University Nursery at West Cambridge

The University Nursery, 8 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FZ
Submit a Review
10 136 Reviews
  • University Nursery at West Cambridge, Cambridge
University at West Cambridge is a purpose built nursery situated on the West Cambridge campus of Cambridge University.

A friendly and enthusiastic staff team works closely with the children to provide continuity between nursery and life at home. Professionals believe parent partnership is important to allow key people to support each child and their families as individuals.

The nursery offers childcare for employees of the University of Cambridge but also have a restricted amount of spots for local families who do not work or study at the university.

Each age group has its own designated garden directly outside its playroom, enabling all children to access a secure outdoor environment at any time of the day. The nursery has also obtained their Green Flag Eco-Schools Award.

In each of the five age groups, the children explore in light, airy and spacious rooms which provide them with the opportunity to grow and develop through a stimulating and sociable environment.

Show University Nursery at West Cambridge on the Map

Care Provided by University Nursery at West Cambridge

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Lesa Clare (Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Current Students and Staff of Cambridge University only
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 64
  • Total Places for Children
  • 120
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays (excluding May Bank Holidays)
  • Parking

  • Parking is on a shared carpark pass.


University Nursery at West Cambridge Reviews (136)

Total of 136, showing 121-136
10

University Nursery at West Cambridge has a Review Score of 10 (9.962) out of 10, based on 33 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time University Nursery at West Cambridge has 136 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 128
  • 8
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Date Published

136
5
16
33
103

Review from Alastair B (Father of Child) published on 14 June 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our two daughters love coming to nursery. The staff are excellent. The environment is first class. We are very happy with almost every aspect, from food to activities and learning tasks to management. There are two aspects that could be improved, although both are already good. 1, occasionally bookings
for holidays and bank holidays are missed - an online calendar for our children would help us to communicate dates better. 2, The outside space for the rooms might benefit from being a little larger, this is hard to achieve in the current building however.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Andrew G (Father of Child) published on 14 June 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have had an extremely positive experience at the West Cambridge Nursery. As a parent of a child with additional needs, we so appreciate the lengths to which the nursery has gone to, to support our son and our family. Great support, great teaching, great food - great everything! We have no hesitation
in enthusiastically recommending West Cambridge Nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Carol I (Mother of Child) published on 14 June 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

There are great carers for my child and other children in their class. They are very friendly, and caring and I feel very comfortable to leave my child in their care. Their service is excellent. I will recommend the nursery because of them.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Julian K (Father of Child) published on 14 June 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Awesome place. Awesome staff. My daughter says it is brilliant!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Kyle S (Mother of Child) published on 14 June 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had two children come through the nursery, one through caterpillar through to butterflies. Both my children have had a fabulous experience and really thrived. The staff are fantastic, warm, patient, kind, funny, full of energy and smiles (I don't know how they do it!). I feel extremely lucky
to have been able to have my children in such capable hands.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Alex T (Mother of Child) published on 19 May 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We love this nursery - our youngest daughter goes here. She is very happy here and I am really happy as well - it is never a problem to get her to go to nursery! Our older children went elsewhere and I really regret not having sent them here as well. It is a great place for children with good food and
excellent staff.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Rose T (Mother of Child) published on 13 May 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff very flexible very good at putting this nervous parent at ease! Child settled in quickly and is always excited when we pack her bag for nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Rui W (Mother of Child) published on 1 April 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The nursery is well organised and the staff are very kind and patient to the children. The food quality is good. My son really enjoys his time in the nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Ben W (Father of Child) published on 3 February 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter loves the nursery and so do we! The staff are very friendly, professional and take a keen interest in the children as individuals. The staff helped our daughter to settle in very quickly indeed, and she has formed close relationships with her key workers.


They have a great variety

of activities for the children each day and our daughter is developing really well in the rich environment. They also have a varied and ever-changing menu that she enjoys.


Our daughter always looks forward to going to nursery and comes home full of joy and enthusiasm.


Thanks to all the staff at the nursery for doing such a great job.


Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Teresa H (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

When I first brought my little son to nursery I had my doubts if he wasn't too young still, seeing that he was not yet a year old. However, after seeing him thrive the way he does after only 3 months at the West Cambridge Nursery, I know I made the right decision. I love that he is so close to his practitioner,
which is made possible due to the great ratio of children to practitioner. He is learning so much and enjoys all the activities offered to him. In general, I as a mother could not wish for a better place for my little one to stay at. My son is safe and happy and I get to enjoy the huge smiles from him after a great day at the nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Ina (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Our children love this nursery! The staff have been very helpful during the settling in period, offering additional sessions when necessary. They are very friendly and our children love them!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Stefanie (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am so very happy that my child attends nursery at West Cambridge. The staff are excellent - friendly, knowledgeable and communicative. My child receives the best care and always has a variety of activities to participate in. We love west Cambridge!!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Katie S (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The nursery staff are very thoughtful and caring and take a great deal of interest in the children's happiness and well-being.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Lucy H (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have been coming to this nursery for five years and have always been very happy with the care of my two children. The staff are great and while turnover is high and I think this is a sector issue and I also think Childbase expect a lot of their staff. The team go the extra mile, raising lots of money
to charity activities to take home and training courses in first aid etc. I would not hesitate to recommend the nursery. I was very lucky to get a place.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Diana C (Mother of Child) published on 21 January 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter started at nursery in September aged 5 1/2 months. The staff were excellent at reassuring us and making the transition as smooth as possible. She has developed a great rapport with her key workers and its brilliant to bring her in and see the grin on her face when she realises she is going
to be with them all day. The nursery communicates everything really well, so we can see her progress and they organise some wonderful activities - especially the messy ones which I cant do at home. She is so happy there, so we are happy too. worth every penny and great value for money. Thank you all. Its such a relief to know she is in such good hands.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Vivian S (Mother of Child) published on 15 January 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Overall I think the day care is great. The carers and staff are nice and are aware what the other is up to.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.962)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.962) out of 10 for University Nursery at West Cambridge is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 33 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 33 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.962 for University Nursery at West Cambridge is calculated as follows: ( (380 Excellents x 5) + (15 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 395 Ratings = 4.962

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for University Nursery at West Cambridge is based on 33 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 120 number of registered child places is 24, which has been reached with 33 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (20)

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Meet the Team (1)

Lesa

Lesa Clare

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2009

Lesa is the Manager of West Cambridge Day Nursery in Cambridge and has a wealth of experience, having worked in the early years sector for 21 years. Lesa has several qualifications, including an NVQ Level 3 Early Years Care and Education and has been with Childbase Partnership for 12 years.


What is your favourite feature of West Cambridge?
I love the family environment at the nursery, the warm and welcoming staff and the outstanding practice delivered throughout all of our rooms.


What are you most proud of about your nursery/team?
Being recognised as a top 20 rated nursery in East of England from DayNurseries parent reviews.


Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact University Nursery at West Cambridge to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. University Nursery at West Cambridge has a Platinum Service – more info.