CREC is a charitable organisation established in 2007. CREC is located in the St Thomas Children's Centre, near the centre of Birmingham. CREC specialises in early childhood research which has relevant and meaningful outcomes for practice and policy. Some of its research is transformed in to development programmes by its sister organization Amber Publications and Training (APT). These programmes include Effective Early Learning (EEL 3-6years), Baby Effective Early Learning (BEEL, Birth to Three years), Accounting Early for Life Long Learning (AcE, assessing and supporting PSED and CLL from Birth to Five Years) and Opening Windows (creating open and equitable dialogues with parents).

CREC also does undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees.

It has a strong reputation for undertaking reviews, reports, evaluation and consultancy with many UK local authorities, NGOs and countries, for example, Birmingham, Gloucestershire, QCA, OECD and the British Council, Portugal, Qatar and South Australia.