Music has long been recognised as an aid to child development, so when music teacher Lynne O'Malley decided to set up on her own she focused on a franchise bringing the benefits of music to babies and toddlers.

Lynne, of Otley, launched Rhythm Time in March last year following a 16-year stint as a primary teacher specialising in music.

The 40-year-old turned her back on the classroom to pursue a different challenge.

"I taught for 16 years and I was always in charge of music but it got to the stage where I wanted to do more with music. I'd been looking at various options and really I found this by accident," admits Lynne.

She says her partner stumbled on the idea for Rhythm Time, encouraging child development through music, after seeing a business opportunity at the Franchise Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

"He discovered this for me and brought the pack home for me to look at. I just knew it was for me," says Lynne.

"It's about child development, which is obviously what I have done before because I was teaching in an infants school. I was doing early years; four and five-year-olds.

"It appealed to me from the start that I could be teaching children in every possible way but through music, and music is my thing. It's what I love."

Lynne's interest in music stems from childhood. She recalls her parents buying her a tiny piano when she was four after noticing her aptitude for copying tunes. "I've played the piano since I was a child. I also taught myself guitar and banjo, and I'm a singer," says Lynne, whose father plays in a jazz band.

"I really got into it and I've never looked back. I could have gone down the route of studying music but I became a teacher."

Now she's using her skills in a new challenge of being self-employed. "It is a big step and I know quite a lot of people, especially teachers, who would like to do something like this but who may be stuck in a comfort zone.

"It is hard work. I knew I would love teaching a class; there was no question about that. But the thing that has surprised me is I've also got into marketing the business and the book-keeping side of the thing," she says.

Lynne's greatest buzz is the satisfaction she gets from seeing the enjoyment children and their parents get from the music sessions she runs in community and church halls and nurseries around the county. She's also involved in the government-funded Extended Schools Programme of after-school activities.

"What I like about this is it is passing on pure vocal sound. Through acappella singing, children, parents and carers learn to sing in tune. I also like the fact it gives parents or carers ideas to use at home and that they are making music together," says Lynne.

Lynne's catchment is Ilkley, Keighley, Knaresborough and Otley and she currently has 200 children on her books. She has taken on a member of staff but is keen to expand her teaching team to meet demand.

"I've heard mums who have had a baby and are at home thinking what do I do now?'. This gives them ways of bonding with their baby. Singing is a natural stimulant; it calms mum and baby and everybody is happy. It's also popular because it's a way of getting to know people, and it's lots of fun!"

As well as singing, babies and toddlers are encouraged to play with the props Lynne provides. Instruments enable them to keep the beat and copy rhythms. She also has hoops, balls, mirrors and a cuddly rabbit side-kick.

"There is a lot of research about music boosting intelligence - the Mozart effect - because music engages all areas of the brain. We have latched on to that; we do activities that encourage coordination and eye development," Lynne adds.

Keeping the beat, she says, helps to develop mathematical skills. "We think keeping the beat is something in us but it isn't; it needs to be learned."

Youngsters also learn to appreciate music and life skills such as sharing and confidence-building.

According to Lynne, it's not just enjoyable for the children but for everyone taking part.

"I absolutely love it," she says. "It is the best thing I've done."

She advises anyone wanting to become self-employed to be extremely organised. "To do this you need to be a people person, outgoing... and to sing in tune!"

For more information call Rhythm Time on 07789 895894. Bradford College runs business and teaching courses; call (01274) 433333.