Please find below a list of answers to commonly asked questions.  You can click on the links below to skip to this section.  If the answer to the question you are looking for is not here, please email our National Recruitment Manager, Diana Acheson on diana@kindermusik.com.au.

• Training - Can I spread it out over more than 15 weeks? | Can I do it more quickly than 15 weeks? | How many hours do you think are required to set aside to complete the training apart from the chatroom? | When it says training is 5-8 hours per week, is it all required online or can the material be downloaded and "studied" offline?  | Would dial-up internet connection be sufficient or would broadband be required? | I am worried about the singing review. What if I don't pass? |
  Do teachers sing totally unaccompanied in class or are there backing CD's?
• Teaching - Lesson plans | Do you have children enrol at the start of the course only ie Term 1 week 1, or are they able to enter a class midway through? | Can I see a sample lesson plan?
• Costs - What does the $795 for training cover?  | Does my teacher/educator license cover new programs that start in the future? | Do all my purchases for instruments need to be from Kindermusik? | How much will the other age groups cost to get up and running as far as instruments/props go?
• About Kindermusik - The Kindermusik Philosophy | Is Kindermusik a Franchise?
• Running my own business - How would I manage a Kindermusik business?

Training Answers

Can I spread the training over more than 15 weeks?

The length of training is 15 weeks in an online classroom. After this period of time, the classroom is closed and there is not an opportunity to continue within the classroom. If circumstances arise that delay you completing the course, you can transfer to another group for a fee of $75.00.

Can I do the course more quickly than 15 weeks?

Yes! While the course is designed to be done one lesson per week - 8 lessons in all, there is nothing to stop you “fast tracking” your studies and doing more than one lesson per week. In some instances, teachers need to be licensed by a certain time. The requirements for licensing are that you have to complete all requirements to the end of lesson 8 plus a singing review. There is no minimum timeframe to accomplish this. It depends on the time you have available to study.

How many hours do you think are required to set aside to complete the training apart from the chatroom?

It depends on the person and how easy they find study on the internet. The average is between 5 - 8 hours per week. Some spend more some spend less. There are only 8 lessons over the 15 weeks giving you plenty of time to put everything you have learned into practice. The assignments are not long - certainly no essay writing. If you have studied online before, you will find it probably takes you less time. If you are not used to using the computer, or studying online, our virtual classrooms are user friendly and your mentor will help to guide you through the process.

I am worried about the singing review. What if I don't pass?

While singing unaccompanied is important in the Kindermusik classroom, you don't have to be a Barbara Streisand to pass the singing review. Our requirements are that you can keep your pitch and sing in the key the songs are written in. We have had many who have never sung before seek out singing lessons during training and pass their vocal reviews. If you have never sung before, a few singing lessons will be the best investment you ever make. Your mentor will also have some tips for you as far as singing is concerned. Remember that failing physical restrictions (such as damaged vocal chords etc) most people can learn to sing.  

Do teachers sing totally unaccompanied in class or are there backing CD's?

There is a combination of both. Yes, teachers have to sing some songs unaccompanied. Singing unaccompanied is an important part of the lessons. For example, for a Hello song, we sing and substitute the names of each individual child with a different action. Obviously you couldn't do that with a recording. There are other things we sing without backing too. This helps the children learn to pitch. There is music every lesson for dancing and instrument plays - these of course have backing in all different genres. ALL the songs (including the ones we sing acapella in class) are on the children's home CDs with full instrumental backing, so they have every song and rhyme we do in class at home. So, there is a combination of both in each lesson.

When it says training is 5-8 hours per week, is it all required online or can the material be downloaded and "studied" offline?
Yes, a majority of the course can be completed off-line, simply print off your lessons and complete - once you have completed your answer - just copy and paste straight into the Web Classroom when online.   You will also need to be online for the chats.  There is some reading required whilst online as well.  We supply you with DVD's books and CD's which all make up the course.  

Would dial-up internet connection be sufficient or would broadband be required?
When you get your information pack, it will include DVDs, CDs and books. The 5 - 8 hours is mostly offline in your reading and composing of your assignments (which are not large - some might only be a few words, others are maybe half a page). The online work would consist of posting your assignments (which can be quick especially if you construct your assignments in a word processing program and then just copy and paste it online) and then the online chats which are about every 2 weeks in the evening for 1 hour. We have had many people successfully complete training on dial up - even one of our mentors uses dial up so your internet speed won't be a problem.

Teaching Answers

Can I see a sample lesson plan?
All Kindermusik lesson plans are copyrighted and are not available to those that are not licensed educators. Some information you may find useful on our Teachers Guides are that they are minute by minute, lesson by lesson plans which include everything you need to know to teach the program professionally.  In fact, your Teachers Kits also contain lyric charts, posters for the classroom and classroom manipulatives related to that particular curricula among other things.  They are a very complete and comprehensive package.

Music therapy - is there an additional program or is it included in the mainstream class material?

Because the program is balanced and really addresses getting the neural wiring and brain activity going, that by just teaching the program, it is possible to help ALL children with a multiple set of needs. An educator might have to think outside the square as to how a child with special needs might do an activity but generally by working with the parents, all children can participate.  The program as it is, is profoundly successful for all children BUT as an educator, you have within the program the flexibility to put in your own knowledge and personality.  When a licensed educator has a question, the question can be put onto our private loop to receive feedback from all educators from a variety of backgrounds. It is a support network for qualified Kindermusik teachers and a great place for answers and ideas.

Are any vocals on the CD's American voices?

Yes we have vocals from America but Kindermusik is a multicultural program with recordings made from all over the world.  We have just recorded some more Australian voices  which being added to CDs. We look forward to when they will be released in the future.

Are there programs (ie Teachers Kits, CD's etc) specially designed for preschools?
We have special programs for childcare centres and preschools where parents are not present. This is called  “ABC Music and Me”.  Check out the "Our Program" section of our website for information on this program.

Do you have children enrol at the start of the course only ie Term 1 week 1, or are they able to enter a class midway through?
With Kindermusik you can start a child at any time during the semester. It is easy to pro-rata the fees for them for when they start. Our semesters are also non sequential so anyone can join at any time.

If a child reaches 7yrs and has been through the Kindermusik program for a couple of years does this ready them to pursue tuition of a musical instrument?
The Young Child program is a great transition to private music instruction on any instrument. Children learn basic principles - feeling time signatures through moving to music, reading traditional notation, rhythm etc. They experiment with ensemble playing, get to explore and experiment with different instruments such as percussion (glockenspiel), strings (dulcimer), and woodwind (recorder). We do African drumming, Japanese music, scat singing, a bit of ballet, jazz ballet and classical ballet. We do jazz, classical composers etc. They get a bit of everything. They emerge musical children who have experienced a lot of things who, through exploration usually know which instrument they want to study at the conclusion of the course.

About Kindermusik Answers

What is the philosophy of Kindermusik?

Rather than being restricted to one philosophy, Kindermusik recognises the uniqueness of children and that their learning styles vary. Kindermusik takes the best of all philosophies and joins them together in a balanced set of activities. The way we teach singing is Kodaly based, some movement activities express the ideas of Dalcrose. There are philosophies from Orff, Piaget, Vygotsky and other leading educationalists and musicians. Rather than being one philosophy, Kindermusik embraces the best of all philosophies and aims for the best learning environment for its students.

Is Kindermusik a franchise?

Kindermusik is not a franchise. As such you don't have to pay ongoing fees. Teachers are not given geographical areas. Areas are opened when people want to train to become educators and then start businesses in those areas. Our teachers pay a yearly licensing fee to Kindermusik International (2007 fee was $195) and in return enjoy benefits such as National Marketing, Web advertising, peer support, access to the teachers lounge both here and on the International Lounge just to name a few. 

How could I compete with another program?

We have successful Kindermusik studios very close to other music programs but Kindermusik offers a program that is different to these programs. It doesn't mean that students will leave other programs to come to Kindermusik, but some parents will want the choice of what Kindermusik offers.

For instance:

• Our home materials are second to none.
• Our parent education is something that is different from other programs too.
• Our parents are taught every lesson through Foundations of Learning (the brain research behind the activities and what they are doing for their child).
• Our program covers all learning domains using music, movement, drama and instrument play as a vehicle. We offer balanced activities to enhance the cognitive, emotional, social, musical, language and physical development.
• A lot of other programs offer activities that concentrate on a couple of areas but not all in a balanced way.
• Our classes are small (8-12 depending on the age group) and always with parent participation.
• Whether it be a parent in the class for the whole time (birth - 3 years) or for the last 15 mins of the lesson for sharing time (4 - 7 years).
• Our premise is that the parent is the child's most valuable teacher and so this interaction is vital.
• We are proudly the World's leading early childhood music and movement program with over 30 years experience.
• Our Research and Development is always working to keep us in touch with what is best for the child. I know nothing about business and marketing.

Costs

What does the $795 for training cover?

The $795 pays for your training covers your seat in the online classroom, online chats, participation with a learning group, a mentor to guide you through the 15 weeks as you set up your business and all books, CDs, videos etc that you need for training.

Does my teacher/educator license cover new programs that start in the future?

Yes it does. In fact, Kindermusik is always coming out with new programs.

Do all my purchases for instruments need to be from Kindermusik?

No. We recommend you check pricing to make sure that you are getting a good buy (although we are constantly told we are very reasonable). It is good business to offer musical instruments and other items for retail and with our affiliates program you can without holding any stock!  Most students will want to have some or all instruments available for them to use at home. Once again, they don't HAVE to be Kindermusik brand but some of our instruments are unique.

What expenses will I have after I have trained?

Once you are licensed, you will need to purchase teacher's kits, instruments etc to teach your classes. There will be a “fundamentals special” that you will be offered that is a heavily discounted package with classroom instruments, teacher's kits and more. This is around $1,750.00. You don't have to buy this kit at all, it is merely an easy option that is only every presented once to newly licensed teachers.

It includes:

• 2 Teachers Kits for 2 different age groups (of your choice - so that would be 1/2 a year of lessons)
• 3 x Home Materials for each of those curricula for families you introduce to Kindermusik)
• The Essential Instrument Kit and the Required Instrument Kit for each of the age groups you have chosen.
• Marketing Materials (brochures etc)

You can certainly opt to just buy the Teachers Kit you require (which also includes a copy of the At Home Materials), which are from $110 each and get your instruments separately, but if you wanted to, the fundamentals special is available to those who wish to purchase it. With regards to the "Fundamentals Special Kit” which 2 age groups do the materials cover? You get the choice of which 2 age groups you want.

Our age groups are:

• Birth - 18 months
• 18 months - 3 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 5 - 7 years

How much will the remaining 2 age groups cost to get up and running as far as instrumentation?
It is hard to say as it would depend on which age groups you chose first. A lot of the classroom instruments are used for ALL classes - for eg. egg shakers, bells, sticks, scarves are staples for each age group (no sticks in the babies group though). There would be other things you might need like sand blocks, drums etc but not every semester. Each semester may require something on top of the usual ones we use so you might not need certain things every semester. Hoops are something else we use. As far as Teacher's Kits go, they range from $110 to $155 each if that is any help.

Running your own business answers

How would I manage a Kindermusik business?
In training you will learn how to market your program and how to address your key market audience. Through our “Business Basics” you will learn how to grow a profitable Kindermusik business from the ground up, step by step. You will have the support of a mentor during training and fellow teachers once you graduate. Both head office here in Australia and Kindermusik International offer a huge amount of marketing support in the way of ad campaigns that you can use, press releases, photo galleries etc.

To see when our next Learning Group is starting please click here: 

http://www.kindermusik.com.au/html/cms/140/kindermusik-study-groups