The funding scheme, First Steps, has been launched by the charity Youth Music to give the under-fives access to high-quality music provision.
Classic FM radio is supporting the project by airing special programmes with musicians who run workshops for young children and playing a wide selection of music for the early years.
Nurseries, EYDCPs, Sure Start programmes and other organisations can apply from 1 July for grants between 5,000 and 15,000 to pay for the services of a skilled early years music specialist. To be eligible, they must provide weekly creative music-making activities lasting from six to 12 months.
Helen Price, assistant officer for Youth Music, said, 'Nursery staff don't need to be experts in leading music, but they will need to have plenty of enthusiasm and be able to demonstrate how activities will benefit the children.'
Application forms can be downloaded at www.youthmusic. org.uk, or phone 020 7902 1074.
