University Nursery at West Cambridge

The University Nursery, 8 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FZ
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9.9 146 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.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

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

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 (146)

9.9

University Nursery at West Cambridge has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.943) out of 10, based on 32 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time University Nursery at West Cambridge has 146 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Reviewer Connection to University Nursery at West Cambridge
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Review from D B (Father of Child) published on 15 August 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has attended the West Cambridge Nursery for the last few years, and it has proven an exceptionally nurturing, creative and welcoming nursery. The staff are excellent and highly devoted to the children.
I cannot praise them highly enough.
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Review from D T (Father of Child) published on 29 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter enjoyed University Nursery at West Cambridge for the whole year. The whole team has been very supportive, answered all our questions and kept us informed about our daughter's progress. Our first daughter also went here. We feel like we are part of the family. I would definitely recommend
this nursery to any family who are looking for an excellent learning place for their kids. Thank you team.
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Review from Pingfan S (Father of Child) published on 17 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My kid has been attending West Cambridge Nursery for 2 years full-time. It is the first school where my kid is genuinely happy. She looks forward to meeting her buddies and teachers every day. The teachers and staff are amazing, with hearts full of care. They are kind, and friendly and truly love the
kids. Their warm smiles create a nurturing and learning environment. My kid often surprises us by demonstrating what she has learned. We witness her growth and learning. In sum, it's a safe, fun and loving place. We're thankful to the whole team.
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Review from Yuan R (Father of Child) published on 15 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great facility, great staff and great experience!
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Review from Leila N (Mother of Child) published on 2 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I would like to mention a specific experience, yesterday I picked up my child and while leaving, accidentally closed the door behind us - it happened to be upsetting for my daughter because like any 2-year-old she wanted to do it herself! She cried hard and loud and she was upset with me. The lady who
was sitting behind the counter came to help me. She helped my child to open and close the gate and brought her a snack (she was hungry too) This is how West Cambridge cares about children every single minute and does its best to keep them happy and safe! Thank you very much!
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Review from J H (Mother of Child) published on 17 June 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are so happy to get a three-day-per-week position here for our little girl, who became 13 months old when she joined ladybird1 this February. The key person and all the staff there are very nice and care for my girl deeply as I do. She is happy there and not in a rush to go home when I pick her up
after work. Looking forward to more time with the nursery for her to develop her skills.
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Review from Kyle K (Father of Child) published on 24 April 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing staff and the kids love it here. Cannot recommend more highly!
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Review from K B (Mother of Child) published on 5 March 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are so happy that our so is at West Cambridge Nursery. The staff are exceptionally kind and enthusiastic and obviously care deeply about ensuring that the children are happy and fulfilled.
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Review from C U (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been at West Cambridge Nursery for more than 4 months now. We feel very happy he is receiving good care and attention he needs as a toddler. The nursery staff, including the manager, are all very welcoming and friendly. They very much care about the feedback we have provided and take action
immediately. Overall, we would like to recommend the nursery very strongly.
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Review from P C (Mother of Child) published on 22 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We absolutely love University Nursery at West Cambridge, the staff are the best!
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Review from M W (Father of Child) published on 22 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have a very positive and caring view towards the work and staff at the nursery. Our son's well-being is clearly the focus of the staff and I think is is a wonderful environment for my child. I feel very safe and reassured leaving my son here. Clearly a lot of care and attention has been placed on
the children here.
All staff are happy to chat with us about our son and always have time for us. Thank you.
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Review from L C (Mother of Child) published on 9 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic nursery with great staff who nourish the children in a great environment.
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Review from Robert F (Father of Child) published on 18 October 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been at West Cambridge nursery since joining as a 1-year-old in October 2021 and has loved it ever since! The team are wonderfully supportive and provide a range of ever-changing activities to keep learning exciting, often following the interests of the children to come up with new
ideas. The menus are excellent with a range of healthy choices for the children to enjoy. If we ever have any questions, or need help with something, the staff are always so friendly and willing to assist. It is really reassuring to know that our daughter is being taken care of so well every day. We would definitely recommend!
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Review from N A (Father of Child) published on 20 September 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at West Cambridge for 4 years and we couldn't be more pleased with how she's been looked after.
All staff from practitioners to the catering team and even the maintenance team are so friendly and supportive. I can't recommend them enough!
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Review from K A (Mother of Child) published on 7 September 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter joined University Nursery at West Cambridge at 10 months old and now 4 years later is ready to leave as she starts primary school. If I could keep her here at West Cambridge forever I would!


The staff show so much love and care for all the children and I will be forever grateful for the

positive impact they have had during such important and formative years. I know so much of the loving and caring child who she has become is down to the staff at West Cambridge.


As a parent, it is incredibly reassuring to know she has been so happy at nursery and I have complete faith they look after her like she was their own.

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Review from L C (Mother of Child) published on 29 August 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The best nursery in Cambridge!
Both my boys attended from 1 year old to reception and we were always pleased with how loving and caring the staff are.
They learned a lot and were well-prepared by the time they went to reception.
Thank you so much! We will never forget West Cambridge Day Nursery.
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Review from A P (Father of Child) published on 29 August 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A very friendly, professional, and pleasant nursery offering children and their parents their fullest attention. All the employees clearly love their jobs which makes for a very welcoming environment. Watching the children develop has been a joy.
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Review from A O (Mother of Child) published on 29 August 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All three of my children have attended West Cambridge. The staff have all been wonderful - it has been a great experience for all of us and we will miss everyone immensely.
A fantastic nursery with kind, caring, and knowledgeable staff.
Thank you!
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Review from T I (Father of Child) published on 29 August 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent staff, friendly and caring.
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Review from S P (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have had our twins full-time at nursery for nearly four years. Our children are about to leave to start reception. Words are not enough to describe how grateful we feel to all West Cambridge personnel Everyone including key persons and practitioners, the management team have contributed incredibly
to our kids' development and growth throughout all this time. West Cambridge Nursery is like the extended family we could not see through difficult times during the pandemic. They feel like family as this is how they have treated us and our children. Thank you so much for everything.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.943)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.943) out of 10 for University Nursery at West Cambridge is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 32 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 32 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:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.943 for University Nursery at West Cambridge is calculated as follows: ( (365 Excellents x 5) + (16 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 384 Ratings = 4.943
  2. 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 32 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 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
    2. 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 32 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

10 Child Vacancies

Posted: 13 Nov 2025

Spaces available for University and non-University families

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Awards / Recognitions (21)

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 an Enhanced Service - more info.