CREC Learning Circle
Our community of practice has met regularly since 2003 for presentations or discussions on early childhood issues, and includes students, policy makers, local authority leaders and visiting academics.
Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do, and learn how to do it better by interacting regularly. Over recent years CREC's Directors have supported many students to successful completion of MA , 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.
The CREC Learning Circle has met regularly since 2003 for presentations 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.
The schedule for 2024/25 can be seen below . They will predominantly consist of virtual meetings and opportunities for face-to-face networking/PhD peer-to-peer discussions at CREC in Birmingham.
As always, the first session of the new academic year (September 23rd 2024) is an opportunity to catch up after the summer and contribute ideas for themes and topics for the year.
Joining links and initial information for will be shared with registered members early September. Where possible, recordings of online sessions will be made available for a limited time to members after each session, for those who couldn't attend or would like to revisit.
Join our Facebook group by requesting to join on the group page and answering all of the questions (please note, if you do not answer the questions we are unable to admit you to the group).
2025/2026 Schedule:
Thursday 11th September - Online via Zoom, 4.30pm-5.30pm
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Sep 11, 2025 04:30 PM London. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AEYiSI6pS2eM-gBO2bOVzA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Tuesday 14 Oct - Hybrid, 4pm-5pm
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Oct 14, 2025 04:00 PM London. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/W-EUTBqBR3G_k4bLaPbmTQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Wednesday 19th Nov - Online via Zoom, 4.30pm-5.30pm- Research dissemination
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Nov 19, 2025 04:30 PM London. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/i5L5YFRNQ_agXS-lIhey5A
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Thursday 4th Dec- Hybrid 4.30pm-5.30pm
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Dec 4, 2025 04:30 PM London. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YxhvK_MCT4e7p_VacIH1rQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Tuesday 20th Jan - Online via Zoom, 4.30pm-5.30pm
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Jan 20, 2026 04:30 PM London. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CZqNyneESaKMCpSPoCikYw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Monday 16th February - BECERA Conference The Studio, Birmingham – 9am 5pm
Thursday 5th March - Hybrid, 4.30pm-5.30pm
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Mar 5, 2026 04:30 PM London. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3RPqd3ovSlejKzQZYpDWQA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Tuesday 21 April - Hybrid, 4.30pm-5.30pm
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Apr 21, 2026 04:30 PM London. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lYLo96HISXWmAfWolHVHFw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Thursday 21st May- Online via Zoom, 4.30pm-5.30pm
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: May 21, 2026 04:30 PM London. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3EnjBVV_TgCmHWG2ZS4BZA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Thursday 25th June- Hartlebury, Worcestershire, 4pm - late “Walk & Talk”
The final Learning Circle of the year will take place on Thursday 25th June from 4pm.
This is an extended learning circle that takes place at Tony's house in Hartlebury. Attendees bring along something interesting they've read for discussion and also bring along a small contribution to a buffet.
If you plan to join Chris and Tony for this session please confirm your attendance by emailing enquiries@crec.co.uk and you'll be provided with directions for travel/ parking.