Childcare

The College has a workplace nursery situated on Sidgwick Avenue, near Harvey Court and the Stephen Hawking Building, with up to 25 places for children from 3 months to school age. Known as the Mrs Cameron Day Nursery, the facility is open 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

 

The Mrs Cameron Day Nursery is a self-contained unit with its own secure play area, sandpit and excellent resources. The location is Springfield house in the grounds of Harvey Court. A pleasant landscaped area surrounds the Nursery and incorporates an enclosed playground for safe and secure outdoor pursuits. We recognise the importance of early education in child development. The emphasis is on free play, structured activities and learning to lay the foundation for later school and to introduce the children to early numeracy, literacy and simple scientific investigation. The children experience art, woodwork, craft, music, dance, local visits, and walks. We encourage and develop the children's love of books from the earliest age.

 

Gonville and Caius staff, students and Fellows are given priority for places but any remaining vacancies are open to others. Places routinely open up leading into each September as the oldest cohort enter school, and Caians (current Fellows, students or staff) considering they may require a place are asked to apply before 15 June annually to obtain priority access.  After that date any remaining places are made available to members of other Colleges.

For more information, contact the Nursery Manager on 01223 740688 or email mcdn@wigwamnurseries.co.uk.

There is a salary sacrifice scheme available to Fellows and staff who are paid by the College. For more information about this, please contact our Human Resources Manager on 01223 332414.

The most recent Ofsted report may be found here: Ofsted | Mrs Cameron Day Nursery.

Childcare Contact

The Childcare contact for the college is Jane Howson. If you have any questions concerning childcare, she can be reached at operations.office@cai.cam.ac.uk or by telephone at 01223 332489.

The University Childcare Office website provides important information for student parents about local nurseries, childcare bursaries, and the University Playscheme. Their Guide for Student Parents is a useful resource.

The Childcare Office also produces a student parent newsletter with up-to-date local information about services and activities for families and children. To be put on the mailing list, please email childcare@admin.cam.ac.uk.