Northfield

Northfield, located in the southwest of Birmingham, has a rich industrial and cultural history.

Northfield district covers the wards of Allen’s Cross, Frankley Great Park, Kings Norton North, Kings Norton South, Longbridge and West Heath, Northfield and parts of Weoley and Selly Oak.

Northfield Facts

Did you know…

The district was famous for the now demolished MG Rover Group car-making factory, currently the site of a new retail and housing development.

The Reverend W.V. Awdry, writer of Thomas the Tank Engine books, was a curate at Kings Norton Church for six years.

In the 19th Century, Northfield was known for its nail-making industry.

About

How it works

Each district has a steering group made up of representatives from across the Early Years sector and childcare provision in the district.

They seek to improve outcomes for children through termly district activity based on analysis of district data, sharing professional knowledge, working in partnership with other projects
and districts.

 

Who’s who

District Leads: David Aldworth, Shenley Fields and Allen’s Croft Nursery schools and Sam Richards, Gracelands and Jakeman Nursery Schools

Early Years Consultant: Zaida Nembhard and Tabassum Khanum

Area SENCo: Rose Boulton

District representative on EY Forum: Lesley Harris

  • Email info@birminghamearlyyearsnetworks.org to contact your District Lead or steering group members.

 
 

All about Northfield

We’ve created a District Profile for Northfield which highlights key statistics, education outcomes, and more.


Download for free now, and sign up to our mailing list to be kept up to date.

Download District Profile
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Training and workshops

Upcoming Northfield Events & CPD
Early Talk Boost @ Perry Barr Family Hub - November
Nov 4
Early Talk Boost @ Perry Barr Family Hub - November

Face-to-face Early Talk Boost training at Perry Barr Family Hub; each setting will receive two boxes of Early Talk Boost resources.

Places: 20

Level: Intermediate

Early Years Partnership Information Sharing Session
Nov 4
Early Years Partnership Information Sharing Session

Join our online session for early years professionals: connect with key partners, explore the latest resources, offers, and sector support.

Early Talk Boost @ Erdington Family Hub - 10 November
Nov 10
Early Talk Boost @ Erdington Family Hub - 10 November

Face-to-face Early Talk Boost training at Erdington Family Hub; each setting will receive two boxes of Early Talk Boost resources.

Places: 20

Level: Intermediate

DEMO & SUPPORT: WellComm Data Collection for Schools & Maintained Nursery Schools
Nov 11
DEMO & SUPPORT: WellComm Data Collection for Schools & Maintained Nursery Schools

This session will demonstrate how to use the WellComm data spreadsheet and how to return your WellComm screening results.

Alternative morning session available on Thu 23 Oct.

WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Nov]
Nov 14
WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Nov]

NEW WORKSHOP DATES for 2025/26

WellComm Part 1: This free online workshop will enable practitioners to use the WellComm Toolkit within their setting.

Level: Introductory

Early Talk Boost @ Erdington Family Hub - 17 November
Nov 17
Early Talk Boost @ Erdington Family Hub - 17 November

Face-to-face Early Talk Boost training at Erdington Family Hub; each setting will receive two boxes of Early Talk Boost resources.

Places: 20

Level: Intermediate

WORKSHOP: Diverse Beginnings - Enhancing Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Childcare Settings
Nov 18
WORKSHOP: Diverse Beginnings - Enhancing Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Childcare Settings

This in-person workshop will support Early Years and Childcare professionals in embedding equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across their practice.

Level: Introductory

The Power and Pleasures of Play with Tina Bruce & Chris Pascal
Nov 18
The Power and Pleasures of Play with Tina Bruce & Chris Pascal

Exclusively for Birmingham Early Years Practitioners - Professor Tina Bruce (CBE) and Professor Chris Pascal (OBE) will lead this session on reflective pedagogy, exploring the power and pleasures of play.

Limited places - first come, first served

DEMO & SUPPORT: WellComm Data Collection for PVI Settings
Nov 28
DEMO & SUPPORT: WellComm Data Collection for PVI Settings

This session will demonstrate how to use the WellComm data spreadsheet to collate screening data and prepare for sharing your WellComm screens on the EEE portal

Alternative evening session available on Wed 3 Dec.

Early Talk Boost @ Perry Barr Family Hub - December
Dec 2
Early Talk Boost @ Perry Barr Family Hub - December

Face-to-face Early Talk Boost training at Perry Barr Family Hub; each setting will receive two boxes of Early Talk Boost resources.

Places: 20

Level: Intermediate

DEMO & SUPPORT: WellComm Data Collection for PVI Settings
Dec 3
DEMO & SUPPORT: WellComm Data Collection for PVI Settings

This session will demonstrate how to use the WellComm data spreadsheet to collate screening data and prepare for sharing your WellComm screens on the EEE portal

Alternative morning session available on Fri 28 Nov.

WORKSHOP: Assessment and Moderation in the EYFS (Morning Session)
Dec 4
WORKSHOP: Assessment and Moderation in the EYFS (Morning Session)

Birmingham's Early Years and Childcare Service will guide you through the areas of assessment within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework

Level: Introductory

WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Dec]
Dec 4
WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Dec]

NEW WORKSHOP DATES for 2025/26

WellComm Part 1: This free online workshop will enable practitioners to use the WellComm Toolkit within their setting.

Level: Introductory

Early Talk Boost @ Edgbaston Family Hub - December
Dec 8
Early Talk Boost @ Edgbaston Family Hub - December

Face-to-face Early Talk Boost training at Edgbaston Family Hub; each setting will receive two boxes of Early Talk Boost resources.

Places: 20

Level: Intermediate

CHILDCARE BRIEFING: Considering a Career as a Childminder? (Afternoon Session)
Dec 8
CHILDCARE BRIEFING: Considering a Career as a Childminder? (Afternoon Session)

Thinking of becoming a childminder? This briefing is intended for individuals in Birmingham who are considering starting a childminding business.

Level: Introductory

CHILDCARE BRIEFING: Considering Starting a Childcare Business? (Afternoon Session)
Dec 9
CHILDCARE BRIEFING: Considering Starting a Childcare Business? (Afternoon Session)

Thinking of starting a childcare business? If you are considering opening a group-based childcare business in Birmingham (such as a Day Nursery or Preschool), this workshop is for you!

Level: Introductory

Curriculum Conversations: Early Years Curriculum Under the Lens
Dec 10
Curriculum Conversations: Early Years Curriculum Under the Lens

South Cluster Network Meeting: Exploring what Ofsted looks for—and what children need most.

Join fellow educators and leaders for a dynamic, in-person session of insights, best practices, and meaningful dialogue.

WORKSHOP: Diverse Beginnings - Enhancing Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Childcare Settings
Jan 15
WORKSHOP: Diverse Beginnings - Enhancing Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Childcare Settings

This in-person workshop will support Early Years and Childcare professionals in embedding equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across their practice.

Level: Introductory

BRIEFING: Target Setting for Early Years Personal Education Plans (PEPs) - Afternoon Session
Jan 19
BRIEFING: Target Setting for Early Years Personal Education Plans (PEPs) - Afternoon Session

A briefing session to support early years practitioners in setting clear and effective SMART targets for Birmingham’s Children in Care. 

Afternoon Session: 3:00-4:00 PM

WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Jan]
Jan 20
WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Jan]

NEW WORKSHOP DATES for 2025/26

WellComm Part 1: This free online workshop will enable practitioners to use the WellComm Toolkit within their setting.

Level: Introductory

BRIEFING: Target Setting for Early Years Personal Education Plans (PEPs) - Lunchtime Session
Jan 21
BRIEFING: Target Setting for Early Years Personal Education Plans (PEPs) - Lunchtime Session

A briefing session to support early years practitioners in setting clear and effective SMART targets for Birmingham’s Children in Care. 

Lunchtime Session: 12:00-1:00 PM

BRIEFING: Target Setting for Early Years Personal Education Plans (PEPs) - Evening Session
Jan 22
BRIEFING: Target Setting for Early Years Personal Education Plans (PEPs) - Evening Session

A briefing session to support early years practitioners in setting clear and effective SMART targets for Birmingham’s Children in Care. 

Evening Session: 6:00-7:00 PM

BRIEFING: Target Setting for Early Years Personal Education Plans (PEPs) - Morning Session
Jan 23
BRIEFING: Target Setting for Early Years Personal Education Plans (PEPs) - Morning Session

A briefing session to support early years practitioners in setting clear and effective SMART targets for Birmingham’s Children in Care. 

Morning Session: 10:00-11:00 AM

CHILDCARE BRIEFING: Considering a Career as a Childminder? (Evening Session)
Feb 2
CHILDCARE BRIEFING: Considering a Career as a Childminder? (Evening Session)

Thinking of becoming a childminder? This briefing is intended for individuals in Birmingham who are considering starting a childminding business.

Level: Introductory

CHILDCARE BRIEFING: Considering Starting a Childcare Business? (Evening Session)
Feb 6
CHILDCARE BRIEFING: Considering Starting a Childcare Business? (Evening Session)

Thinking of starting a childcare business? If you are considering opening a group-based childcare business in Birmingham (such as a Day Nursery or Preschool), this workshop is for you!

Level: Introductory

WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Feb]
Feb 19
WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Feb]

NEW WORKSHOP DATES for 2025/26

WellComm Part 1: This free online workshop will enable practitioners to use the WellComm Toolkit within their setting.

Level: Introductory

WORKSHOP: Transition (Afternoon Session)
Mar 3
WORKSHOP: Transition (Afternoon Session)

NEW WORKSHOP DATES for 2025/26

This free online workshop will explore how to prepare children and their families for a successful transition.

Level: Introductory

WORKSHOP: Assessment and Moderation in the EYFS (Afternoon Session)
Mar 10
WORKSHOP: Assessment and Moderation in the EYFS (Afternoon Session)

Birmingham's Early Years and Childcare Service will guide you through the areas of assessment within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework

Level: Introductory

WORKSHOP: Aiming for a Successful Ofsted Inspection 2025/26 (Evening Session)
Mar 19
WORKSHOP: Aiming for a Successful Ofsted Inspection 2025/26 (Evening Session)

NEW WORKSHOP DATES for 2025/26

This free online workshop will support you on your journey towards success at your next Ofsted inspection.

Level: Intermediate

WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Mar]
Mar 20
WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Mar]

NEW WORKSHOP DATES for 2025/26

WellComm Part 1: This free online workshop will enable practitioners to use the WellComm Toolkit within their setting.

Level: Introductory

 
 

Follow Northfield’s Birmingham Forward Steps Children’s Centres

To learn more about health and wellbeing services for children aged 0-5 in your district, connect with the Birmingham Forward Steps Children’s Centre via their Facebook page.

Northfield’s Birmingham Forward Steps Children’s Centres are Northfield Children’s Centre at Wychall and Northfield Children’s Centre at Frankley, led by Barnado’s.