Thinking of SCITT? Hear from a recent graduate: “I would recommend this teacher training and specialist early years route to anyone! I have had a really positive and amazing experience the whole way through my training.” Emily Bennett, SCITT 2024 - 25 Find out more: buff.ly/Q93KXyV #TeacherTraining

Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales visited Castle Hill Academy in Croydon to mark Children’s Mental Health Week 2026, emphasising the role of early childhood in lifelong mental well-being. buff.ly/06GerGm #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

During her address at the National Centre for Family Hubs conference, Minister Olivia Bailey outlined her vision for the upcoming phase of the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies initiative, set to launch in April. For more details, visit buff.ly/5RXEV4I. #FamilyHubs #BestStartInLife

The Department for Education has released updated statutory guidance for local authorities, effective 1 April 2026. More here: buff.ly/0oMWI7T #EarlyYears

Planning your CPD for 2026? Don't miss this - affordable and informative CPD at CREC with Debi Keyte-Hartland: buff.ly/OGw5FNW #CPD #Teaching #EarlyYearsTeaching #Arts #EarlyChildhood

The sector cautions that outdated sufficiency information might jeopardize the most recent funding cycle for nurseries in this article: buff.ly/355ksx7 #NurseryFunding #ChildcareFunding

Julian Grenier argues that the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes children’s initial educational experiences and is where the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) crisis originates. He suggests three methods to enhance practice in this area: buff.ly/Bx91zjV #SEND #EYFS

What are your thoughts on introducing mandatory CCTV in Early Years settings? buff.ly/z3QnST5 #Nursery #CCTV #EarlyYears

"Why is the early years sector only seen as important when it’s viewed as a stepping stone to something else?" "School readiness" has been in the news a lot again recently, but is it good for children...or for schools? Find out more: buff.ly/bRwJbnE #SchoolReadiness #StartingSchool #Reception

There are just a few tickets left for BECERA 2026 in Birmingham on 16th February. Book your ticket here: buff.ly/0TRtTGP #BECERA2026 #EarlyChildhood #CPD #Birmingham

Shortly, our SCITT students are to take part in a session on job applications and interview prep with a recruitment agency. This is really helpful, as our previous SCITT cohort report in this video. Find out more about our SCITT course here: buff.ly/538Rlg3 #SCITT #TeacherTraining #JobInterview

The Birmingham Early Years Networks was pleased to host a session led by Professor Tina Bruce (CBE) and Professor Chris Pascal (OBE), exploring the “Power and Pleasures of Play” recently. Find out more in their blog where you can also re-watch the session. buff.ly/6YqIbda #Froebel #EarlyYears

Survey results show an increasing number of children are struggling with key skills when they get to reception: buff.ly/bajkEF1 #EYFS #EarlyYears #Reception

Chris and Tony are joining University of Wolverhampton students for their graduation ceremony today. The University is one of CRECs key partners in the West Midlands and supports our doctoral programme and research profile. Congratulations to all those graduating! #GraduationDay #PHD #EarlyChildhood

Advance Your Career with an MA in Education (Early Years) Looking to deepen your impact? CREC’s part-time Master’s programme is built for busy professionals. Register your interest, book a call, or enrol today! buff.ly/8ykaAkc #MAEarlyYears #EYFS #EarlyChildhood

Midlands families needed for pioneering autism study involving at-home robot: buff.ly/zV3IkMX #Birmingham #Autism #Research

Opportunities for dialogue and reflection are at the heart of our SCITT programme. If nurturing confident, curious learners from the very beginning inspires you, now is the perfect time to apply. Find out more here: buff.ly/7Kr3O4C #SCITT #CREC #TeacherTraining

‘State of the sector’ survey for early years providers, looking at the impact of recent policy changes. The survey should only take around 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. The deadline for responses is Tuesday 3 February 2026. buff.ly/AmYYXuj #EarlyYearsAlliance #EarlyYears

The latest report on education spending in England by the IFS has revealed that costs for early years providers have risen more rapidly than the rate of inflation in the economy. This has effectively led to a reduction in funding for three- and four-year-olds. buff.ly/rOJR1Me #EYFS #EarlyYears

CREC Teacher Training Online Information Event Wednesday 28 January 2026 12:30 13:00 Find out more and book here: buff.ly/hFzvW7h #EarlyYearsTeacherTraining #TeacherTraining #TeachFirst #PrimaryTeaching

CREC Teacher Training Online Information Event Wednesday 28 January 2026 12:30 13:00 Find out more and book here: buff.ly/hFzvW7h #EarlyYearsTeacherTraining #TeacherTraining #TeachFirst #PrimaryTeaching

We’re asking for donations to create a small support fund to help out any struggling CREC student to stay the course and gain their qualification. Thank you for your continued support; you can donate here: buff.ly/e8mbOoZ #CREC #StudentSupportFund #StudentLife #EarlyChildhood

Falling childminder numbers as parents struggle to find childcare: buff.ly/Btbd8Lw #Childminders #PVI #Childcare

It has been brought to our attention there’s a live Music Educators and Researchers of Young Children (MERYC) England copycat website and we urge everyone to please save and use the correct URL address for the organisation: buff.ly/fh8rAbo buff.ly/kUxIWdF #Fraud #MERYC

According to the Department for Education, 175,900 youngsters in England were homeschooled by choice during the 2024/25 school year, up 15% from 153,300 the previous year. More details at buff.ly/g4YaawM. #HomeEducation #EOTAS

You are warmly invited to an online seminar tomorrow. Details below: Presenter: Professor Chris Pascal, CREC Date: 21/01/2026 Time: 3-4pm Title: Understanding the new revised EECERA ethical code and the ethics of researching with young children. To book on, please email [email protected] #BCU

The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has launched a new campaign to champion PVI settings. Find out more: buff.ly/GnPdKGt #EarlyYears #PVI #Nursery

A substantial £200 million project aimed at training educators for students with SEND. A new directive guarantees that all teachers are equipped to support pupils, as the government fulfills its pledge to enact changes eagerly awaited by families, the DfE announced today: buff.ly/VE5hEnr #SEND

Parents of young children in England will soon receive official guidance on recommended screen time for their little ones, whether it's in front of the TV or using computers: buff.ly/sHXvXNt #ScreenTime #Smartphones #EarlyChildhood

We’re asking for donations to create a small support fund to help out any struggling CREC student to stay the course and gain their qualification. Thank you for your continued support; you can donate here: buff.ly/e8mbOoZ #CREC #StudentSupportFund #StudentLife #EarlyChildhood

Health visiting teams are providing vaccinations to children, ensuring families who face barriers like lack of GP registration, travel costs, or language issues receive essential care. #Vaccinations #EarlyChildhood

Last week, CREC and Titan SCITT trainees have been immersed in a series of seminars and deliberate practice sessions focused on effective questioning. Find out more about our SCITT course here: buff.ly/BUKeY4e #SCITT #TeacherTraining

How are early childhood education centers creating their climate action plans, and what elements should be included? Report by Hannah Crown. buff.ly/1rNtQTl #EYFS #ClimateAction

An annual survey by the Department for Education has highlighted the increasing importance of schools and nurseries as providers of childcare and early childhood education. More details can be found at this link: buff.ly/EsO03o6 #EarlyEducation #NurserySchool #EarlyChildhood

CREC announces a landmark partnership with Norland through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This strategic alliance aims to enhance early childhood research, knowledge exchange, and academic growth. #Partnership #Norland #EarlyEducation #EarlyChildhood

Join our upcoming Community of Practice Learning Circle: Tuesday 20th Jan - Online via Zoom, 4.30pm-5.30pm When: Jan 20, 2026 04:30 PM London. Register in advance for this meeting: buff.ly/S3pZqBr #EarlyYears #LearningCircle #CommunityOfPractice #CREC

Our very own Chris Pascal is quoted in this article: buff.ly/93zKs5g #PostcodeLottery #Parenting #EarlyYears

Today: Start the year right with our MA Information Session, perfect for all of you wishing to continue your Early Years research in a post-graduate course specifically designed for those working in the sector. Find out more: buff.ly/J6WeMiN #MA #CREC #EYFS #PostGraduateStudy

Early Years Maths CPD coming up with Roy Broadfield at CREC in 2026 - check it out and book your place - this is highly regarded CPD and great value: buff.ly/BR7ihAQ #Maths #EarlyYearsMaths #Numbers

Planning your CPD for 2026? Don't miss this - affordable and informative CPD at CREC with Debi Keyte-Hartland: buff.ly/OGw5FNW #CPD #Teaching #EarlyYearsTeaching #Arts #EarlyChildhood

The Best Start in Life Strategy, launched in July 2025, addresses challenges in early education and childcare. Key initiatives include enhancing recognition for early years educators and proposing a workforce registration system buff.ly/kcvQwLH #BestStartInLife #WorkforceRegistration #EarlyEducation

Seeking a new career in 2026? "CREC is a wonderful place to study, I am so glad that I came across the course. You always worry if you’ve chosen the right place to study but with CREC I have never questioned that." Interested? Find out more about our SCITT course: buff.ly/o4zfhSd #SCITT

Hear from current student Nicole about her experience on our current SCITT course. You can find out more about the course via the link below. Our next round of interviews is being held on January 14th. buff.ly/iUXadgS #SCITT #TrainToTeach #GetIntoTeaching

🚨 Wide gaps in waiting times for a SEND diagnosis by socio-economic background 🚨 Middle-class parents have shorter waiting times for formal SEND diagnoses than working-class parents, we have found. Read our report on the SEND system 👇 www.suttontrust.com/our-research...

Start the year right with our MA Information Session, perfect for all of you wishing to continue your Early Years research in a post-graduate course specifically designed for those working in the sector. Find out more: buff.ly/J6WeMiN #MA #CREC #EYFS #PostGraduateStudy

The Education Committee has expanded its ongoing early years inquiry to examine how safeguarding can be strengthened in nurseries, for childminders and other early years settings. buff.ly/JLGGDPd #Safeguarding #EarlyYears #EYFS

Early Years Maths CPD coming up with Roy Broadfield at CREC in 2026 - check it out and book your place - this is highly regarded CPD and great value: buff.ly/1ErPlb9 #Maths #EarlyYearsMaths #Numbers

Wishing you all a very peaceful and merry Christmas; from all of us here at CREC. #MerryChristmas #EarlyChildhood #EYFS

Planning your CPD for 2026? Don't miss this - affordable and informative CPD at CREC with Debi Keyte-Hartland: buff.ly/QzyXVv4 #CPD #Teaching #EarlyYearsTeaching #Arts #EarlyChildhood

Our staff will be working remotely from 22nd December with all team on annual leave from 25th December until 2 January. We will be back on Monday 5th January. Wishing all our friends and colleagues Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year From all of us at CREC. buff.ly/bSbk7hk #OutOfOffice