Developing a qualified workforce – the ongoing success of the CME:EC

As the Certificate for Music Educators: Early Childhood course reaches its fifth year, there is much to celebrate!

Firstly, huge congratulations to the following students who are now qualified as Early Childhood Music Educators: Joe Cooper, Joana Gill, Roger Luxton, Katie Fabri, Jude Cummins, Eliza Wylie, Hilary Lawson, Sarah Hydes, Seanine Joyce, Jacqui Ross, Anjana Rinne, Katie Thompson, Rachel Evans, Rachel Harris, Nuala Kelly, Frances Bryant and Lydia Buckle.

Frances writes "Doing the CME:EC course has opened doors for me, not only in my own understanding of how and why children engage in music, but also by providing opportunities to work more collaboratively and widely in Early Years music through NYMAZ, the organisation which enabled me to do the course! I would highly recommend the CME:EC to anyone interested in making music with Early Years children. It is practical, well taught and enabling."

We are so proud of them all. Some of our past students have since gone on to pursue their studies at PhD or MA level, whilst others are now leading experts in Early Childhood Music within their organisations, early years settings or freelance work.

This part-time distance learning programme is run by the Centre for Research Early Childhood (CREC) and validated by Trinity College, London. The course, devised by Dr. Susan Young and directed by Zoe Greenhalgh, also benefits from contributions from CREC Early Years Music MA alumni Sally-Anne Brown, Barbara Cavanagh, Alison Harmer and Jane Parker. Over the last few years many of our students have benefitted from bursaries via their involvement with a Youth Music programme, a music education hub or an Early Years setting.

Feedback has continued to be extremely positive from our quality assessors. Professor Chris Pascal writes "I feel the quality of mentoring for the course has continued to be exemplary. The positive relationship developed between mentors and students is clearly evident and I am sure contributes to the achievements of the students and the high levels of successful course completion. The current delivery of the face to face days through an online platform does not seem to have impacted negatively on the student’s progress which is a great tribute to those who have led these days. I would like to congratulate course leaders, mentors and tutors for their commitment to delivering this much needed and high-quality professional development course for the sector during a time of extreme challenges."

Comments from Trinity College, London (Valerie Miller, Gary Spruce and Natalie Christopher) include "This is a centre that is enthusiastic and passionate about supporting students to achieve. There is a good balance of support and challenge. The students are supported by a strong team of mentors. Moderation and quality assurance systems are embedded, with robust IQA. This is a well-led centre which offers excellent provision and supports its students to succeed."

Further information on the course and application process is here: http://www.crec.co.uk/cert-music-ed-early-childhood.

Please be aware this is a popular course with limited spaces available. Applications are now open for our next course cohort, due to start in the Autumn 2021.