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
  • 137
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Date Published
  • 146
  • 10
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  • 32
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Reviewer Connection to University Nursery at West Cambridge
  • 95
  • 51
Total of 146, showing 141-146
Review from Ina (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
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!
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Review from Stefanie (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
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!!
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Review from Katie S (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
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.
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Review from Lucy H (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
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.
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Review from Diana C (Mother of Child) published on 21 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
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.
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Review from Vivian S (Mother of Child) published on 15 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
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.
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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.