Certificate for Music Educators: Early Childhood
CME Applications for Autumn 2025 are now open
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The Certificate for Music Educators (CME): Early Childhood offers a flexible, part-time, distance-learning qualification in early childhood music. The CME is a recognised National Qualification validated by Trinity College London.
Overview
The CME: Early Childhood qualification is at Level 4 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (equivalent to first year Batchelors degree) and has been designed to develop high-quality educators to work in early childhood music. It is an ideal precursor to the highly successful Early Years Music Education MA module at CREC (to find out more about the differences between the CME and the MA Music pathway, please visit our MA FAQ page).
The course, brought about by Dr Susan Young (MERYC-England) has a strong team of mentors who have all completed the CREC Early Years Music MA programme and are currently working as early childhood music educators in a range of organisations including universities, regional arts organisations and music education hubs.
Course Information
CME:EC Information event video recording 2023
+ Who is the CME: Early Childhood for?
This course is for anyone who wants to improve their skills and knowledge in early childhood music education and gain a recognised accredited qualification.
It is ideal for Early Years Practitioners, freelance and/or peripatetic musicians working, or wishing to work, in the Early Years.
For the duration of the course applicants will need to be working regularly with children in the 0 – 5 years age range. Applicants new to this age range can discuss with the mentor how a training practice can be set up.
If you already have some experience or have attended some training, you may be able to use this experience to cover some aspects of the course.
If you have no experience yet, you can use this course to train as an early childhood music educator. There will also be options available to purchase extra time with your mentor if you are starting from scratch.
What will the course cover?
The course will focus on music education practice across the 0-5 age phase in a wide range of settings and situations.
You will learn how to select materials, resources and activities; how to plan and manage different types of sessions with different age groups, with or without their parents/carers.
The course includes theory on how children develop musically and different models of pedagogy, both the more traditional “methods” and more contemporary approaches.
You will learn about curriculum models, forms of assessment and how to ensure progression. Essential statutory and safeguarding issues will be included.
The CME does not promote one particular approach but will encourage you to develop your own style of practice.
+ How long will the CME take to complete?
The course is planned to be completed in one year, although some very experienced students may be able to complete it in less time.
Everyone must complete the course within 2 years from registration.
Once completed, students may wish to develop their practice further via our MA Modules.
+ Where is the course?
Regional mentors are located all over England and will make flexible arrangements to work with you, wherever you live and work; if necessary using Zoom, Teams and phone calls.
All students will be required to attend four core learning days in central Birmingham, here, at the Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC).
The dates for the cohort starting Autumn 2025 are:
- Monday 27th October & Tuesday 28th October 2025
- Monday 23rd February 2026
- Monday 13th April 2026
The seminar days will provide high-quality input on musical development birth to five, learning and teaching processes, how to plan and run sessions, official policies and curriculum.
The days will also provide an opportunity to meet others, share practical ideas, information and advice. The tutors are all be highly experienced.
+ How will the course work?
Once registered, you will make an initial assessment that maps your prior experience and knowledge against the Course Units. Next, the mentor will help you create an agreed personal action plan, deciding what training and support you require to complete the course units.
You will be assessed by a portfolio of evidence, practice-based tasks, and observations of your work with children.
+ How much does the CREC CME: Early Childhood course cost?
The whole course will cost £1,600.
Fees can be paid in instalments (subject to initial non-refundable deposit of £300).
+ Course application and further information
Applications for 2025 are now open. If you would like to chat to someone about the course in more detail before applying, we can re-direct you to one of the regional mentors who would be happy to advise you further. Please contact the CREC team on enquiries@crec.co.uk if you wish to arrange this. Keep up to date with everything CME related by following us on social media.
Meet the CME: EC Team
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Kate studied the violin at the Royal Academy of Music before completing an MMus in Creative Leadership at the Royal College of Music and the CREC MA in Education (Early Years Music).
While working as a professional orchestral violinist Kate became interested in orchestral education work, her experience of running a junior conservatoire hub for Junior Trinity deepened her awareness of how pedagogical choices might inform practice, inspiring her to research the role of play in early-years instrumental programmes (Comberti, 2017) and then later observing children with small violins exploring their own learning through self initiated play (Comberti, 2020).
Alongside her own research Kate is an associate tutor on the MA programme at CREC and works as a mentor on the Sound Communities and Music Exchange programmes for Creative Futures, supporting early years professionals explore their own musical competencies.
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Katie has been working in Early Childhood Music Education for more than 20 years. She runs her own practice ‘Little Bees’ in Hertford and teaches part time in her local village school. Katie trains and mentors teachers and EYPs for The Voices Foundation and, in 2016, she wrote their EY book which she has since extended and adapted into an online resource.
In 2020 Katie completed her MA in Education (Early Years Music) with CREC: in her 2nd year she looked at the effect of adult’s musical responses to young children’s musical behaviours. Her final dissertation focussed on musical parenting education. Katie is now working with Rosie Adediran and Nicola Burke on a new and exciting organisation called The Family Music Hub. Together they are developing a pedagogy, a CPD program and support for anyone making music with 0-5s and their families with a particular focus on Children Centre family workers, library assistants and volunteers who are mostly untrained, unsupported and undervalued.
Katie is looking forward to supporting students on the CME course.
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Sally-Anne’s journey to Early Years music practice came about after the birth of her first daughter when she was feeling overwhelmed by new parenthood and stumbled across a family music group in her local Sure Start centre. It was a place of joy, connection and acceptance and it has been her intention to support others in the same way in her own groups ever since.
After gaining her BA in Music from Roehampton, Sally-Anne worked as a freelance recorder teacher in a local music school, teaching privately and running ensembles. In her Early Years work she has many years of experience working indoors (and outdoors) at nurseries, Children’s Centres, community groups and schools and has worked on EY projects for a variety of charities and organisations including NYMAZ, Pioneer Projects, Mid Pennine Arts and Wild Ingleborough.
A founding Director of Note Weavers Sally-Anne works with her colleagues to build connections with EY music practitioners in the North West and around the country. Sally-Anne has also been working again recently with the BBC Philharmonic and BBC Teach on an upcoming series for CBeebies. As well as her Early Years and instrumental teaching work she is also currently working as music specialist in three local primary schools, planning and delivering across the whole primary curriculum from Nursery – Year 6.
In 2018 Sally-Anne achieved her MA in Education (Early Years Music) at CREC and is particularly interested in music in the outdoors and building musical connections in community music groups and classes. She is now going into her 5th year on the CME:EC where she feels privileged to be a part of the students’ Early Years music journey.
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Vic has many years experience of specialising in music within the early years and currently works across different settings and schools to deliver music sessions to under 5s as well as in Reception classes. Having trained as an early years educator within a nursery, Vic has a deep understanding of early childhood development and the importance of offering a wide range of opportunities to children, especially in the early years.
Vic was in the first cohort to undertake the CME:EC at CREC and after successfully completing this course, Vic joined Note Weavers CIC as one of the founding Directors. Through Note Weavers Vic has enjoyed working on a number of projects including; consulting with the BBC Philharmonic on their musical retelling of the Gingerbread Man story; working with the BBC Philharmonic on a new series for CBeebies and BBC Teach; working in collaboration with The Bureau Centre for the Arts in Blackburn on their 'Shared Sounds' project as well as delivering CPD.
In 2018, Vic went on to study for and receive the MA in Education (Early Years Music) which was also run through CREC. After gaining her MA, Vic was appointed as the online mentor for the CME: EC supporting students on their online discussion forum. After two years overseeing this forum Vic is excited to have been appointed as a face to face mentor on the CME:EC course and is looking forward to working more closely with the students on their CME journey.
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Jane says it is a real honour and privilege to support students. She’s now in her 7th year of mentoring students on our course!
Jane comes with a wealth of specialist Early Years music experience and knowledge. She was a Junior student at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, completed a BMus at University of Sheffield and a PGCE at University of Leeds. Her education work has grown from secondary music teacher - to primary music teacher - to reception class teacher - to early childhood music practitioner / researcher. Jane believes she ‘worked her way up’ to early years! She completed her MA in Early Years Education (Music) at CREC in 2015.
Jane is currently Early Years Music Lead at Take Art (an arts charity) on their Youth Music The SoundWaves Network SW programme. She firmly believes we should recognise in all our work and resources that everyone is born creative.
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Margareta has extensive experience in making music with children in the Early Years. She is a trained Dalcroze teacher and Music Therapist. She initially trained as a Primary teacher and oboist in Switzerland and later ran a private music school in Glasgow, Scotland.
For over twelve years Margareta was Music leader and Music therapist at Coram, London. Previously, she started a music therapy service at a local SEND school and as a member of the CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) Team in Dover, later combining all the learned skills in her early years music practice. She co-directed the ‘Stepping into Music’ training programme, an accredited course for Early Years Dalcroze based music teaching (music through movement). Throughout her career Margareta ran training courses in Great Britain and abroad.
As the Head of Early Years at Berkshire Maestros Music Hub, she delivered music sessions, training and performances in Infant schools, Nurseries and Pre-schools and SEND schools, while also managing the Early Years Music team. She particularly enjoyed working with the youngest children and their parents and carers.
Finally, after a rich working life as a teacher and therapist, Margareta gained her MA in Education Early Year Music ) at CREC in 2021.
In her part-time retirement in Kent, she still volunteers at a local SEND Infant school and acts as a trustees to MERYC England and Wholestep Music therapy Trust in Reading. Margareta is looking forward to working with students on the CME course.
Testimonials
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.
Key Information
Type of Course
Recognised National Qualification - Level 4 Certificate
Study Options
Face to face (4 days) plus distance learning
Duration
1 year
Start Date
Enrolment + work placed activities
Autumn 2024/Spring 2025
Taught sessions
- Monday 28th October & Tuesday 29th October 2024
- Monday 24th February 2025
- Monday 28th April 2025
Accreditation
Validated by Trinity College London
Credits
32 Credits at Level 4
Fees
£1,575
(payment facilities by request - email s.delaney@crec.co.uk)
Tutors & Mentors
Tutors
Jane Parker, Sally-Anne Brown
Mentors
Jane Parker, Sally-Anne Brown, Margareta Burrell, Kate Comberti, Victoria Holmes, Katie Neilson, Zoe Challenor
Entry Requirements
GCSE English minimum Grade C (or equivalent)
Prior musical experience
DBS clearance (it is the student's responsibility to obtain this before the start of the course)