We’re delighted to share highlights from our recent trip to Afrikaya Nursery School in New Yundum, The Gambia, where we had the privilege of working with children and teaching staff at the School. Building on the success of our 2022/2023 project, this visit marked the beginning of an exciting new creative and cultural programme for early years children, supported by Arts Council England.

A Creative Collaboration Across Cultures

Our previous collaboration with Afrikaya Nursery School focused on developing a fantastic set of resources that celebrated children’s favorite songs from both The Gambia and the UK. This time, we expanded our vision to introduce a broader exploration of art forms. The new programme invites young learners to discover the richness of aspects of West African culture through music, storytelling, and performance.

Inspiring Artists Leading the Way

A key highlight of the project is the involvement of hugely talented Gambian artists and workshop facilitators. The renowned kora harpist Ansumana Suso and talented percussionist Musa M’Boob joined forces with an inspiring team of UK-based practitioners to deliver engaging and immersive sessions. Together, they brought the sounds, rhythms, and stories of West Africa to life, captivating the children and teaching staff alike.

Playful Storytelling and a Celebration Assembly

Thanks to the dedication of the teaching staff at Afrikaya Nursery School, workshops were co-planned and co-delivered, ensuring a collaborative and meaningful experience for all involved. Children participated in playful storytelling sessions, where they explored their creativity and built confidence in expressing themselves. The project culminated in a joyous celebration assembly, where the children showcased their new skills through music and storytelling performances for the whole school and special guests.

Looking Ahead: Resources and CPD Opportunities

As part of this ongoing initiative, we’re working on an updated set of teaching and learning resources to support staff at Afrikaya Nursery School and beyond. These resources will provide valuable tools for integrating creative and cultural education into the early years curriculum. In addition, we’ll be sharing these resources in upcoming CPD sessions in Nottingham, in partnership with Cultural Education Partnership, ChalleNGe Nottingham.

A Big Thank You

We’re deeply grateful to the teaching staff at Afrikaya Nursery School for their enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to making this project a success. Their collaboration has been instrumental in delivering workshops that resonate with the children and celebrate the cultural heritage of The Gambia. We’re excited about the prospect of working together again in the future to continue nurturing creativity and cultural understanding in early years education.

Stay tuned for updates on our resources and CPD sessions coming up in May 2025.