A new report on the crisis in the early years workforce has revealed that without immediate intervention, the sector is at risk of becoming unsustainable.

Firstly, as we pass the 12 month anniversary since the UK first went into lockdown, we would like to applaud all our students for the way in which they have balanced the competing pressures of professional, personal and academic life during a period like no other.

As the Certificate for Music Educators: Early Childhood course reaches its fifth year, there is much to celebrate!

19-Mar-2020

-Monday 30 November-

In light of the latest Government rules for tiers and guidance on continued home based working where possible, and because we know how important a safe environment to learn and interact with your fellow students and tutors is, we are extending online face-to-face delivery of all our scheduled MA sessions until the end of February. All our students will receive further information regarding this via an email update. Please also refer to Moodle for all the latest guidance.

In this featured post, Sharon Colilles recalls her thoughts and experiences from when she first embarked on her journey, through looking back at challenges and many revisions, until her recent completion late last year.

A new report on the crisis in the early years workforce has revealed that without immediate intervention, the sector is at risk of becoming unsustainable.

We're delighted to be working alongside Birmingham Early Years Networks (BEYN) to support Birmingham City Council's Public Health division to share and amplify important COVID-19 information to families with children 0-5

Our dear friends, colleagues and wider CREC community

It has been an incredible year; although it has brought a lot of challenges and change, we are proud of how our small team have met those head-on.

A couple of weeks ago, CREC Learning Circle hosted a consultation event which was an opportunity to hear about the Birth to Five Matters project initial survey results from the project lead, Nancy Stewart and contribute to the work of the Early Years Coalition by sharing views and ideas on the emerging findings and issues.

Today sees the launch of Famly Children’s Champion Award 2020 . In partnership with CREC and other EY organisations, this new award aims to raise the profile and celebrate unsung early years heroes and, through nominations and vote, crown Famly Children’s Champion, and award them £5,000.

Today sees the launch of an online survey by the Early Years Coalition (EYC), a group of sector representative bodies, to find out practitioners’ views and needs for guidance to support the revised EYFS. This is the first stage of a process to help shape a revision of the 2012 EYFS non-statutory guidance Development Matters in response to feedback that showed practitioners want to keep the best aspects of this highly valued guidance, while updating and improving it to reflect current challenges.

We have been working hard over the past few months to set up our offices and training rooms ready for the new academic year, ensuring that the environment is COVID secure but retains that welcoming and nurturing feel that we’ve worked hard to develop over the years.

These last months have given all of us personal and professional challenges that have demanded extraordinary reserves of energy, creativeness, resilience and compassion as we have navigated life during this ever-developing COVID pandemic. As the new academic year begins we are writing to assure you all of CREC’s commitment to keeping you safe and well and our excitement about working with you all on a new year of study and professional development.