Pen Green Research Base

With over 30 years experience running an integrated early years provision, Pen Green Research Base offers a range of professional development opportunities for practitioners working in the early years, health and social sectors.

Pen Green Research Base was established in 1996 to open the debate on ‘teaching, learning and curriculum issues with parents’ and more widely in the early years community. The initial scope of work was the design and development of a knowledge sharing programme between practitioners based in, and parents accessing, the Pen Green Centre for Children and their Families. Then, as now, staff in the Research Base and integrated centre worked collaboratively on projects and research, contributing their findings to wider dialogues across the global early years community and improving outcomes for children and families.

Over time the nature and breadth of our work has evolved in a number of ways. At present, our main body of work is continuous professional development, including a full degree programme, teaching training, conferences and short courses. We have also led a number of regional and national projects for the Department of Education and different local authorities, including the ‘Being Two’ project and setting up the ‘Early Years Teaching Centre’ national network. As one of the first national research centres to focus on families and the early years, our outstanding approach to services and families has a strong international reputation. We welcome guests and students from a diverse range of countries and have worked with several national governments in an advisory capacity.

In 2014 the Pen Green Centre for Children and their Families was awarded teaching school status, opening up a whole new area of opportunity. For more information on all of our work and training opportunities, please check our website for regular updates.