from the town centre and 5 minutes from Hertford East station with free parking (carpark at the end of Marshgate Drive).
Dicker Mill, Marshgate Drive, Hertford,
SG13 7JY