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.

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Review from F P (Father of Child) published on 6 July 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The gathering for the Jubilee was most wonderful.
Our little one is extremely happy and safe here.
Thank you to all the team.
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Review from R M (Father of Child) published on 6 July 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
University Nursery at West Cambridge is a great nursery.
Staff are fantastic, caring and learning-focused.
We would definitely recommend them.
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Review from B Z (Mother of Child) published on 6 July 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is a lovely nursery. My son had a pleasant time. The staff are very patient and friendly. They taught my son how to share and respect people, which are very important in his life. I highly recommend West Cambridge nursery.
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Review from C F (Mother of Child) published on 29 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team at West Cambridge are really amazing. We have two children here, 10 months and 3 and a half - and we are incredibly happy. The staff are phenomenal. They go above and beyond to make sure the children are happy, healthy and in a dynamic learning environment. I can't recommend them highly enough.
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Review from Jim S (Father of Child) published on 22 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Absolutely great! We sent our child to this nursery after some negative experience with another nursery. The little one says he like this nursery better, very confidently. There was a time that my child was very often unhappy, and after some observation, we found it was because an older kid in the same
room often bullied him (took his toys, hit.). The issue was released after reporting the situation to the staff in the room - and the little one started to enjoy nursery again. This means to me that parents were listened to and their requests were not taken lightly (at least in the room we were in). In terms of learning, they taught quite a lot of Nursery Rhymes that the little one like to repeat at home. I did observe a significant improvement in his language. I am very happy to send my kids there.
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Review from Maria U (Mother of Child) published on 15 March 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I find the nursery and its team super professional, supportive and dedicated 100%. Since my 2.5-year-old son started visiting the nursery in October 2021. I can see how happy and well developed he is. Our move to the UK was not the easiest one and I am deeply touched by how supportive and warm the nursery
team has been over all this time. I can recommend it with confidence, as the best nursery, as it really is our second family now.
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Review from A H (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fabulous staff, who provide excellent care to my little one. They are attentive to detail and easy to communicate with. My baby has attended for almost six months now and has settled in really well. He loves the staff, is excited to leave for nursery in the morning, and always seems happy when we collect
him. Plus, I love that I can drop by in my lunch break to give him a feed and cuddle.
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Review from B G (Mother of Child) published on 21 January 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I've had two kids come through the nursery and I absolutely adore the place. The staff are incredible, really care about the children and it shows. My kids have been very happy here and I feel so fortunate to feel so confident in the care they get. It's always clean, the equipment is well maintained.
The gardens are amazing.
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Review from Millie D (Mother of Child) published on 1 November 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have always had such a welcoming and happy experience at West Cambridge University Nursery. The staff are always so friendly and helpful, making the start of my daughter's learning experience positive. The rooms are always so well presented and inviting, along with a range of learning tools that
my daughter always loves exploring. The nursery always keeps in good contact with me about upcoming events and celebrations, as well as how my child's day and development is.
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Review from David G (Father of Child) published on 3 September 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent in every respect. We were thrilled when we gained a place for our son and he has loved being at the nursery and through all four rooms. Being there with the other children has greatly helped his learning, social confidence, and language development. My wife and I have complete confidence that
the outstanding practitioners will do the best for him at all times.
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Review from Richard E (Father of Child) published on 3 September 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been well taken care of during the past year in pre-school. I can see the tremendous progress she has made in different aspects of her learning journey, including but not limited to meaningful conversation, expression of emotions, personal confidence, developing relationships, awareness
of her social environment, and curiosity to learn. Thanks to all the practitioners and manager for this feat.
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Review from R B (Mother of Child) published on 21 July 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The University Nursery at West Cambridge is excellent. The entire team is exceptional, highly knowledgeable, kind and child-centred. My boy absolutely loves the nursery, so do we.
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Review from R B (Mother of Child) published on 21 July 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The university nursery at West Cambridge is exceptional. All the staff are absolutely fantastic and very supportive. I have seen my daughter developing confidence and other important skills. She now has a very strong foundation that certainly will help her journey at school.
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Review from Prajina B (Mother of Child) published on 7 July 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
What I like about the West Cambridge Nursery is their open-door policy, if I have any issues or concerns I can approach a senior staff member and discuss anything that’s maybe worrying me. By being approachable and discussing things together we have been able to identify the problem, action and implement
a plan in the nursery setting with staffs help and support. By working closely with the staff and by making small changes we have seen a massive change in our daughter in the last two weeks. She is very content and she is has been glowing when I collect her in the afternoon. This indicates that she has had an amazing day, eaten well, napped and joined in various activities throughout the day. We appreciate the staff taking the time and energy to truly understand a child. Seeing her happy makes us happy while we are at work.
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Review from Ian C (Father of Child) published on 23 June 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have sent both of our daughters to University Nursery at West Cambridge and they both love it. The staff are very friendly and show an obvious love for the children. Our children have developed well and are very happy.
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Review from Kieran M (Father of Child) published on 4 May 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at University Nursery at West Cambridge are always friendly and polite. My daughter really enjoys her days at nursery and always returns home happy. My daughter really enjoys the activities set up each day and has learned a lot from the activities and staff. The menu caters perfectly for my
daughter's dietary needs and she seems to enjoy the range of different meals and snacks. My daughters favourite part of nursery is the outdoor space. The staff offer informative feedback every evening when I pick up on how my child's day has been and what she has been up to.
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Review from D U (Mother of Child) published on 27 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Wonderful nursery. Staff are very attentive, professional and kind. They serve great food and do wonderful activities. Their communication during lockdown was always on point, and I felt they took great care of their families, even when they were not in the nursery.
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Review from William (Father of Child) published on 23 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The University Nursery at West Cambridge is excellent. The team is exceptional - child-centred, brilliantly collaborative with parents, nurturing, stimulating and well-led. Everything the staff do “oozes” excellent care, and there is a strong, positive and welcoming culture across all staff groups,
from management to the practitioners. They made our transition from parental leave very easy with their confidence and reassurance. We are very happy our child is able to benefit from the time spent at the nursery.
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Review from Savvina T (Mother of Child) published on 6 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter started two weeks ago. We were quite stressed at the beginning as she is 2 years and 2months old and it was the first time leaving our house and spending the day with new people without us around. Two weeks later and the smile on her face every time we pick her up says it all! She is a
happy toddler!
Plenty of activities and amazing staff! Special shout out to the best key person we could ever ask for! Always patient with a smile and made this transition so much easier for our little one! Very professional and always happy to answer any of our questions!
Definitely recommend it!
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Review from K W (Mother of Child) published on 23 September 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter loves her nursery and care workers, and we do too. They provide a caring, interactive and exciting environment for her, and provide us with updates, safety information and ideas to follow things up at home. Her social, motor and language skills have developed rapidly since attending (she
has been there a year) and the food provided is nutritious and varied (and she eats better at nursery than home!). The staff are such high quality, and we couldn't be more pleased that she is there. Thoroughly recommended.
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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.