WHO ARE WE? The Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) is home to an education research charity, CREC in Birmingham and an Early Years training company, Amber Publications & Training. Established by Professor Chris Pascal and Professor Tony Bertram, CREC has been working to improve Early Years provision for over 20 years.
‘Many, many thanks for giving me space to explore so many issues - it's changed me!!!’ Student at CREC 2
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
For an up to date and interactive calendar of events, please visit our website
You will be able to find out more about the events and book your space online!
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Dear colleagues,
Welcome to our training brochure for 2011/12. This brochure contains an overview of the courses being offered by CREC over the next 12 months. They are designed specifically for Early Years Practitioners and as such are offered as part time courses which can be fitted around a busy working life. Each course is delivered at our base within a children’s centre in central Birmingham which is easily accessible via road or rail. We are however happy to deliver any of these courses at a venue of your choosing subject to minimum numbers. Courses can also be created from scratch, tailored or co-constructed to meet your local requirements. We strive to offer accreditation against as many of our courses as possible so that each package has a deep impact and long lasting value for both the participant and the setting within which they work. Each course can be undertaken in isolation but we encourage Early Years practitioners not to see them as stand alone elements but as complementary components which can provide a pathway to gaining a Masters qualification. To discuss any of what you read in this brochure or if you would like further details, please do not hesitate to contact us on the details below:
Prof. Chris Pascal & Prof. Tony Bertram
Centre for Research in Early Childhood enquiries@crec.co.uk 0121 464 0020 www.crec.co.uk
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MA Research Modules
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Early Years Music Module
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AcE
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NPQICL
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Leadership & Management
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EEL/BEEL
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Evidencing Outcomes & Measuring Impact
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BECERA
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Learning Circle
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BUILD YOUR OWN MASTERS
CREC has designed a flexible way for Early Years Practitioners to gain a Post Graduate accreditation. Post Graduate Study Pathway at CREC in conjunction with Birmingham City University works as follows:
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Complete 60 credits from the blue section and gain a Post Graduate Certificate
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Complete 120 credits from the blue section and gain and Post Graduate Diploma
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Complete your dissertation and you will be awarded an MA in Education by Birmingham City University
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Post Graduate Study Pathway at CREC
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MA in Education: Research Modules
Research in Professional Practice (Double Research Module)
This module is designed for Early Years practitioners to become practitioner researchers in their own settings. It will cover all aspects of how to undertake an extended piece of research including how to: · · · ·
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Select and define a suitable topic for research; Undertake and write a critical literature review relevant to the research topic; Compile a research report or portfolio and prepare a presentation; Select and justify an appropriate methodological approach. This will include consideration of your epistemology, theoretical stance, methodology and methods; Analyse data and report findings in an appropriate format.
Course dates (compulsory): Day 1: 13th October 2011 Day 2: 17th November 2011 Day 3: 8th December 2011 Day 4: 12th January 2012 Day 5: 9th February 2012
In addition to the 5 face-to-face days at CREC each participant will be allocated a tutor to support them throughout their research.
Assignment submission: August 2012
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The aim of this module is to develop your ability to undertake an extended piece of research relevant to your professional career and personal interests. It should not only bring benefits to your setting through the application of research but will also reward you with personal accreditation.
Cost: ÂŁ1200 Accreditation: 60 PG credits
CHECK US ONLINE AT WWW.CREC.CO.UK
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MA in Education: Early Years Music Module
CREC offers practitioners the opportunity to complete a Postgraduate Programme in Early Childhood Music. This can be completed on its own or as part of an early childhood music focused MA in Education.
The programme has been devised and will be led by Dr Susan Young and is designed to suit distance learning. It takes place over 7 days at CREC and is intended to develop musically focussed practitioner research in the Early Years.
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Who is it for? The programme is for anyone who is already working in early years music or who plans to in the future in a range of professional capacities: independent workshop leaders, early years educators, music therapists, advisors, community musicians, instrumental teachers. A first degree is normally required for entry to this programme but concessions may be made for students who have other relevant graduate equivalent qualifications and/or relevant background experience.
Course dates: 2 Day preliminary course: 30th September & 1st October 2011 Day 1: 18th Oct 2011 Day 2: 18th Nov 2011 Day 3: 6th Dec 2011 Day 4 10th Jan 2012 Day 5: 7th Feb 2012 Cost: ÂŁ1200 (inclusive of preliminary course) Accreditation: 60 PG credits
BOOK NOW ONLINE!
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Accounting Early for Lifelong Learning AcE
AcE has been developed specifically to support the planning and assessment of young children’s development in the keys areas of learning. It has drawn on collaborative research with practitioners, parents and children to produce an innovative and participatory process. AcE celebrates the 'unique child' and enhances 'positive relationships', develops ‘enabling environments’ and ensures children’s ‘learning and development’ and so strengthens practice in all four themes of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. This course at CREC provides the observation based and participatory tools to allow for the implementation of a practitioner-led but collaboratively constructed programme which brings great benefits to a setting but also allows the practitioner to gain personal accreditation. The course is spread out over a 12 month period to support the practitioner to effectively implement the programme in their setting and then complete the personal accreditation assignments: Course dates: 3 Day training: to be confirmed Day 1: 23rd January 2012 Day 2:24th January 2012 Day 3: 24th April 2012
Cost: £1200 (including all materials, support and accreditation) Accreditation: 60 PG credits
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NPQICL
CREC is the only organisation in the West Midlands that delivers The National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership (NPQICL). This programme differs from other taught programmes in that it does not solely focus on academic learning about leadership but is grounded in the day-to-day practice of children’s centre leaders.
‘The NPQICL programme has had such a monumental impact on my leadership that I have found myself in many different environments talking about the positive impact the programme has had on my leadership. A very big thank you for the learning experience’ NPQICL Graduate
Applicants must either be: · · ·
A leader , deputy or deputy equivalent of a DfE designated children’s centre; A member of a senior management team with a substantial role in leading centre services; A leader of private provision who can demonstrate that they are leading centre services in a formal partnership with designated public provision. For further information about the NPQICL please contact Carol Nelson, Programme Manager at CREC c.nelson@crec.co.uk / 0121 464 0025
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Leadership & Management
Aimed at leaders, deputy leaders and team leaders working in all Early Years settings across the private, maintained and voluntary sector this practically focused yet theoretically grounded programme allows participants to develop their own knowledge, competencies and confidence while at the same time allowing their settings to benefit through the implementation of leading edge practice. CREC has put together a menu of 10 days from which participants can choose. Participants who attend the 5 day programme and successfully complete the two assignments will gain 60 credits at Post Graduate level. Tutor support is given throughout this programme. The programme aims to provide participants with: · · · · · · · · ·
clarity of understanding of the international, national and local context for the development of integrated service; an understanding of the personal and professional leadership skills required to lead the change programme; an understanding of the factors which develop successful integrated services in the local community; an understanding of the features of quality integrated services and the capacity to implement a quality improvement process within their Centres; enhanced understanding of equality and diversity in the delivery of inclusive services; strategies to understand and manage organisational change effectively within their Centres; techniques to lead and support effective multi-professional team working; support in the development of collaborative working with children and families.
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Compulsory days: Day 1: Clarifying Children’s Services Policy & the Organisational Change Agenda 2012 dates to be announced Day 2: The Skills and Competencies of Effective Leadership in Early Childhood Settings 2012 dates to be announced Day 3: Managing Organisational Change Creatively & Successfully 2012 dates to be announced Elective days (please choose two): Day 4: Understanding Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Practice 24th November 2011 Day 5: Performance Management & SEF for Children’s Services 30th November 2011 Day 6: Developing and Improving Quality in Children’s Services 2012 dates to be announced Day 7: Evidence Based Evaluation: Assessing Outcomes for Children & Families 2012 dates to be announced Day 8: Value Matters: The Development & Preservation of Shared Organisational Values 2012 dates to be announced Day 9: Leading as a Social Entrepreneur 1st February 2012 Day 10: Developing Effective Communication Skills for Managers in Children’s Services 8th February2012
Cost: £1200 (includes 5 days, tutor support & accreditation) Accreditation: 60 credits (Individual days can be booked at a cost of £120 + VAT each Please note that this option does not carry accreditation)
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Leadership & Management Day 1 Clarifying Children’s Services Policy and the National Change Agenda Aims: To identify the key requirements of Children’s services within the new statutory framework for children’s services; To increase awareness of the organisational, professional and personal demands involved in developing, leading and managing multi-professional organisations; To identify key organisational challenges of developing integrated services and develop a strategy for managing organisational change.
Leadership & Management Day 2 The Skills and Competencies of Effective Leadership Aims: To understand the personal and professional leadership skills required to lead within an early years setting; To examine how best to create and lead multi-professional teams; To explore and consider different leadership experiences and styles; To apply leadership theories to current leadership dilemmas.
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Leadership & Management Day 3 Leading Organisational Change Aims : To identify and understand the nature of organisational change; To identify a range of strategies and tools that can support change management; To increase awareness of the professional and personal demands involved in leading and managing multi-professional organisations; To engage with other leaders in a critical analysis of leadership experiences and approaches, with reference to leadership theories and literature; To identify key organisational challenges faced by leaders of integrated services and develop a strategy for managing organisational change.
Leadership & Management Day 4 Understanding Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Practice Aims: To define the role and responsibilities of the Leader with to equality, diversity and rights;
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To demystify the language and terminology, policies of equality, diversity and rights; To examine the legal issues through a range of case studies; To consider equality in practice and how to effectively action plan for successfully managing changes.
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Leadership & Management Day 5 Performance Management & SEF for Children’s Services Aims: To understand the purpose and importance of Performance Management; To plan out how to performance manage your setting in line with legal obligations; To examine tools for undertaking effective Self Evaluation.
Leadership & Management Day 6 Developing and Improving Quality in Children’s Services Aims: To clarify how Quality Improvement Programmes (QIP’s) have developed and how they sit within current Government policy aimed to enhance quality in Children’s services; To explore the benefits of engaging in a QIP; To set out how the new style QIPs will work in relation to registration and inspection processes; To identify key features and processes of engaging in an effective QIP; To consider the organisational, resourcing and management issues of implementing a QIP.
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Leadership & Management Day 7 Assessing Outcomes in Young Children Aims: To discuss the legal framework surrounding the new outcomes duty and principled approaches to assessment; To consider ways of systematically, rigorously and ethically gathering evidence on children’s development and well-being; To explore a methodology (the AcE Scale) for providing rigorous evidence of outcomes for children and a process for narrowing the gap in outcomes for all children.
Leadership & Management Day 8 Value Matters: The Development & Preservation of Shared Organisational Values Aims: To clarify what values are, why they are important and where they come from; To enable early years practitioners at different levels of experience and in different roles to consider their personal and professional values; To explore how values are impacting on our work; To reflect on how values are affirmed and challenged in our work, particularly with the most excluded families.
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Leadership & Management Day 9 Leading as a Social Entrepreneur Aims: To explore the meaning of basic concepts and terminology in business development; To support the development of a positive culture of business discipline within Children’s Centres; To enhance skills and confidence in resource/financial management; To provide support in handling budgets and evaluating efficiency; To explore options for income generation within sustainable organisational planning and service delivery.
Leadership & Management Day 10 Developing Effective Communication in Children’s Services Aims: To explore aspects of effective communication in Children’s Services; To increase self awareness of communication styles; To set out how to communicate well in reading, writing (including e mail), persuasion, listening, talking and feeling (including body language, appearance, facial expression, first impressions etc.); To support the implementation of communication that is effective in the workplace, identifying blocks and liberators.
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EEL/BEEL
Effective Early Learning (EEL) and Baby Effective Early Learning (BEEL) are programmes of supported self evaluation and improvement for all settings that provide early education and care for young children aged 0-7 years. EEL and BEEL provide training and support for ECEC settings to move beyond baseline national standards. The intention is to provide a supported development strategy for all ECEC providers, with well tested systems for ongoing quality improvement. The process is led by staff teams who, through a supported training programme, become researchers of their own practice, seeking and using evidence continually to ensure the delivery of high quality services for all children and families within their setting. EEL and BEEL develop evidence based reflective practice. This course at CREC provides the observation based and participatory tools to allow for the implementation of a practitioner-led but collaboratively constructed programme which brings great benefits to a setting but also allows the practitioner to gain personal accreditation. The course is spread out over an 18 month period to support the practitioner to effectively implement the programme in their setting and then complete the personal accreditation assignments:
Course dates: 2 Day training: to be confirmed Implementation support day: 12th September 2011 Assignment 1 support day: 25th Jan 2012 Assignment 2 support day: 14th June 2012
Cost: ÂŁ1200 (including all materials, support and accreditation) Accreditation: 60 PG credits
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Evidencing Outcomes & Measuring Impact (2 days)
Over the two day programme we aim:
To discuss the national and local context for evidencing and tracking the impact of children’s services on outcomes and the requirements from Ofsted and other bodies; To consider ways of systematically, rigorously and ethically gathering evidence on the impact of services for children and families; To explore qualitative and quantitative methodologies for providing rigorous evidence of impact on outcomes for children and families and for tracking risk in families; To identify the parameters and features of a robust and manageable evaluation strategy for settings which informs self evaluation within an agreed and robust framework; To increase the strategic and operational awareness of the professional and personal demands and skills involved in developing and implementing a coherent and rigorous evaluative strategy across the city; To explore how to ensure organisational development and improvement is evidence based. The programme has been developed to support the development of a more comprehensive and cohesive approach to evidencing and tracking the impact of children’s services on children and family outcomes.
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Training dates:
Cohort 4: 2nd November 2011 & 1st December 2011 Cohort 5: 1ST January 2012 & 1st March 2012
Cost: 2 Day course with gap task included. Price per person ÂŁ220 + VAT (includes all materials & refreshments) Accreditation: No
BOOK NOW ONLINE!
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BECERA Conference
BECERA is a new independent organisation for those early childhood practitioners, researchers and practitioner researchers working in the British Isles who want a space to meet, enquire and discuss issues relevant to their work with young children and families. BECERA aims to stimulate, support, create and disseminate rigorous, grounded and conceptual knowledge and its applications to our early childhood services. It does this through an annual conference where research is presented and subjected to peer-review. The knowledge generated from each conference will be made available in an on-line, searchable database.
15th & 16th February 2012
Work presented at BECERA conferences will be part of an online FREE searchable database. Find us on twitter: @BECERAssoc Find us on facebook: look for becera
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Learning Circle
Over recent years CREC's Directors have supported many students to successful completion of MA, MPhil and PhD degrees. The Centre is working to establish, regionally and nationally, a research community of scholars who are committed to children and family services. This open 'Learning Circle' meets monthly at the Centre for presentation or discussions on early childhood issues and includes students, policy makers, local authority leaders and visiting academics. From this learning community will come the future leaders, tutors and thinkers for this key area of social, educational, health and economic policy. Learning Circle dates and topics can be found on the CREC website. Professor Chris Pascal and Professor Tony Bertram both currently supervise doctoral students jointly with University of Birmingham and University of Wolverhampton.
Details of each university’s programmes can be found on the institutions’ websites. We would recommend anyone considering undertaking a doctoral course with us to contact Professors Pascal or Bertram in the first instance for an initial conversation.
drchrispascal@crec.co.uk drtonybertram@crec.co.uk Join the Learning circle group. Visit our website for more details.
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Centre for Research in Early Childhood St Thomas Children’s Centre Bell Barn Road, Attwood Green Birmingham B15 2AF T: 0121 464 0020 E: enquiries@crec.co.uk
Follow CREC on twitter and facebook: @_CREC CREC
CREC Directors: Professor Dr Tony Bertram, PhD, MEd, BEd Professor Dr Chris Pascal, OBE, PhD, MSocSc, PGCE, BA
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