Centre for Research in Early Childhood

A lovely upcoming session with Magic Acorns; Drawing as Reflection - on 12th November - book here: buff.ly/v9OkgTs #DrawingAsReflection #MagicAcorns

🧑‍💻 Train to Teach Early Years in Birmingham - Information Webinar - If you are passionate about early childhood education and would like to make a difference in your local community, and/or would like to further develop your early years career, book a place here: buff.ly/Ha7BRiC

Our next Learning Circle: Tuesday 10th November- Online via Teams, 4.30pm-5.30pm Webinar - Co-Lab Masterclass with Irene Gunning 'Reading Magnifica Humanitas Together’ Sign up below: buff.ly/wx0Oqoj #CREC #LearningCircle

Upcoming Event - our ever-popular Maths CPD day with Roy Broadfield is back! This is going to be popular - book your place now! buff.ly/XdV024q #CREC #CPD #EarlyMaths #EarlyEducation

Our SCITT trainees joined us for their first Conference Day at CREC recently. The day provided plenty of opportunities for discussion, reflection, and making meaningful links to practice in their own settings. Find out more about our SCITT on our website - link in bio. #CREC #EarlyYears

It was a pleasure to welcome our newest MA cohort to CREC for their first taught day this week. Led by Debi Keyte-Hartland, Kate Comberti and Helen Lyndon, the day began with an introduction to the programme and our community of practice. 😁 #CREC #MA #EarlyYears #EYFS #Postgraduate

buff.lyBringing up young children today and tomorrow: sorting the early childhood services messThis state-financed newest branch of the welfare state is in a mess. There is a fragmented confusion of different types of services and of funding... (read more)

Opinion piece: England spends £10.5bn a year on "childcare support" - six times the early-2000s figure - and the system is "still a mess". Read on and let us know your subsequent thoughts! buff.ly/9frVOYP #EarlyChildhood #EarlyEducation #ChildrensCentres

We were delighted to welcome our Year 2 and Year 3 Master's students back to CREC this week for the start of the new academic year. It was a fantastic start to a year of enquiry, reflection and professional learning, and we are excited to see their ideas develop over the coming months. #MA #CREC

New research from the University of Nottingham's Observatory for Mathematical Education examines how much play children actually experience in Reception, the year that bridges the Early Years Foundation Stage and primary school. Read the full report: buff.ly/woHBDKV #PlayBasedLearning #EYFS

Learning Circle reminder: Wednesday 14th October - Online via Teams Webinar, 4.30pm-5.30pm- Spotlights with Learning Circle Members. Register to attend: buff.ly/VkYFuJA #LearningCircle #CREC #EarlyEducation #CommunityOfPractice

Train to Teach Early Years in Birmingham - Information Webinar If you are passionate about early childhood education and would like to make a difference in your local community, and/or would like to further develop your early years career, book a place via the link: buff.ly/AKS8ZRP #SCITT #EYFS

A city that included potty-training guides with parents’ initial school offers has seen a notable rise in children arriving toilet-trained for the new school year. Read more: buff.ly/BzpVPGh #PottyTraining #SchoolReadiness #EarlyYears

Upcoming Event - our ever-popular Maths CPD day with Roy Broadfield is back! This is going to be popular - book your place now! buff.ly/XdV024q #CREC #CPD #EarlyMaths #EarlyEducation

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed the core focus areas for its review of England's early years sector. The review is currently underway, with the final report scheduled for publication in May 2027. Read more here: buff.ly/LtQtK2h

Last week, trainees have received their academic content for the PGCE component of their training via Sheffield Hallam University. Find out more about our SCITT course here: buff.ly/LmQm8tk #CREC #SCITT #EarlyEducation

We are seeking an organised and proactive Business & Operations Officer to support the smooth day-to-day running of our organisation. For full information and how to apply: buff.ly/ArC8iEe #NewJob #BusinessOfficer #BirminghamJobs #CRECJobs #EarlyEducation

The disadvantage gap for pupils in reception year grew further in 2025 and is now the widest since 2014, according to a recent study by the Education Policy Institute. Read the full report and its findings here: buff.ly/NcKKJF1 #EarlyEducation #Disadvantage #EarlyYears

buff.lyNew early years inclusive funding is “simply not enough”, new research finds | www.eyalliance.org.ukResearch from Dingley’s Promise has found that the government would need to triple financial support to ensure setting-wide inclusive practice

New research from Dingley’s Promise shows the government would need to triple funding to make inclusive practice standard across all settings. More info from the Early Years Alliance: buff.ly/CO9eE3b #SEND #EarlyEducation #EarlyYears

Our SCITT trainees are fully immersed in their Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) weeks! They have been busy deepening their teaching knowledge through interactive seminars, observing expert colleagues in action across various school settings, and collaborating with their peers. 👨‍🏫 #SCITT #CREC

23 Sept

New research finds that heavy curriculum demands, rigid accountability rules, staff instability and split views on the value of play are major obstacles to supporting children’s learning through play. Read more here: buff.ly/wVixBVz #EarlyYears #EYFS #LearningThroughPlay #PlayBasedLearning

Some news from CREC: It is with a mixture of pride and sadness we announce that, after 20 years of service, our dear colleague, friend and Co-Director, Sean Delaney, is moving to a new, exciting and well-earned role working for the city of Birmingham.

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Therefore, we are now seeking a Head of Finance, Business Development & Operations, as well as a Business & Operations Officer to join our organisation. You can find links to both of these roles below. #CREC #News #EarlyEducation #Birmingham #EYFS C #News #EarlyEducation #Birmingham #EYFS

Business & Operations Officer: buff.ly/ArC8iEe Head of Finance, Business Development & Operations: buff.ly/KL6FvCJ

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Change is, however, also an opportunity, and we have begun an exciting process of appointing someone with similar values and personal ethos to join our CREC team.

We are fast approaching our 30th year of supporting the Early Years Sector and CREC’s mission remains the same: to help create better opportunities for our youngest children and families to thrive. We look forward ambitious, highly motivated individuals joining the CREC team in our efforts.

During his time with us, Sean has significantly contributed to supporting CREC’s work through building, maintaining and improving many sector partnerships, through research and professional development programmes and he will be missed by us all.

The latest Parentkind National Parent Survey 2026 highlights a growing challenge for the early years sector: school refusal and attendance anxiety are taking root earlier than ever. Read the full report and share your thoughts below. buff.ly/SWRrHkG #EarlyEducation #Childcare #Survey #Parentkind

21 Sept

Upcoming Event - our ever-popular Maths CPD day with Roy Broadfield is back! This is going to be popular - book your place now! buff.ly/XdV024q #CREC #CPD #EarlyMaths #EarlyEducation

18 Sept

Start Strong helps UK governments give every baby and young child a fair start. This November a Citizens' Assembly will ask what governments should do to ensure that. Adults can share views via the national survey: buff.ly/22DYZro #EarlyYears #StartStrong #EYFS

17 Sept

Our part time programme is designed specifically for practitioners working in the early years sector and can be studied alongside and in support of your day-to-day role. Find out more and enrol now: buff.ly/CtNk1jT #MA #Education #EarlyYears #EYFS #EarlyYearsTeacher #CREC

16 Sept

"Keeping the EYFS central to leadership isn’t about improving Reception in isolation, nor is it about improving good level of development (GLD) outcomes. It’s about strengthening every stage that follows." Why every school leader should understand the Early Years: buff.ly/zaccCaS #EarlyYears

15 Sept

MA FAQs: Can I transfer postgraduate credits from another university? 🤔 YES - at the point of application with our validating partner, BCU, you can apply to have the credits transferred to our programme. 😁 Please see the attached for more information. buff.ly/4hVRMB8 #EarlyYears #CREC #MAEd

14 Sept

"Children do not develop in isolation. Their early development is shaped by the support systems surrounding them. When those systems become fragmented, developmental differences are almost inevitable." Read more on this here: buff.ly/INdhl0U #SpecialNeedsJungle #SchoolReadiness #EarlyYears

11 Sept

MA Ed (Early Years) FAQs:❔️ What are the entry requirements for the course?🤔 Ordinarily we ask for a relevant undergraduate degree and experience in the wider field of education and/or early childhood - or evidence of skill. Book a conversation with the course lead here: buff.ly/CtNk1jT #EYFS

eecera.orgFrom practice to publication: the story of the Peppa Pig song - EECERAby Rosie Walton and Susan Young I’ve often found that as soon as the article is written, reviewed, revised and accepted for publication – in EECERJ, hurray! – that I come across an idea which would…

As demonstrated by authors Rosie Walton and Susan Young - who co-authored a journal article stemming directly from Walton's practitioner-based research into children's musical play - the programmes on offer at CREC such as the CME and the MA Early Years open pathways to peer-reviewed publication

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a CREC MA empowers educators to expand their professional reach from local settings to international academic discourse. You can find the link to the original article in the next post, and you can read their guest post about it here: buff.ly/EeKTqD9 #CME #EarlyChildhood #EECERA

tandfonline.com‘I’m peppa pig’: young children’s self-initiated song-singing with a digital device as multi-modal expressive practicesThis article is based on the argument that the current audiovisual culture for young children, accessible to them via digital technologies interwoven in their everyday family lives, provides a mult...

Link to full article can be found here: buff.ly/WwygyRC

in prestige journals like the European Early Childhood Education Research Journal (EECERJ) as well as valuable community opportunities to learn and develop. By offering structured academic mentorship and framing real-world practice as valuable scholarship,

The new academic year is officially underway at CREC! 😁 Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming our new cohort of SCITT trainees. 🧑‍🎓 #SCITT #TeacherTraining #EarlyYears #EarlyYearsTeacher #CREC

9 Sept

Balancing work and study is achievable with our part-time structure. 📚️ The CREC MA Ed (Early Years) combines online support sessions, tutorials, self-directed study, and 5 face-to-face days at our Birmingham base. buff.ly/CtNk1jT #CPD #EarlyEducation #EarlyYears #EYFS #PostgraduateStudy #CREC

8 Sept

There's a new addition to the CREC library: Being and Becoming a Froebelian Community of Evidenced Practice, edited by some wonderful academics 😉 This is the latest title in the European Early Childhood Education Research Association’s (EECERA) Towards Ethical Praxis Series. #AcademicText #EYFS

7 Sept

Register to attend: Thursday 10th September - Online via Teams, 4.30pm-5.30pm Dr Faye Stanley 'Early Childhood Studies; the journey from undergraduate student to post PhD.' buff.ly/3V14qQX #LearningCircle #CommunityOfPractice #CREC #EYFS

4 Sept

Wishing all of our SCITT trainees past and present the very best as they start their first week of the academic year. You are going to make an incredible difference enjoy every minute!🤗 #SCITT #EarlyYearsTeacher #NewTerm #NewSchool

3 Sept

Early Years Alliance to hold a series of Autumn sessions online, sharing a range of simple, playful ways to help parents and carers support their child’s early development. buff.ly/8K2qWY3 #EarlyYears #EarlyDevelopment #EarlyEducation

help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.ukHelp for early years providers : Changes to the EYFS framework from 1 September 2026We use some essential cookies to make this service work.

2 Sept

The Department for Education has updated the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, strengthening safeguarding and operational requirements across all early years settings. Read the full guidance: buff.ly/6vki2Gh #EarlyYears #EYFS #EarlyEducation

31 Aug

As an new addition to our library we know this text will support students who are researching Rights within their own professional context. Interested in study and research with CREC? Find out more: buff.ly/v3tPAW0 #EarlyYears #Research #EarlyEducation

31 Aug

Government figures from 2025/26 show that more than 3,700 students completed T-Levels in Early Years Education, up over 50% compared to the previous year: buff.ly/Cb935aB #TLevels #EarlyEducation #EarlyYears #EYFS

28 Aug

Two new library additions explore the benefits of a creative pedagogical approach: Your Brain on Art shows the Arts' impact on the brain; Creativity in the Early Years explains how to nurture creativity across early years contexts. More on our MA Ed via the link in bio. #EarlyYearsCreativity #EYFS