Bridging cultures, supporting communities, empowering education
At UCEC, our mission extends beyond just education in the classroom. We believe in investing in people, relationships, and the wider community. Through our outreach work, we contribute to a more inclusive, compassionate society by sponsoring research, supporting family wellbeing, and promoting cultural understanding.
From donating to local arts and wellbeing initiatives, to empowering young learners and families, to strengthening the capacity of educational institutions – we are proud to stand alongside those shaping a more hopeful future.
Supporting Research at UCL
UCEC is a proud sponsor of research at University College London (UCL), supporting projects focused on early years education, teacher education, and CPD training.
In 2021, we further deepened this impact by launching the first International Forum on Child Development in China, where we jointly presented the outcomes of our research with UCL to a national audience of educators and policymakers.
This milestone event was made possible through our strong partnerships with two of China’s leading education institutions: Beijing Normal University (BNU) and East China Normal University (ECNU). It marked a new chapter in cross-border dialogue on early childhood development.
TheCentre for Teacher and Early Years Education, based at UCL’s Institute of Education, works to improve quality in early years teacher education in China, to transform education for 170 million children and their families.
The Centre’s main areas of research are:
- Teacher education and leadership for the early years in China
- Quality in early years education
- The role of the family in early years education
- Early literacy development
The Centre has published a number of reports exploring a variety of themes including: the characteristics of effective parenting and related programmes, understanding assessment in early years’ settings, and comparing international 0-3 curriculum frameworks to inform guidelines in China.
For a general overview, have a read of this literature review: Early Childhood Education in People’s Republic of China: A Literature Review of the publications written in English
You can find a selection of internationally relevant academic papers, now publicly accessible, by clicking the links below. If you wish to reference any reports, please note the correct citation details included in each report.
Research on Parenting Programmes:
- What Makes an Effective Early Childhood Parenting Programme: a Systematic Review of Reviews and Meta-analyses
- What Makes an Effective Early Childhood Parenting Programme: a Systematic Review of Reviews and Meta-analyses (Chinese version)
- What Kind of Parenting Promotes 0-3-Year-Olds’ Development? A Review of Research Evidence in International and China-Specific Literature
- A Systematic Review of Parent-Child Reading in Early Childhood (0-6): Effects, Factors, and Interventions
Research on Early Years & Assessment:
- From Global to Local: How Can International 0-3 Curriculum Frameworks Inform the Development of 0-3 Care and Education Guidelines in China?
- From Global to Local: How Can International 0-3 Curriculum Frameworks Inform the Development of 0-3 Care and Education Guidelines in China? (Chinese version)
- (Re)constructing School Readiness From Chinese Young Children’s Perspectives: Interim Report
- Rapid Evidence Assessment on Quality Issues in Early Years Education in China
- Understanding Assessment in Early Childhood Education in China
Our Key Areas of Impact
1. We donate to community organisations across the UK that support:
- Arts and cultural access.
- Family and child wellbeing.
- Mental health and emotional resilience.
2. We provide emotional and cultural support to students and their families living in the UK with support including:
- Free informative webinars
- Free downloadable guides and handbooks
- Free in-person events or meetups for socialisation and help to navigate the education system and life abroad.
This strand of UCEC’s work is delivered in partnership with Homecamp Education, our dedicated student wellbeing and pastoral care partner. Homecamp specialises in holistic support for international students and their families. From emotional wellbeing to cultural adaptation, Homecamp ensures that every young person feels seen, safe, and supported throughout their journey.
3. We also offer advisory and philanthropic support to universities and colleges in the UK and China, particularly in areas such as:
- International partnership development.
- Student services.
- Community outreach and widening participation.
- Academic research on all areas in education.
Reach Out
We welcome collaboration with educators, organisations, donors, and community leaders who believe in the power of connection and care.
👉 Charities & Local Groups – Let us know how we can support your work!
👉 Universities & Colleges – Partner with us to enhance student life and community impact.
👉 Families & Volunteers – Join our informal support networks and contribute your voice.
📩 Email us at info@ucec-education.com
🌐 Or visit our Contact Page to find out more.
