The CREC May Newsletter
CREC - Centre for Research in Early Childhood
Working towards improving early years provision.
It has been a busy time at CREC over the last few weeks. We have seen our last taught sessions across our MA?and been sorting the many wonderful EECERA research papers received. Read on to find out more.?
Master's Degree in Education with Early Years Focus
Our part time MA programme, accredited by Birmingham City University, 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.
The course draws upon CREC's research expertise and enables students to work within a community of practice.
As well as providing students with expertise in early childhood, our programme also provides a grounding in research methods. In each year of their study, students are invited to specialise in areas such as Leadership, Music, Creativity and the Arts, Mentoring, and Nurturing Childhoods. They are also offered invaluable support for practice-based research. Through researching practice in a systematic and rigorous way CREC students contribute to their settings, their profession and the potential generation of wider knowledge.
Teacher Training- School Centred
CREC Teacher Training?offers a one year full-time school-based route to becoming a primary teacher with an early years (3 - 7 yrs) specialism and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Our core aim is to help you become a confident, knowledgeable and highly employable teacher with a passion for working with young children, to give them the best starting point in life, whatever their circumstances.
Applications for September 2024 are open and need to be made through the DfE ‘Apply’ portal using our course code 2MZV. ?
The closing date for applications is 1st July.?
If you would like more information regarding the programme then please visit our website or download our brochure.?
If you still have questions then attend the next information session online on Wednesday 15th May 2024 4pm-5pm.? Future information sessions are listed here.
Last weeks taught session was led by Helen Moylett focussing specifically on working with two year olds. Those who attended reflected on existing knowledge and understanding about two year olds and how they learn and develop. They considered implications for pedagogy and practice and discussed planning an enabling environment.?
EECERA
Conference tickets are now on sale Early bird tickets have now been released and can be purchased via the conference website. There are only a handful of PhD tickets remaining, details of how to apply can be found here:?
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Please note The conference fee will cover access to the conference between 3rd and 6th September. It will include access to all keynotes and symposia, tea & coffee, buffet lunches & reception evening. Accommodation, travel, social programme and conference dinner are not included.?Fees are processed in GBP and are subject to VAT.?
The review of papers has been completed and as the conference strategic partner, CREC are now busy designing the programme consisting of just over 700 presentations.? Find out more about the EECERA annual conference through the?dedicated website?and?sign up?to the conference newsletter for updates.
Certificate for Music Educators: Early Childhood
The Certificate for Music Educators (CME): Early Childhood offers a flexible, part-time, distance-learning qualification (at Level 4) in early childhood music. The CME is a recognised National Qualification validated by Trinity College London.? From the point of view of career prospects there is so much to be said about gaining a nationally recognised qualification, but there are other positives too. Our student alumni mention the impact on their own personal practice and the great benefit that comes from being in a wide ranging cohort of students from different backgrounds and experiences so that you can learn from each other. ? “Engaging with the CME:EC has helped to change the direction of my practice - I am much more confident working collaboratively and reflectively, and have learned how to create more space for the voices of families, children and fellow practitioners. Where I used to feel a pressure to turn up and 'deliver' or 'entertain' in some settings, I am now more confident to advocate for the fact that there is richer, more lasting value in meaningful engagement.” Alumni student ZC ? “Today the preschool I was running a session in got their OFSTED visit. I don’t know the outcome yet but the pressure was certainly on! Thank you so much for all of your teachings, which have helped me become a rounded practitioner - all my class planning was spot on, with paperwork to hand too. I had you in my head in the background reminding me all sorts of things! So, thank you for helping shape who I’ve become.” Alumni student KT ? “The CME is a fabulous course which brings together a wide range of early years practitioners and musicians, there were other people there who were interested in storytelling, and there was a wide mix of skills and experience in my cohort, so everybody had something to contribute to discussions and group work.” Alumni student CT ? Could you be a part of our 8th cohort? For more information on the course and to apply visit our website.?
Reflection with Guidance
The Froebel Partnership hosted their first biennial conference at Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre on Friday 3rd May.? The three keynotes were all equally thought provoking and filled with passion and excitement.? ?
??Chris Pascal shared findings from a three year research project and showcased how #reflectionwithguidance supports both analysis and practice development.? ?
??Sally Cave and Tina Bruce discussed play and shared new conceptual work on #layersofplay? ?
??Dr Stella Louis articulated the importance of observation in supporting holistic child development.? ?
In between these sessions the fabulous educators at Guildford illustrated the occupations in practice within the nursery school environment.? ?
So lovely to have so many Froebelian educators together and summed up by Sally as a day focused on ‘fidelity to the child.’?
Learning Circle
At our last Learning Circle (which we attempted to hold in a hybrid way!) Dr Carolyne Ndofor-Tah, Head of Cross Government Evaluation Support Team at the Office for National Statistics, delivered a talk on Theories of Change. She covered the basics of what they are for, what makes them effective, and challenged us to consider how they might be usefully used to strengthen our individual research projects. We are very grateful to Carolyne for her time and the thought provoking presentation she gave. ? At this week’s session (Thursday 16th May) it will be more of an opportunity for reflective discussion as we’d like to hear more from colleagues about how new ideas and perspectives (such as Theories of Change) can shape our research designs and how we can respond to those new ideas mid-way through our projects. ?