Childcare Office

University Support and Childcare Facilities

• University Childcare Information Service
• College Designated Childcare Contacts
• Student Parent Newsletters
• The University Nursery at West Cambridge
• Universities' Holiday Playscheme
• The Central Childcare Bursary Scheme (Overseas and EU students)
• The Access to Learning Fund (Home students)
• Queens' College Nursery
• Gonville and Caius College Nursery (The Mrs Cameron Day Nursery)
• The Wolfson Court nursery
• Contacting Other Student Parents

The University encourages child related events and there are groups and events held around the University. For more information please go to the University Events and Groups.

University Childcare Information Service

The University's Childcare Information Service can expand on the information covered in this guide. Free booklets and leaflets on choosing childcare, childcare regulations and childcare in Cambridge can be posted to you, on request. Use the contacts below to make an appointment if you wish to see the Childcare Information Adviser in person.

Contact

Laura MacDonald (Monday to Thursday)

Address

Childcare Office
21 Trumpington Street
Cambridge, CB2 1QA

Telephone

01223 (3)32249

Email

College Designated Childcare Contacts

Each College has a designated Childcare Contact who is a point of contact and a voice for student parents within their College.

The College Childcare Contacts are required to promote the Childcare Information Service, provide information on their College's family accommodation, and have knowledge of the financial support available to student parents. They are also encouraged to work with the College in order to ensure that arrival, orientation and social, pastoral and academic events are accessible to all student parents. Along with the MCR, Childcare Contacts are also encouraged to play a role in organising child-friendly events to enable student parents to meet, as well as facilitate communications between them.

If you have an issue relating to your status as a student parent at your College then please contact your designated College Childcare Contact directly. Please see table below for contact details.

College Childcare Contacts 2011-2012

Student Parent Newsletters

The free, regular student parent newsletters aim to keep students with children of all ages up to date with news and family events within the University as well as in and around Cambridge. The newsletters are also used by students to advertise events, buy and sell items and exchange information.

See the University Student Parent Newsletters section for further information on how to subscribe.

The University Nursery at West Cambridge

A staff-student University Nursery opened in July 2004 at the West Cambridge site off Madingley Road, near the Computer Laboratory, Cavendish Laboratory and the Vet School. There are 20 places ring-fenced for the children of current matriculated University students in residence. These are available year-round and there are no term-time only places. The nursery is managed on behalf of the University by Childbase Partnership. There is usually a waiting list in operation and you cannot be guaranteed a place for the period of your studies.

For more information, download the files below. Please note you cannot apply online. Application forms must be printed out, signed by hand and then passed onto College Tutors to complete before being returned to the childcare office.

University Nursery at West Cambridge: Information for University Students

• University Nursery at West Cambridge: Information for University Students
• University Nursery at West Cambridge: Information for University Students

University Nursery at West Cambridge: Application Form

• University Nursery at West Cambridge: Application Form
• University Nursery at West Cambridge: Application Form

Universities' Holiday Playscheme

The Cambridge Universities' Holiday Playscheme is a joint operation between the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). Children from 4 to 14 years can be cared for in the state school holiday periods (excluding the Christmas vacation and Bank Holidays). 4 year olds can attend from the Summer before they begin Reception class at school. See the Playscheme website for details, including timetables of activities and future Playscheme dates.

Places for University students are subsidised by the Joint Committee on Childcare for Students. Students also receive priority booking on a first-come, first-served basis at the same time as University staff and ARU staff and students.

The Playscheme has an email list. Email Playscheme — stating clearly you are a University student — for newsletters and information on booking forms and a timetable of activities approximately 6 weeks before the start of each Playscheme (after the previous Playscheme has finished).

For more information on other, non-University playschemes for school age children, please see the section Out of School Childcare and Playschemes.

The Central Childcare Bursary Scheme

The Central Childcare Bursary Scheme is only available to eligible overseas and EU students. Home students with dependent children should apply to the Access to Learning Fund.

For more information see the Central Childcare Bursary Scheme section. See also Childcare Bursary Scheme Frequently Asked Questions.

Access to Learning Fund

The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is principally for home students, but some other categories of student - including certain EU students who satisfy the residence requirements for statutory support - may be eligible.

The ALF supports students in financial hardship who may need extra assistance in order to access and remain in Higher Education. Students with children (especially lone parents) are a priority group for support.

See the University's Access to Learning Fund website

Queens' College nursery

Queens' College has its own small campus nursery based in Fitzpatrick Hall for children from 3 months to school age, open 8am–2.30pm, Mon–Fri during state school terms and half term holidays only. This nursery has 15 places, primarily for the staff and students of the College. Others may apply if Queens' does not fill the spaces. For further information contact Nursery Head Mrs. Sandy Bullett on 01223 335623 during nursery hours. Out of nursery term times, contact Ms Sandra Lackenby on 01223 335556.

Gonville and Caius College nursery (The Mrs Cameron Day Nursery)

Gonville and Caius has a nursery based near Harvey Court, Sidgwick Avenue site, with up to 25 places for children from 3 months to school age. Known as the Mrs Cameron Day Nursery, the facility is open 8.30am–5pm, Mon–Fri. Gonville and Caius staff, students and Fellows are given priority for places but any remaining vacancies are open to others. For more information, contact nursery owner Mrs Elizabeth Wiggam, or Nursery Manager Nicola Finlayson on 01223 740688 or email Gonville and Caius College Nursery .

The Wolfson Court nursery

Girton, Churchill, St John's and Trinity Colleges are connected to the Wolfson Court nursery, which opened in January 2005 on Clarkson Road, off Grange Road. Wolfson Court has up to 76 places for children from 3 months to school age and is open from 7.30am–6pm throughout the year. The nursery is run by Kids Unlimited, who operate a number of other private nurseries in the region. Priority places are available to staff, students and Fellows of Girton, Churchill, St John's and Trinity Colleges but the nursery is also open to others, including the general public. For more information and an application form, contact the nursery on 01223 461553 or email wolfsoncourt@kidsunlimited.co.uk. Alternatively, contact the individual Colleges or Kids Unlimited on 0845 365 2929.

Contacting Other Student Parents

Being a student parent or the partner of a student parent can be challenging as you have to manage the rigorous demands of academic life as well as home responsibilities. Meeting and talking to others in similar situations can help. There are a number of ways you can do this including the GU Parent Toddler Group, or the Student Parent Newsletters; all of which are available to students and their partners. The Cambridge University Student Parent Society has set up a Facebook Page as a means for Student Parents to connect, ask questions and find out about upcoming events. Some Colleges arrange occasional social and information events for student families where you can meet others. Contact your College Childcare Contact to find out what's on offer to families.