Hello, I’m Eve Kay. I run Jo Jingles classes in the Mid Cheshire area. Along with my class teachers, Sue, Jackie, Tracey, Katherine and Cheryl, I currently hold classes in Tarporley, Chester, Frodsham, Hartford, Helsby, Hough, Kelsall, Knutsford, Mold, Nantwich, Sandiway, Winsford and Wrexham.

We also provide classes for nurseries, schools and children's centres in the area.

Children in Need 2009 Update

We have raised a phenomenal £3500 through your sponsorship and donations. Stella Photography also gave 20% of their sales to the Children in Need Appeal.

On behalf of Eve, Sue, Jackie, Tracey, Cheryl, Katherine and of course JO we would like to thank you very much for all support.

What Happens at Jo Jingles?

Jo Jingles is the country’s leading music and movement experience. We aim to provide a fun and creative introduction to music for babies and young children. Jo Jingles teaches children to play percussion instruments expressively, to sing songs and find the rhythm to move and dance too. Most importantly it is a really lovely time for you and your child to spend together. In each class we play two different percussion instruments. Over a term the children will play bells, maracas, drums, tambourines, cymbals, triangles, guiros, claves…………….and have lots of fun with props such as parachutes, bubbles, streamers and other toys and pictures.

What are the classes like?

The 45 minute Jo Jingles sessions are age specific and are held weekly in school term time. Classes usually contain no more than 15 children in each class. Each session is designed to take into account the ability and attention span for each age group and the children love the pre-school themes that we use each week for Jo’s adventures – such as the safari park, transport, spring time garden and learning colours.

We insist that parents and carers stay with their children throughout the class and join in as much as possible. This provides quality time together and helps to build your child’s confidence and co-ordination. However, through structured activities, children are encouraged to work together and come to the front of the class to help them to interact and develop their social skills.

How does Jo Jingles help your child?

Music is vital to child’s development . It helps to

• develop language and numeracy skills
• improve physical co-ordination
• introduce children to routine and discipline
• gain confidence and independence
• interact and develop social skills

“Singing songs to your child widens their vocabulary and improves listening skills, both of which makes learning to read easier” Professor John Sloboda, Keele University.

"Jo JIngles has provided a wealth of opportunity across the six area of learning (foundation stage). To witness 3 and 4 year olds in a nursery setting listen and respond, as they develop confidence in their ability, is truly inspirational." Dawn Davies and June Morris teachers at St Mary's C of E School and Nursery, Runcorn.

The following, very-moving email was received by Jo Jingles Head Office. I reproduce it here with Denise Alexander's kind permission.

Dear Sir/Madam

I felt I had to write to you to let you know about how much of a star our Jo Jingles teacher has been over the past few months.

My daughter Jennifer has being attending Jo Jingles in Jo Crows, Blakemere, Cheshire, since she was about 20 months old. She is now nearly four. She has a congenital heart condition and had a major operation as a baby. This Easter, at only 3 years old, she had to have further open heart surgery to replace one of the valves in her heart. It was major surgery, necessitating an 8 hour operation and a potentially lengthy stay in hospital. We were all nervous but I wanted to make Jennifer feel as secure about going into hospital as possible, and to make her feel as at ease as possible despite it being a traumatic time for her. Jennifer was also very poorly in the three months leading up to the operation, as we waited for our turn at the top of the list. She had very little energy and was in considerable pain a lot of the time, on top of this, she had to be tube fed.

Our teacher, Eve Kay in Mid Cheshire was absolutely brilliant. Not only did she make sure that Jennifer was included in the classes as much as possible, so Jennifer enjoyed herself enormously and was able to make and keep friends even though she wasn't very well. But Eve also did a couple of special classes for Jennifer’s benefit. Jo went to the dentist, for example, where he had a mask and had people peering at him, and there was one when he was poorly and had to go to the doctor – Jo had to open his mouth or have the doctor listen to his heart. It sounds like a small matter, but for Jennifer, any contact with a medic or a nurse had become quite traumatic because she has had so many investigations in her short life so far, some of them painful. The classes Eve did at Jo Jingles were excellent on two levels. They really helped Jennifer feel less nervous, she could practise going to the doctor and also see other children enjoying themselves in this sort of context. Also, they helped me enormously, because when we were in the hospital I could sing the songs with Jennifer, and remind her of the classes, making us both feel more at ease.

Her operation was extremely successful, and she was discharged from hospital over the Easter break and only had to miss one class.

Jennifer’s Jo Jingles classes were, and still are, the highlight of her week. Now she can enjoy them even more as she is pain free and full of energy.
With best wishes
Denise Alexander

Here is what a teacher of 6 years said before she left Jo Jingles:

I'm just writing to say what an absolute pleasure it has been to work for Eve Kay. Her programmes are excellent with fresh ideas and lively new material to use. She is great to work for - always understanding, encouraging and very professional in the way she runs the business…..I am very sad to leave Jo Jingles and I will continue to sing its praises to all I meet. I have had a wonderful time and would like to wish the company all the very best.
Thank you.
Cath Clarke

And this is what the new teacher says:

I have taken two of my children to Jo Jingles classes since they were small and it has always been a very enjoyable experience that we have shared.  I was keen to join Eve in teaching the classes, working in a rewarding job that fits around my family life, but could never have imagined how rewarding the work would be. Combining different locations that I teach in from nurseries, parent classes, children's centres and parties, with the children being so natural and expressive, plus a different theme each week – I am never bored.
Tracey Smith

Job Opportunities

We are always looking for potential class teachers. Jo Jingles class teachers would be confident, outgoing and enjoy working with young children. This part time work fits easily around family life or may suit a semi-retired person. For further information please contact Eve on 01928 739966.