CREC is a Charitable Trust (Reg. No. 1121861) established in 2007 and dedicated to raising the quality of early childhood and family provision in order to enhance the life chances of children.

CREC has an independent Board of Trustees and a governing document, a 'Declaration of Trust', which follows the guidelines of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales.

Registered Charities must convince the Charity Commissioners that they are an undertaking for the public benefit as expressed in their charitable 'object'. CREC's Charitable 'Object' as expressed in its Governing Constitution is:

'to promote and carry out for the public benefit, research into issues relevant to early childhood provision and to publish or otherwise disseminate the useful results of such research'. 

It does this by 'advocacy/advice/information', and by 'sponsoring or undertaking research, and by acting as an umbrella or resource body'.

The main medium for CREC activity is through 'education and training'. 

The Trustees have appointed Directors to carry out the work of CREC. There are currently two Directors; Professor Christine Pascal, OBE, and Professor Tony Bertram. They are a part of a small team who collaboratively fulfil the objects of the Trust.

CREC is located in the St Thomas Children's Centre, near Birmingham's city centre. Children's Centres are integrated, multi-professional settings offering a range of extended services to families and children including education, care and health.

CREC is independent and self-financing but has links with three major Midlands Universities, Birmingham University, Birmingham City University and Wolverhampton University. It is also a strategic partner within Birmingham's Children, Young Person's and Families Directorate which part subsidises its offices.