COMMUNITY PARTNERS
UEL BabyDevLab is proud to work with the wider East London community, in close collaboration with independent organisations through to East London councils. Our work with local schools, nurseries and infant groups gives us the opportunity to give back and help shape policy and behaviour with cutting edge science. Below are some of the recent projects. If you would like to know more, or if you would like to partner with us, please contact us.
Newham Learning is a non-profit partnership of 40 schools in the borough of Newham. Newham has the 5th highest rate of child poverty in London and the lowest life expectancy of all London boroughs. The partnership needs evidence-informed ways to tackle these challenges. The 40 schools in the partnership work together to enhance school improvement, to provide research-informed training for school staff and to make best use of resources to improve the educational outcomes and life chances for children in their schools.
Fennies Nurseries is a group of nurseries across the South-East of the UK. They are leading deliverers of evidence-based early years childcare. Their approach has evolved over our 28 years but, has always remained focused on children’s needs and development and effective practitioner interaction.
Little Sing Song is a parent group for babies and toddlers but also their grown ups to have a sing song to some of their favourite songs (sometimes with ukulele accompaniment when my son allows me to use my hands!)
Born from a love of children’s classics but also a longing to attend concerts with my babies, these sessions don’t just include your little one’s favourite nursery rhymes but your song requests too.
Discover Children’s Story Centre is a place where children and their families can enjoy playing, learning and making up stories together. Discover is the UK’s first Story Centre for children aged 0-11 and their families. As a not for profit organisation, their aim is to support a love of language, literature and stories.
At the heart of the centre, purpose-built Story Worlds and a Story Garden are creative play spaces designed to inspire children’s curiosity and imagination. Discover’s Story Builders lead performed exhibition sessions and 0-3’s Storytelling events, and pop up in the Story Worlds and Story Garden to tell more tales.
Changing annually, Discover’s interactive exhibitions immerse families in the worlds of their favourite authors and illustrators, from Michael Rosen to Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler to Judith Kerr. The current exhibition features the work of award-winning Rob Biddulph and an unusual and mysterious hotel. In April 2023 a space-themed exhibition created with Dapo Adeola and Tọlá Okogwu will open.
School of noise uses a wide variety of analogue and digital machines in their activities. Workshops include exploring the science of sound, playing on unusual instruments such as the waterphone and theremin, composing experimental sound art, Foley sound design, field recording, conducting orchestras of fruit and vegetables, soundwalks, learning about acoustic ecology plus more.
There is no need to have experience playing music or using any of our equipment to take part in the workshops. We aim to make our activities accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
To date we have delivered workshops in a wide variety of locations including primary schools, colleges, WOMAD, End Of The Road, Green Man and Latitude festivals, the British Library, BAFTA, BBC Radio 4, Barbican Centre, Southbank Centre, V&A Museum of Childhood, Museum of London, National Media Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Cheltenham Science Festival, Great Ormond Street Hospital School, Scouts, Tricycle Theatre, RSA, Barnes Film Festival, Royal Institution, Music for Youth, National Portrait Gallery, Selfridges, Dulwich Picture Gallery. We have also travelled to China, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Oman, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.
Musical Miniatures is an evolving Music Education organisation run by musician, qualified teacher and early years specialist, Jenny Milway. Their specialist Early Years programme is now in its 6th year and is packed full of music and fun. Jenny brings her specialist knowledge and understanding of young children and their development, integrating this into engaging, fun, and exciting music classes. She teaches a mixture of familiar and new songs, using a range of props including musical instruments, puppets, chiffon scarves, and parachutes. Jenny also performs live on a range of instruments and provides opportunities to dance and move with your little ones.
At Family Massage and Yoga, Laura teaches Developmental Baby Massage courses, for babies from 6 weeks old to crawling, and Soft Baby Yoga courses, for babies (from 4 months old) and their parent/carer. Massage and yoga have many benefits for both baby and parent/carer, and these classes are small, welcoming, and relaxed! Laura teaches on a Friday at Mornington Hall Chingford E4. Outside of Laura’s classes, she has worked within the NHS since 2009, as part of the Health Visiting and School Nursing Teams supporting children and families within the local borough. With her qualification in childcare, NNEB level 3, Laura has worked in nurseries, and with children from birth to 19 years old. Please do get in touch with Laura for more information on course dates and any questions! Her email is familymassageandyoga@hotmail.com