Loading...

University Nursery at West Cambridge

The University Nursery, 8 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FZ
University Nursery at West Cambridge Logo
University Nursery at West Cambridge logo
Not only did the nursery meet all our expectations but, in many areas, they exceeded themZaki H(Father of Child)
University Nursery at West Cambridge, Cambridge
I can see the difference when she comes home! The practitioners are so kind and attentiveBeth P(Mother of Child)
University Nursery at West Cambridge, Cambridge
The University of West Cambridge Nursery is truly the best you could ever ask forMahendrini A(Mother of Child)
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...  

Funding & Fees

Our fees include all consumables such as formula milk, nappies, nappy cream, baby wipes, sun cream, freshly prepared well-balanced meals throughout the day and all activities. Our full fee information is available to download on our website.

Contact University Nursery at West Cambridge to get a personalised quote:

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery

Opening Schedule

Open all year

Full days available

Yes

Half day sessions offered

Yes

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Lesa Clare (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 64

Total Places for Children

  • 120

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Meals Provided

No

Consumables provided

No

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 car park pass.

University Nursery at West Cambridge Reviews (154)

9.9

University Nursery at West Cambridge has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.927) out of 10, based on 33 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time University Nursery at West Cambridge has 154 reviews.

Filter Reviews
Overall Experience
Date Published
Reviewer Connection to University Nursery at West Cambridge
Loading...
Showing 154 reviews matching selected criteria
Review from T A (Father of Child) published on 15 June 2026 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience
This is our baby’s second nursery. The first, an experience we would rather forget. Our baby is there, he has ‘his’ own personality. There is no difference in what he does & eat at home and what we are told he does and eats at the nursery.
Regular digital updates also keep our minds at rest. We see him happy and playful in the photos, and handovers in the morning is not a teary affair.

Behind all these are the staff. We are grateful for the care they provide, the warm smiles they offer us when we step in their premises, and have no hesitation to recommend the nursery to any family!

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from T P (Father of Child) published on 9 June 2026 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

The level of care my son receives at the West Cambridge nursery is first class. The educators are so welcoming and engaged and everyday they are working with him to to improve his knowledge and skills. Their use of exploratory pedagogy to allow the children to develop inquiring minds is so powerful. The administration at the nursery is very good at community and understanding of circumstances that arise when families are navigating young children and working at the same time. Thank you to the nursery for such a wonderful experience for my son, and making my wife and I so welcome in the nursery community.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from Alex P (Father of Child) published on 9 June 2026 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Excellent, staff thoughtful and attentive. Can't fault the nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from D H (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2026 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

We are so pleased with how our daughter has settled into the nursery. The staff have really taken the time to know her, and there are many times when she comes home saying their names and so I know she enjoys her time there! We are so happy with the University Nursery at West Cambridge, and it is a huge relief for me to be able to leave our daughter somewhere where she is clearly so comfortable.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from S K (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2026 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
We've had such a lovely experience at West Cambridge nursery, especially in the Ladybird room. The staff there are truly wonderful - warm, attentive and genuinely engaged with the children. It's clear they really care.
My daughter absolutely enjoys her time there and comes home happy, which means everything to me as a parent. She has bonded really well with her key worker Lucy and the other girls which all seem to be so warm and responsive. The team creates a positive and nurturing environment, and I can see how much effort they put into making the days fun and stimulating.
Kelly and Lesa as well are always incredibly responsive and supportive, and Tracy and Tom at reception are consistently friendly and helpful. It makes a real difference knowing there is such a kind and professional team looking after your child.

We feel very grateful to be part of this nursery community.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from Y S (Mother of Child) published on 9 March 2026 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

This nursery is truly amazing and always exceeds our expectations. I am impressed by the professionalism, dedication and care that the managers and the staff show towards my son and the other children. All of the staff are very thoughtful, reliable and communicative, and provide constructive answers to any questions we may have. Our key persons and others provide us with lots of information about his time at nursery, including details of physical, artistic and environmental activities, emotional interactions, friendships, mealtimes, sleep routines, and the development of various abilities. There are plenty of great fun and educational activities each week, and all the staff pay close attention to each child's unique interests. My son has enjoyed spending time with his friends and teachers, and he always comes home full of joyful stories. The greatest change we have noticed since he started at this nursery is that he has developed a healthy trust and positive relationships with others.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from S R (Mother of Child) published on 5 March 2026 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Very happy with this nursery. Staff are warm, genuinely interested in my child and attentive, observant to small behavioural changes. They offer a range of varied activities every day and lots of outdoor time. Great communication with a combination of the app giving real time updates, emails and face to face chats. Love the salary sacrifice payment option.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from C T (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2026 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Exceptional nursery! Our toddler is thriving here and always has such a fun time with the very friendly and professional staff. Every day there are new activities and healthy food choices too. We're so thrilled to send our child here.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from Gill K (Mother of Child) published on 19 December 2025 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

We have so enjoyed being a part of the West Cambridge family. From the first day in the baby room right through to the last day in preschool, the staff have always been so friendly and kind. Our key people in particular have been amazing, especially when we were nervous first time parents! Our boy is naturally quite quiet, but coming to nursery has helped him develop from nerves to confidence. We are very sad to have to leave but have some brilliant memories and friends to take with us!

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from N W (Mother of Child) published on 27 November 2025 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Excellent experience. Very kind and professional staff very supportive for both: child and parents. Child eat well, I don't need to worry about this side. I see huge improvement in my son learning ect. I am incredibly pleased that we choose this nursery, as I cannot imagine the better end.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from James P (Father of Child) published on 27 November 2025 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Our son Freddie has been welcomed into the family with open arms. We are so thankful to the wonderful staff here for making our son feel extremely comfortable in his new surroundings. Everyday I pick him up I see a new improvement in his development and learning. There is a real sense of family here at the nursery and I am proud to be a part of it and watch our son there in a happy and caring environment.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from Mahendrini A (Mother of Child) published on 18 November 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

The University of West Cambridge Nursery is truly the best you could ever ask for. My son started there when he was just one year old, and since then, it has become his absolute favourite place to be. He loves spending time at the nursery, and I can see every day how much he thrives in their care.

Everyone at the nursery, from the management to the staff, is incredibly friendly, supportive, and respectful of both my son's needs and ours as parents. What stands out most is the genuine care and individual attention each child receives. The team goes above and beyond to understand and support every child's unique needs, something I haven't seen in other places.

We feel so lucky to have chosen this nursery for our son. It's a nurturing, engaging, and truly special place, and I couldn't recommend it more highly.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from A R (Mother of Child) published on 10 November 2025 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Simply put, an excellent nursery! Our eldest thrived here and we're so pleased our youngest can now begin her journey. The staff are caring and understanding; it really feels like one big family. All ages have free flow into their dedicated outside areas, something we have struggled to find at any other nursery. The learning encourages, support and extends.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from M B (Mother of Child) published on 10 November 2025 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

I joined the nursery 6 years ago for my first daughter and came back for my second one. I love the fact that you feel at home, like in a family. I think kids feel this too. I have seen other nurseries but this one is the best. The way they look after kids and report to parents is very reassuring. Kids do activities that I could never do at home.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from R C (Mother of Child) published on 30 September 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Our child has been attending the nursery for almost a year now. He settled in very quickly when he first started attending the nursery. He really enjoys going to the nursery and there are always lots of different activities for the children to do to learn. Some the highlights included helping to bake a cake. The staff are also very caring and most importantly, we feel we can trust them to look after our child. We are so happy to have chosen the nursery and a great thank you to all the staff at the nursery!

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from J H (Father of Child) published on 15 September 2025 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

They have always looked after my son very well and he enjoys being at the nursery. In particular he enjoys the interactive learning.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from Abbie H (Mother of Child) published on 26 August 2025 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

We could not be more grateful for all the hard work of all the team at Cambridge West. Especially the manager, her dedication is outstanding. Two other members of staff are also invaluable assets to the nursery, and the support from another is incredible for our SEN child. They recently got awarded their outstanding Ofsted rating, and it is very clear why. Absolutely well deserved! Thank you a million times over. So glad we found you. Our child has developed so much, and it is a huge credit to you.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from Rakesh R (Father of Child) published on 24 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

The nursery has looked after both our children for a total of 7 years. We could not have asked for a better upbringing - they have been instrumental in their upbringing. They have helped them become kind, happy, friendly, confident and intelligent. The staff are both friends and family to us and we couldn't have hoped for a better start for our children.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from Geoffrey T (Father of Child) published on 1 July 2025 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Overall, we are very satisfied with the nursery. Our daughter appears to be settled well and generally enjoys the nursery. I marked the learning as satisfactory as I need to gather more information on what the teachers think of her development. Her language is coming along slowly - she understands a lot, but her talking is not as strong. Otherwise, her motor skills are good. She is getting quite emotional these days, but perhaps this is to be expected given her age.

Reply from Lesa Clare, Nursery Manager at University Nursery at West Cambridge

Thank you for your kind words and continued support of our nursery. We completely appreciate your interest in gaining a clearer picture of your daughters progress and understand that our team have since set up a parents evening meeting with you to discuss this in further detail. At this stage, its...  

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money
Review from N W (Mother of Child) published on 16 May 2025 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

West Cambridge nursery is a wonderful place! Both my children have loved their experience and adore attending and all the staff.

Facilities / Outside Space
Learning
Resources / Equipment / ICT
Care
Activities
Staff
Food / Nutrition
Management
Cleanliness
Safeguarding
Value for Money

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

News (7) & Events (0)

News
  • Posted: Thursday 31 Jul 2025There was cause for celebration at West Cambridge Day Nursery in Cambridge as proud practitioners and parents learnt that the setting had achieved an ‘Outstanding’ judgement from Ofsted for the...
  • Posted: Tuesday 27 May 2025Childbase Partnership has been awarded a coveted ‘Top 10’ position in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Places to Work List 2025, ranking the company amongst the best employers in the...
  • Posted: Monday 03 Mar 2025Childbase Partnership has topped the league tables for the second year running, maintaining the No.1 spot for the quality of Early Years care and education throughout its 44 day nurseries....
Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events for University Nursery at West Cambridge.

Awards / Recognitions (22)

Meet the Team (1)

Lesa Clare Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2009
Lesa Clare

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about University Nursery at West Cambridge

What is the Age Range of Children that University Nursery at West Cambridge accepts?

University Nursery at West Cambridge accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is University Nursery at West Cambridge Open?

University Nursery at West Cambridge is open: 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.

How many Children does University Nursery at West Cambridge have capacity for?

University Nursery at West Cambridge has capacity for a total of 120 Children.

How far is University Nursery at West Cambridge to the centre of Cambridge?

1.5 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

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 an Enhanced Service - more info.