Primary School Centred Initial Teacher Training with QTS
Early Years (3 - 7 yrs) Specialist Route
Delivered locally in collaboration with Titan Partnership
Accredited by Teach First
Train to teach with us from September 2027
Applications will open 6th October 2026
If you are ready to make an application, please apply using DfE apply. Choose CREC Early Years Partnership (25R) as the provider
Our Early Years (3 - 7 yrs) Specialist Route into teaching is delivered locally in close collaboration with Titan Partnership. It offers a one year full-time school-based pathway to becoming a primary teacher with an early years or early primary specialism and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Our core aim is to help you become a confident, knowledgeable and highly employable teacher with a passion for working with young children, to give them the best starting point in life, whatever their circumstances.
Our high-quality mentors and tutors have extensive practical experience and will help you succeed by offering consistent guidance and personalised support throughout the course.
Alongside the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), awarded by Teach First, this course also carries a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) awarded by Sheffield Hallam University.
The course has been devised to develop high-quality teachers to work in the early years settings and primary schools and the course, in addition to covering all Teaching Standards includes an emphasis on multi-agency working, leadership in the EYFS, working with 2-year-olds, SEND, and practitioner research.
The SCITT programme is run by a team of highly experienced teacher educators, sector specialists and placement mentors.
Teach First acts as our official accredited Initial Teacher Training (ITT) partner.
Thinking about training to teach older children?
Birmingham based Titan Teacher Training have over 35 years experience training teachers and supporting them into primary (5-11 yrs) and secondary school employment. Attend their information event to find out more.
In collaboration with 40+ partner schools and Teach First, Futures Teaching Alliance offers primary and secondary school based training across Coventry and Leicestershire.
Get all your questions answered.
One-to-one conversation
Book a 15 min slot to enquire about placement schools and discuss your potential application.
Online Information Session
Register to find out more about our SCITT and ask any questions.
“The team at CREC are very experienced and knowledgeable. They care about every student who is on the programme. They are very thoughtful in terms of placing you in appropriate schools for your placement training and there is contact all the way through the programme. They have supported and encouraged me, we problem-solved together. There is so much wisdom and experience here I've been able to benefit from while I have done my teacher training. That's why I would 100% recommend CREC for anybody considering a teacher training course with an early years specialism.”
- Heena Goenka, SCITT 2025 - 26
Why choose CREC SCITT?
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Specialist early years route into teaching
We are the only provider in the region solely offering training that’s preparing for teaching 3-7 year olds (EYFS and KS1). We combine Teach First training expertise with our early childhood specialism to deliver this high-quality research-informed programme.
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Train in a school that’s local to you
We work with a wide network of nursery and primary schools across Birmingham. Every effort is made to offer a placement in a school that is local to you. We consider trainees’ previous experience to try and provide a bespoke experience.
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Small supportive cohorts
By keeping our trainee cohort small we are able to provide a personal experience and find we are able to respond to individual students’ needs. Taught days at CREC offer our trainees an opportunity to be a part of a close learning community.
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Gets you off to a good start
Our aim is to help you become a confident, knowledgeable and highly employable teacher with a passion for working with young children so that you can give them the best starting point in life, whatever their circumstances.
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Set in a real world of practice
The setting of this course in the real world of practice provides the trainees with the opportunities to understand the context and experience working with children from a wide range of social, economic and cultural backgrounds.
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Offers transferable skills
The programme places emphasis on the ability to articulate a personal philosophy and professional values. It also provides an opportunity to develop key transferable skills such as teamwork, autonomy and problem-solving.
Thinking about training to teach older children?
Birmingham based Titan Teacher Training have over 35 years experience training teachers and supporting them into primary (5-11 yrs) and secondary school employment. Attend their information event to find out more.
In collaboration with 40+ partner schools and Teach First, Futures Teaching Alliance offers primary and secondary school based training across Coventry and Leicestershire.
Train to teach with us from September 2027
Applications will open 6th October 2026
If you are ready to make an application, please apply using DfE apply. Choose CREC Early Years Partnership (25R) as the provider
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SCITT Expression of Interest
Interested but not quite ready to enrol? Join this mailing list and we will send you relevant information about our programme.
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Upcoming Information Events
Meet the tutors face-to-face, learn more about our specialist early years route and have all your questions answered.
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What Our Students Have Said
Don’t just take our word for it. Our students and alumni share their experiences studying with us and explain what sets us apart.
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Programme Structure and Content
The programme prepares trainees for teaching children aged 2-7, including EYFS (3-5) and KS1 (5-7).
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Fees and Finance Options
Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible to apply for multiple funding options.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our SCITT. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in touch!
“I would recommend this teacher training and specialist early years route to anyone! I have had a really positive and amazing experience the whole way through my training. I have felt so supported by CREC and placement mentors! I think that the programme is really nicely structured and the ITAP weeks and CREC days are spread out to break up your time at placement and give you something to go back and think about. I believe that by being a part of a small cohort has allowed us to have such a personalised and supported experience. The cohort have become really close and I have really appreciated Lucy and Helen’s support. The CREC days are always so interactive and engaging and always follow our needs! I have learnt so much during this year and have really enjoyed my experience. ”
- Emily Bennett, SCITT 2024 - 25
Our Alumni Teacher Journeys
Sam Bowker
Clair Sammons
Stephanie Johnston
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“I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to become a mentor for the CREC SCITT Programme. Having trained as a teacher myself with CREC, I understand first-hand the amazing support and passion for Early Years that can be gained through this course. I feel fortunate that I have been able to share my passion for teaching with my student teacher, helping her become a confident and prepared practitioner. Observing her grow in confidence and ability to reflect on her own practice has been very rewarding. Becoming a mentor has meant that the learning has become embedded into my own practice and I feel that I am a much-improved teacher as a result of this.”
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Since completing the SCITT Postgraduate Degree with CREC in 2019/2020 Stephanie has worked as an early years teacher within the Birmingham Federation of Maintained Nursery Schools.
She began her career as an NQT at Gracelands Nursery School, before securing a position at Highfield Nursery School and then providing School support to Newtown Nursery School.
More recently, Stephanie has gained an Interim Deputy Head position at St Thomas Centre Nursery School and is completing a NPQL in Leadership.
She’s currently one of the Mentors for Teaching students at CREC and, through the Birmingham Early Years Network, she is sharing good practice with other professionals.
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“CREC SCITT course really gives you a flavour of what life as a teacher is really like. From vast experience you gain in the classroom within your EY stage and KS1, to all the academic work that you will do.
All the training experience I received, I believe it set me up for my role. It gave me confidence to run my own room and lead a team.
Training at CREC has given me lifelong skills and a sense of belonging.”
Completing my teaching experience at CREC allowed me to understand my own pedagogy and allow me to ensure I do not lose the identity of those values and ideas.”
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After completing her teacher training, Sam accepted a position at St Thomas Centre Nursery School. She completed her NQT year during the COVID-19 pandemic. He role then changed dramatically when she stepped into the role of Deputy Head.
She is currently working as a nursery teacher at Lillian de Lissa Nursery School, one of our placement schools, where she also provides mentoring support to one of CREC’s current teacher trainees.
She began the role of SENCO in 2023 and I is currently completing NASENCO award.
Since joining Lilian de Lissa, she has worked extensively using Reggio Emilia approach, while also implementing Froebel principles and practice, ensuring play and creativity is at the forefront of every child’s adventure at nursery.
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“The tutors at CREC are supportive, knowledgeable, and inspiring. They encourage you to challenge your thinking and reflect on your own practice throughout the course. I valued the mixture of placement and days at CREC throughout the week. The structure of the course allows you plentiful opportunities to reflect on your teaching practice and re-connect with tutors and other student teachers, within a small and understanding learning community, regularly. Training with CREC has enabled me to become a confident, reflective, and passionate Early Years Teacher and prepared me for a career in education. I will forever by grateful for the encouragement and ongoing support I have received from CREC.”
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After completing her teacher training, Clair accepted a position at Allens Croft Nursery School, Birmingham. She went on to carry on her postgraduate studies at CREC and was awarded Masters in Education in 2020.
Clair continues to develop her practice and research. She has recently presented at BECERA Conference where she shared the findings of her MA research project into children's perspectives of starting school and the implications for practice. Her research has helped explore the challenges and develop transition to school pedagogy at Redcliffe Nursery School in Bristol, where she currently works as a nursery teacher.
“My time at CREC has been nothing short of enriching. The course structure is designed to foster deep learning and growth, offering a perfect blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. Both my academic tutors’ and placement mentors’ dedication is shown through their support. The collaborative environment among peers fuels stimulating discussions and encourages innovative thinking. I am grateful for all the valuable insights and skills I have gained.”
- Megan Bartlam, SCITT 2023 - 24
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A day in the Life of CREC Trainee Teacher
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A Day in the Life of a Year 1 Teacher
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Reflections on My Teacher Training Journey
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How to Get Ready for Your Teacher Training Year
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What Does a Teacher Trainee Need to Succeed?
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How to Get Your First Teaching Job
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Becoming a Teacher: A Personal Perspective
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What it's like to Train with Us - a Trainee's View
Department for Education, October 2020
‘The [SCITT] partnership is committed to inclusion and diversity (in its broadest sense) and the analysis and critique of theory, research and expert practice in early years. CREC itself is at the heart of local, national and international policy, practice and research in the early years.’
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