Welcome to Honco Monco!

Each 45-minute class brings families of all ages together for singing, movement, musical play and plenty of silliness. We sing a varied selection of songs from around the world, with every class bookended by our much-loved ritual Hello/Shwmae and Goodbye/Hwyl Fawr songs. Some weeks we’ll play with egg shakers and rhythm sticks; others we’ll wave dancing scarves, bang on our big gathering drums, or explore the sounds of different instruments.

Every week includes a group play-along and chances to dance together around the room. No two classes are quite the same - our child-led approach means your teacher, Rhian, takes suggestions and ideas as they arise, skillfully weaving them into the songs and activities and creating plenty of opportunities for spontaneity, silliness and happy connection. There’s no pressure to perform or get anything “right” as everyone is welcome to join in at their own pace.

Most importantly, each class is designed to leave you feeling uplifted and energised, while giving you simple ideas, songs and inspiration to take home and continue making music together as a family.

Music, movement and storytelling are some of the oldest ways we have of learning, playing and connecting with one another. At Honco Monco, we bring that simple idea into every class. Children love repetition - hearing a favourite song again, knowing what comes next, and joining in more each time. Repetition helps your child learn new skills and make connections, while our playful, flexible approach gives them plenty of opportunities to explore and follow their own ideas. By singing and participating in class, you are helping your child feel a sense of familiarity and security, helping them naturally develop their understanding of rhythm, pitch, melody, rhyme, memory and listening. We’re building musical brains, confident little people and a lifelong relationship with music.

But - it’s not just about what your child learns. Making music together is a wonderful way to connect. For thousands of years, we’ve used music, movement and shared rituals to pass on stories, knowledge and skills, and to strengthen community.

You are your child’s favourite teacher! They’re constantly watching, copying and learning from you. So what better way to show them that singing, moving and making music are joyful ways to express yourself than by doing it together?

You’ll never be put on the spot or expected to perform. Your only job is to join in and follow along with Rhian, who’ll guide you every step of the way.

You don’t need to be a “good singer” or know what you’re doing. Your child doesn’t need a perfect performance, they just want you to be part of the fun!

None whatsoever! All singing voices are welcome at Honco Monco. You don’t need to be a confident singer, know how to read music or have any previous musical experience.

We know that singing in front of other people can feel a little unfamiliar at first, especially if you’re not used to it. Rhian will guide you through the songs, melodies, chants and rhythms in a relaxed, accessible and fun way, so you can simply follow along. There’s no audition, certainly no right or wrong and definitely no solos (unless you want one!). Just come as you are, embrace your voice and have fun making music with your family.

Please know that this is absolutely fine. There is never any expectation for your child to join in with every activity, or even to join in at all.

Children often press their internal “record” button during class, taking in the songs, sounds, movements and everything happening around them. Then, later at home - when they’re in a more familiar, comfortable or quiet environment - they might press their internal “play” button and suddenly surprise you with a song, movement or idea from class!

Rest assured your child is always watching and always learning from you and what’s happening around them. However they choose to process and participate is completely up to them. Some children jump straight in while others prefer to watch, observe and take their time. Your child might become fascinated by one particular instrument, wander around the room, have a cuddle, dance in their own way or simply enjoy watching everyone else. All learning is welcome at Honco Monco!

Absolutely - every child is welcome at Honco Monco. We will always do our best to make your family feel comfortable, included and supported in class. If your child has additional needs, a disability, or there’s anything you’d like us to know before you come along, please get in touch. We’re very happy to have a chat beforehand and think together about anything that might help your family feel more comfortable.

CF61 is an accessible venue with facilities to support people with additional needs. If you have any specific accessibility questions, please ask Rhian before your first class and she’ll be happy to help.

All children are wonderfully different. They don’t need to be the same age to learn, play and make music together. A mixed-age environment reflects the way families naturally learn together, creating a more nurturing and relaxed atmosphere. Rather than feeling compared to a room full of same-age peers, children can explore instruments, experiment with their voices and join in at their own pace, building confidence in a space where they feel safe to be themselves. Everyone has something to learn and something to offer.

It also creates a lovely, relaxed family atmosphere. Siblings can encourage one another, friendships can grow, with grown-ups getting to share the experience too. And there’s a big practical bonus for families: if you have more than one child aged 6 or under, they can all come to the same class! No different sessions, no choosing who gets to come, just one joyful morning of music for the whole family.

Yes! Babies 9 months and under can attend a Honco Monco class for free with a sibling registered in a class.

Absolutely not! Babies are welcome from birth. In fact, your baby has already been listening to your voice and the rhythms and sounds around them since before they were born. You might notice your baby watching you closely, moving their arms or legs, becoming more alert, making little sounds or simply relaxing into the music. These are all lovely ways babies begin to experience and respond to music and Rhian will help you spot and enjoy these little moments. And there’s no pressure for your baby to “do” anything. They can cuddle, wriggle, feed, sleep, watch or simply take it all in - they’re learning just by being there with you. Most importantly, your voice is your baby’s favourite instrument. Singing, humming, bouncing and moving together are simple ways to connect, have fun and give your baby a wonderful musical start.

Older siblings of registered children are welcome to join us during the term if they have an inset day or school holiday - please just let us know before class.

We keep our classes small and welcoming, with a maximum of 12 families or 15 children - whichever comes first. Because we’re a mixed-age class, numbers and ages can vary from week to week and term to term. Some families may also bring more than one child, so every class has its own lovely mix of little ones.

You are welcome to bring more than one adult with you to class at no extra charge. Visiting family members, your friend or partner or spouse - the more the merrier! We love having plenty of grown-ups to join in.

For our first term, we’re offering a special new-business taster price:

🍂 Harvest Mouse Taster Term 🐭
11 weeks · Mondays 5 October–14 December

• First child: £7 per class / £77* for the full term
• Additional siblings: £2.50 per class / £27.50 for the full term
• *First class free: Use our free-trial offer and your first child’s term fee is reduced to £70

Rhian will send your family a playlist with songs we are singing in class, so that you can explore and sing them yourselves during the week.

If you join us partway through the term, you’ll only pay for the classes we have left. Our booking system automatically calculates the fee for you, so your price is pro-rata from the date you join.

Honco Monco Music follows The Vale of Glamorgan school terms, with special holiday and half term classes taking place throughout the year.

Currently, our classes take place at the beautiful CF61 Community Centre, right in the centre of Llantwit Major town, although we have plans to set up future classes in other locations across The Vale of Glamorgan!

Classes take place in the Hoddnant Room at CF61 Centre. If you come through the main entrance, it’s the first door on your left. Rhian will be there to greet your family.

CF61 has its own free on-site car park and is within walking distance of the train station and local bus stops. Plus, there are lots of cafes nearby for after-class lattes and babychinos!

We recommend you bring a water bottle and wear clothes you’re comfortable sitting in and moving around in. All instruments and props are provided by your teacher. Some children like to bring their favourite toy which is always welcome (we sing hello to all visiting toys during the hello song, too!). If you’re bringing a baby to class, you may consider bringing a blanket for them to lay on.

Water, breastfeeding and baby bottles are all welcome during class. We want everyone to feel comfortable and have what they need.

To help us keep the class space safe and comfortable for everyone, we ask that solid food is enjoyed before or after class, outside the classroom. This helps us minimise the risk of allergies, cross-contamination and choking while we’re busy singing, moving and playing. If your little one needs to eat during class, that’s totally normal and not an issue - we simply ask that you step outside for a moment and rejoin us when you’re finished!

For now, classes are only available to book for a term. This helps us all build a sense of familiarity and connection which makes Honco Monco classes special. Term enrolment also gives families time to see the learning benefits of classes as the weeks go by. Children get to know the songs, the routines and the people around them, and families have the chance to become part of a community. A reminder that your family is very welcome to try a class free of charge before booking in for a term.

None of us feel happy all the time, and little ones have big feelings!

If your child needs a cuddle, a cry or a little bit of space, that’s completely normal and absolutely okay. They might feel better after a cwtch with you, or they might need a little time away from the action. You’re always welcome to find a quiet spot in the room, or step outside for a moment if that feels right for your family. If your child is having a particularly big moment and needs a little more space, Rhian may gently suggest stepping outside together for a breather.

There’s absolutely no need to feel embarrassed or apologise if this happens as big feelings are part of being little and we’ll always treat them with kindness.

Your child is welcome to move freely around the class. As long as everyone is safe, we’re happy for children to explore, wander, dance, wiggle and find their own way of joining in. The one thing we do gently discourage is running, because we have instruments, equipment and other little ones moving around the room and we want to keep everybody safe.

If your little one has a strong need to run, we completely understand. Running is a very natural and developmentally appropriate way for young children to move. Rather than simply asking them to stop, Rhian will gently encourage them towards other ways of getting their energy out, such as jumping, rolling, stomping, skipping, dancing and wiggling. We’re all here to support your child, so there’s no need to worry if they’re on the move. At Honco Monco, movement is part of the music!

We understand that little babies need plenty of sleep and we can’t really plan when they decide it’s time for a nap! If your baby peacefully falls asleep during class, that’s absolutely fine and totally normal. They’re welcome to snooze while you stay and enjoy the music. Rhian will encourage you to keep joining in while your little one sleeps nearby. In fact, there’s something rather lovely about a baby sleeping through a room full of singing and music. If you’re in the opposite position with your baby waking up halfway through, that’s fine too - they can take their time adjusting and rejoin the fun whenever they’re ready.

There is space just outside the classroom where you can leave your pram during class.

If your little one is asleep when you arrive, you’re also welcome to bring them into the classroom in their buggy and let them snooze while you join us.

We hope you’ll love your time at Honco Monco, but we know that every family is different and sometimes something simply isn’t the right fit.

If you come along to your first class and decide it’s not for you, please let us know straight afterwards. We’ll cancel your enrolment and you’ll only pay for the class/es taken place so far that term.

When you book a term, your place is reserved for your family for the full block of classes. Because our classes have limited spaces, we’re unable to offer refunds or credits for individual classes that you’re unable to attend.

If you can’t make a particular week, you’re very welcome to send a friend or family member in your place. Just let us know beforehand so we know who to expect.

If you need to cancel your booking before the term begins, please give us at least 48 hours’ notice before the first class. We’ll then cancel your booking and issue a full refund. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice, or after the term has begun, are non-refundable. This notice period gives us the best chance of offering your place to another family.

We encourage everyone to put their phones away during class so we can all be as present as possible with our children and with each other. Think of it as a little opportunity to switch off, leave your worries outside and enjoy the music.

If you’re expecting an important call, need to keep an eye on your phone, or have another reason you need to have it with you, that’s absolutely no problem - please just let Rhian know beforehand.

During class we kindly ask that phones and cameras stay away. This helps everyone be fully present with their family and, importantly, ensures all families feel comfortable and have their privacy respected. You’re very welcome to take photos before or after class, and Rhian may occasionally take photos for Honco Monco with families’ prior permission.

In order to keep everyone as safe and well as possible, we kindly ask that you do not attend class if you or your child are unwell. Thank you for helping us look after one another.

If you would like to gift Honco Monco Music classes to a family you care about, please send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to arrange this for you.