Centre for Research in Early Childhood
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Centre for Research in Early Childhood
@crecuk.bsky.social
520 followers 270 following 440 posts
Through our research, consultancy work, postgraduate degrees and training & development programmes, CREC has been working to improve Early Years provision for over 25 years.
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crecuk.bsky.social
The Department for Education has released updated statutory guidance for local authorities, effective 1 April 2026. More here: buff.ly/0oMWI7T

#EarlyYears
Government publishes updated early years guidance for local authorities | www.eyalliance.org.uk
The revised document includes updated guidance on the requirements local authorities can place over patterns of delivery.
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February 13, 2026 at 11:46 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
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 Art of Learning: Strengthening Pedagogy and Practice in Expressive Arts and Design (EAD) for EYFS and KS1 — CREC
This professional learning day with international artist-educator Debi Keyte-Hartland is designed to support all EYFS and Key Stage 1 educators to deepen their understanding and enhance their…
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February 12, 2026 at 11:46 AM
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The sector cautions that outdated sufficiency information might jeopardize the most recent funding cycle for nurseries in this article: buff.ly/355ksx7

#NurseryFunding #ChildcareFunding
Out-of-date sufficiency data could undermine latest round of nursery funding, sector warns - CYP Now
Councils risk drawing up plans for the next wave of school-based nursery funding using outdated or incomplete data, undermining efforts to expand childcare where it is most needed, childcare sector…
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February 11, 2026 at 11:46 AM
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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
Why SEND reform depends on the early years
Because the EYFS shapes children’s first learning experiences, it is where the SEND crisis begins - so it needs to be a key focus in fixing the problem, writes Julian Grenier, who offers three ways…
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February 10, 2026 at 11:46 AM
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What are your thoughts on introducing mandatory CCTV in Early Years settings? buff.ly/z3QnST5
#Nursery #CCTV #EarlyYears
Government to consider introducing mandatory CCTV in nurseries - Nursery World
Speaking in the House of Commons earlier this week, the early education minister, Olivia Bailey, said the Government is considering the mandatory use of CCTV in early years settings as part of its…
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February 9, 2026 at 11:46 AM
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"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
The early years is not just preparation for school | Famly
Our Early Years Educator, Julia Rose, explores why the concept of ‘school readiness’ does us no favours in the early years.
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February 6, 2026 at 11:46 AM
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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
BECERA 2026 — CREC
Our 2026 annual conference will be hosted in Birmingham on Monday 16th February 2026. Save the date and sign up to our newsletter for updates.
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February 5, 2026 at 11:46 AM
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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
February 4, 2026 at 11:47 AM
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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
The Power and Pleasures of Play
Following our recent session exploring the ‘Power and Pleasures of Play’, Chris Pascal shares her thoughts on the importance of reflective pedagogy and the importance of play.
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February 3, 2026 at 11:46 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
Survey results show an increasing number of children are struggling with key skills when they get to reception: buff.ly/bajkEF1
#EYFS #EarlyYears #Reception
Kindred Squared ‘school-readiness’ survey suggests rising number of children are not prepared for reception | www.eyalliance.org.uk
Survey results show an increasing number of children are struggling with key skills when they get to reception.
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February 2, 2026 at 11:46 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
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
January 30, 2026 at 12:15 PM
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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
January 30, 2026 at 11:46 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
Midlands families needed for pioneering autism study involving at-home robot: buff.ly/zV3IkMX

#Birmingham #Autism #Research
Midlands families needed for pioneering autism study involving at-home robot - University of Birmingham
World’s first large-scale, long-term study to explore how a social robot can support early development for young autistic children at home.
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January 29, 2026 at 11:46 AM
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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
January 28, 2026 at 11:46 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
‘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
Have your say on the current state of the early years sector in our new survey | www.eyalliance.org.uk
Share your views on funding, the expanded entitlements, staffing, quality and more...
www.eyalliance.org.uk
January 27, 2026 at 4:56 PM
crecuk.bsky.social
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
Latest IFS annual report on education reveals concerning trends for early years | www.eyalliance.org.uk
Report reveals effective decrease in three- and four-year-old funding due to rising costs, alongside falling spending on disadvantaged children.
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January 27, 2026 at 11:46 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
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
January 26, 2026 at 11:46 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
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 — CREC
This lunchtime online drop-in session is an opportunity to ask questions about our programme. If you are considering a career as a nursery or an early primary teacher, book a place.
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January 23, 2026 at 11:46 AM
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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
January 22, 2026 at 11:46 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
Falling childminder numbers as parents struggle to find childcare: buff.ly/Btbd8Lw

#Childminders #PVI #Childcare
Search for childcare space is 'mission impossible', says mum
A charity says the sector is at "breaking point" and is calling on the government to intervene.
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January 21, 2026 at 11:46 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
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

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#Fraud #MERYC
Home | MERYC England
MERYC England is a registered charity committed to advancing the musical education of children aged 0 - 5 years in England. MERYC England is a forum for connecting and exploring the diverse world of…
www.merycengland.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 11:40 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
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
Number of children being taught at home increases by 15% in a year, report finds
More than 175,000 children were educated at home in 2024/25, up from 153,000 in the previous academic year, latest figures show. Experts say it is largely down to parents withdrawing their children…
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January 20, 2026 at 11:46 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
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
January 20, 2026 at 11:24 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has launched a new campaign to champion PVI settings. Find out more: buff.ly/GnPdKGt
#EarlyYears #PVI #Nursery
Nursery: Where the best start happens - NDNA
Nursery: Where the best start happens - NDNA
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January 19, 2026 at 11:46 AM
crecuk.bsky.social
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
£200 million landmark SEND teacher training programme
New requirement that every teacher receives training to support pupils, as government makes good on promise to deliver reforms families are crying out for.
www.gov.uk
January 16, 2026 at 4:14 PM