Northfield

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

Northfield district covers the wards of Allens Cross, Frankley Great Park, Kings Norton North, Kings Norton South, Longbridge & West Heath, Northfield, Rubery & Rednal, and part of Weoley & Selly Oak.

Northfield is part of the BEYN South Cluster of districts.

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 & Allen’s Croft Nursery Schools and Sam Richards, Gracelands & Jakeman Nursery Schools

Early Education Advisors: Giselle Nelson (Lead), Laura Pemberton, Gemma Sweeney

Early Years Consultant: Zaida Nembhard

Area SENCo: Rose Boulton

District Representative on EY Forum: Lesley Harris

  • Email info@birminghamearlyyearsnetworks.org to contact your District Leads, Early Education Advisors or other 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
WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Jun]
Jun 16
WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Jun]

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

CHILDCARE BRIEFING: Considering a Career as a Childminder? (Afternoon Session)
Jun 18
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)
Jun 19
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

Building Effective Transitions with Laura Henry-Allain
Jun 22
Building Effective Transitions with Laura Henry-Allain

Exclusively for Birmingham Early Years Practitioners - Laura Henry-Allain will share her top tips on the importance of supporting children as they transition through their Early Years stages.

Limited places - first come, first served

DSL Summer Meeting (Morning Session)
Jun 23
DSL Summer Meeting (Morning Session)

Summer DSL Network Session for setting DSLs (Designated Safeguarding Leads), managers, and owners.

Morning Session: 9:15-10:15 AM

DSL Summer Meeting (Afternoon Session)
Jun 24
DSL Summer Meeting (Afternoon Session)

Summer DSL Network Session for setting DSLs (Designated Safeguarding Leads), managers, and owners.

Afternoon Session: 2:30-3:30 PM

WellComm Data Session for Schools & Maintained Nursery Schools
Jun 24
WellComm Data Session for Schools & Maintained Nursery Schools

This session will demonstrate how to use the WellComm data spreadsheet to collate your screening data and prepare for sharing your  WellComm data with the Local Authority.

Alternative morning session available on Fri 26 June.

DSL Summer Meeting (Lunchtime Session)
Jun 25
DSL Summer Meeting (Lunchtime Session)

Summer DSL Network Session for setting DSLs (Designated Safeguarding Leads), managers, and owners.

Lunchtime Session: 12:00-1:00 PM

DSL Summer Meeting (Evening Session)
Jun 25
DSL Summer Meeting (Evening Session)

Summer DSL Network Session for setting DSLs (Designated Safeguarding Leads), managers, and owners.

Evening Session: 6:00-7:00 PM

WellComm Data Session for Schools & Maintained Nursery Schools
Jun 26
WellComm Data Session for Schools & Maintained Nursery Schools

This session will demonstrate how to use the WellComm data spreadsheet to collate your screening data and prepare for sharing your  WellComm data with the Local Authority.

Alternative afternoon session available on Wed 24 June.

WellComm Data Session for PVI Settings
Jul 3
WellComm Data Session for PVI Settings

This session will demonstrate how to use the WellComm data spreadsheet to collate your screening data and prepare for sharing your  WellComm data with the Local Authority.

Alternative evening session available on Mon 6 July.

BRIEFING: Driving Progress in Early Years Through Powerful Targets 
Jul 6
BRIEFING: Driving Progress in Early Years Through Powerful Targets 

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

WellComm Data Session for PVI Settings
Jul 6
WellComm Data Session for PVI Settings

This session will demonstrate how to use the WellComm data spreadsheet to collate your screening data and prepare for sharing your  WellComm data with the Local Authority.

Alternative morning session available on Fri 3 July.

BRIEFING: Driving Progress in Early Years Through Powerful Targets
Jul 7
BRIEFING: Driving Progress in Early Years Through Powerful Targets

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

WORKSHOP: Diverse Beginnings - Enhancing Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Childcare Settings
Jul 8
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: Driving Progress in Early Years Through Powerful Targets
Jul 8
BRIEFING: Driving Progress in Early Years Through Powerful Targets

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: Driving Progress in Early Years Through Powerful Targets
Jul 9
BRIEFING: Driving Progress in Early Years Through Powerful Targets

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 [Jul]
Jul 10
WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [Jul]

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: Aiming for a Successful Ofsted Inspection 2025/26 (Afternoon Session)
Jul 28
WORKSHOP: Aiming for a Successful Ofsted Inspection 2025/26 (Afternoon 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 [5 Aug]
Aug 5
WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [5 Aug]

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

CHILDCARE BRIEFING: Considering a Career as a Childminder? (Evening Session)
Aug 10
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)
Aug 11
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 [20 Aug]
Aug 20
WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [20 Aug]

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.