Selly Oak
The Selly Oak district is located in the south of Birmingham and is a primarily residential area, home to many university students.
Selly Oak district covers the wards of Billesley, Bournbrook and Selly Park, Bournville and Cotteridge, part of Brandwood and King’s Heath, Druids Heath and Monyhull, Highter’s Heath, Stricley and part of Weoley and Selly Oak.
Selly Oak Facts
Did you know…
The ‘Oak’ part of the name Selly Oak comes from an oak tree situated on the Bristol Road and Oak Tree Lane junctions.
Bournville, also found in the Selly Oak district, is the location of the famous Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory.
Selly Oak Hospital was built as a workhouse in 1897. Over the years it expanded and developed, but finally closed in 2011 when all services were transferred to the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
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 Lead: Yvonne James & Laura Foster, Selly Oak Nursery School
Early Years Consultant: Charlotte Hutt and Zaida Nembhard
Area SENCo: Lucy McGrath
District representative on EY Forum: Nicola Pinneger
Email info@birminghamearlyyearsnetworks.org to contact your District Lead or steering group members.
All about Selly Oak
We’ve created a District Profile for Selly Oak 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.
Training and workshops
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
Join our online session for early years professionals: connect with key partners, explore the latest resources, offers, and sector support.
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
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.
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
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
This in-person workshop will support Early Years and Childcare professionals in embedding equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across their practice.
Level: Introductory
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
Thinking of becoming a childminder? This briefing is intended for individuals in Birmingham who are considering starting a childminding business.
Level: Introductory
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
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.
This in-person workshop will support Early Years and Childcare professionals in embedding equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across their practice.
Level: Introductory
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
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
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
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
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
Thinking of becoming a childminder? This briefing is intended for individuals in Birmingham who are considering starting a childminding business.
Level: Introductory
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
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
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
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
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
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 Selly Oak’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.
Selly Oak’s Birmingham Forward Steps Children’s Centre is the GBNFC Children’s Centre, led by Barnado’s.

