CREC

For CREC, ethics, voice and power are fundamental concerns and principles that underpin our work. We might not always agree with each other, and we might see the world in different ways but we have always, and will continue to, promote respectful, critical dialogue as a means to develop knowledge and understanding about how we as a community can best support children’s development and enhance their lives. We are passionate about our learning community and encouraging others to adopt similar approaches in their work with colleagues, parents and children. Social media has not always been a ‘best fit’ for these ways of working and we have always sought to tread carefully as we use this medium to reach and engage with our wider connections. We might not always have got things right but we’ve deliberately chosen not to use any online platform to attack other individuals or organisations, or to retaliate when others have sought to use the platform to engage us in a deliberately aggressive or negative public discourse. We have often put our positions forward on social media but have always avoided being directly critical of others’ positions – whilst binary positions clearly do exist there is often far more overlap and consensus that online dialogue does little to unearth. The early years sector has enough of a struggle to be seen, heard and taken seriously without warring amongst itself in a public forum. We’ve had concerns for a number of years about the toxicity that breeds online in unchecked spaces and we’ve belatedly come to the conclusion that, despite X (Twitter) being a wonderful way to reach many of our passionate and dedicated followers who share our commitment to all things early years, it is no longer a platform that we can justify operating on and validating through our presence. We have therefore decided to henceforth cease using the platform. We will continue to utilise our other social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and LinkedIn and hope if you are not yet following us there that you will consider doing so. We are also exploring other ways to extend our learning community into new online spaces where respectful, critical dialogue can flourish, and we will update if and when that happens. Thank you for your ongoing support. #leavingx #bluesky #timetogo #CREC

@MichaelRosenYes @SmokestackBooks Thank you so much. Merry Christmas 🎄

@_CREC @SmokestackBooks Peace, security and enough food and clean water.

Ideas for writing? Now sure where to start? Or how? Sometimes it's OK to write in fragments to express where you're at, at any given moment. That's what I did with my book Pebbles publ by @SmokestackBooks . Why not nick my idea and write your own fragments/pebbles.

@CindyJurie @CRECUK

@_CREC What is your handle on 🦋?

For CREC, ethics, voice and power are fundamental concerns and principles that underpin our work. We might not always agree with each other, and we might see the world in different ways but we have always, and will continue to, promote respectful, critical dialogue as a means to develop knowledge and understanding about how we as a community can best support children’s development and enhance their lives. We are passionate about our learning community and encouraging others to adopt similar approaches in their work with colleagues, parents and children. Social media has not always been a ‘best fit’ for these ways of working and we have always sought to tread carefully as we use this medium to reach and engage with our wider connections. We might not always have got things right but we’ve deliberately chosen not to use any online platform to attack other individuals or organisations, or to retaliate when others have sought to use the platform to engage us in a deliberately aggressive or negative public discourse. We have often put our positions forward on social media but have always avoided being directly critical of others’ positions – whilst binary positions clearly do exist there is often far more overlap and consensus that online dialogue does little to unearth. The early years sector has enough of a struggle to be seen, heard and taken seriously without warring amongst itself in a public forum. We’ve had concerns for a number of years about the toxicity that breeds online in unchecked spaces and we’ve belatedly come to the conclusion that, despite X (Twitter) being a wonderful way to reach many of our passionate and dedicated followers who share our commitment to all things early years, it is no longer a platform that we can justify operating on and validating through our presence. We have therefore decided to henceforth cease using the platform. We will continue to utilise our other social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and LinkedIn and hope if you are not yet following us there that you will consider doing so. We are also exploring other ways to extend our learning community into new online spaces where respectful, critical dialogue can flourish, and we will update if and when that happens. Thank you for your ongoing support. #leavingx #bluesky #timetogo #CREC

"When it’s done badly in early years classrooms, it wastes children’s time; but when done well, it provides enrichment, joy, motivation and pleasure" Agree or disagree on this quote about play? More food for thought here: buff.ly/3YvyX2N #PlayBasedLearning

An opportunity to participate in research - Young Carers in Early Childhood - Interprofessional Focus Group (UK). The event will be hosted by principle researcher, Carly Ellicott, as part of her PhD research with University of Plymouth. buff.ly/3Ofwd4Z #research

RT an old one for today! ❄️

All set up for the Get Into Teaching event being held tonight at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre (BCEC) between 5-8pm. Come along and ask about our SCITT course! #CREC #Teaching #GetIntoTeaching

UK austerity linked to rise in premature & low birth weight babies in Scotland. Cuts to social security & services likely to blame, especially affecting poor families. #austerity #publichealth #Scotland buff.ly/4eefTvL

A UK-wide study has shown that babies and toddlers can have valuable learning experiences with digital devices. However, researchers emphasise need for policies and guidelines to help parents create high-quality experiences for young children. buff.ly/48AnKmn @lornaarnott

Last week, CREC held our first online session of the year for teacher training mentors from our partnering schools. It was a good opportunity to share current research, relevant articles and ways to develop own pedagogical and curriculum knowledge. The session also focused on planning for the upcoming trainee development reviews later this month. Thank you to all our partner schools who attended. @KenNurserySch #TeacherTraining #TrainToTeach

The British Psychological Society (BPS) is urging the government to clarify funding allocations for children's health services. The recent Autumn Budget failed to specify how much funding would be directed towards this crucial area. Read more: buff.ly/3UzzMGz #EarlyYears

Our survey findings on the Budget impact, out today, show that 95% of settings are set to increase fees without government support. A huge thank you to Lisa and parents at Abacus Nursery and Childcare for their support.

CREC will be at the Get Into Teaching event being held on Monday 18 November 2024 at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre (BCEC) between 5-8pm. Come along and ask about our SCITT course! #CREC #Teaching #GetIntoTeaching

@christinepascal and @DrTonyBertram, on behalf of all the CREC team and Board of Trustees.

Formidable and humane and very, very wise. Such a powerful force for children all her life, and such a role model for us all - she will be missed. We send our deepest condolences, love and best wishes to her family at this difficult time.

Dr Rosemary Peacocke HMI We are greatly saddened to hear of the recent death of Dr Rosemary Peacocke, HMI. From our earliest start at CREC, she was a generous and kind mentor and guided us carefully on how to make our way and make a difference for young children’s lives.

Early Reading Seminar at CREC In our Early Reading and Phonics seminar at CREC, we highlighted the value of rhyme in the early years to promote language development. A perfect way to begin #NurseryRhymeWeek celebrations!