Hi. I know this is an old thread but I found it useful back in early 2018 when looking for Kodaly schools for my then 18month DD. So wanted to add my experience to it.
I applied to Guildhall and also to Colourstrings Roehampton, which I only learnt of via this thread (I also put a note in the diary to apply for RAM FS). I was offered a place at CS in the baby class so DD started just before her second birthday. It’s been a huge success. She’s just finished her 3rd kindergarten year and moves into the (all important) reception class in September.
Here are my thoughts.
They are a lovely, friendly and, most importantly, approachable organisation. They’ve had some challenges with the move to Kingston uni and have just moved campus to Kingston Vale, which most parents see as a really good outcome. Then there was Covid-19! They have, in my view, been incredible. Moving straight to online teaching and moving back to face-to-face teaching as soon as they were allowed.
Although starting DD this early has meant an extra 3 years of giving up Saturday mornings (for her daddy 😁) it means she bagged a place early, is used to going, knows everyone in her class and knows what she’s doing. Her teacher (Nod) has also done a great job teaching her to sit, listen and give-it-a-go. Her pre-school and nursery have both commented on this. So I do think the educational outcomes are far more than just musicality. Keep this in mind as those 3 years can seem very repetitive and make you question why you’re doing it this early.
The only real downside to Colourstrings is getting there. Unless you live nearby you need to drive and Richmond/Kingston traffic can be a pain. Lots of parents come up the M3 and from SW/West London. It’s not in the congestion zone and there’s plenty of free parking. If you do live in Kingston you may be able to go to the one after-school class they do in a local church hall… and reclaim your weekends up to Yr2! Covid did at least give us a bit of a break from the traffic so the 3 years hasn’t been as big a commitment as it could have been, but we were glad to get back to face-to-face!
Anyway just to say I didn’t bother applying for FS at RAM and have just turned down a place at GH (and got a very nice, very prompt, reply to my email). I can’t see DD being happy to travel on the tube for an hour each way and and don’t know what parents would do there once children are dropped off (CS has good outdoor space, on-site cafe and parent rooms and pre-covid we bought a Chessington pass and would take her there for a couple of hours after class).
I don’t know if she will stay at Colourstrings until she’s 18. I would prefer somewhere she can get to on public transport, by herself, when she’s older. But unless she’s exceptionally good or bad I think she’ll stay until end of KS2 before we even think about anywhere else.
We are so lucky in London to have all these options (plus North London CS and other music schools) teaching Kodaly and rhythmics. I don’t think it matters at this age where they start so my advice would be pick the one that is easiest for you. It’s definitely more of a test of the parents motivation than it is for the little ones (or so my OH tells me 🤣).
NB. GH have increased their kindergarten intake to 6 classes from 4 in 2021/21.