University Nursery West Cambridge receives second “outstanding” Ofsted rating

Following an inspection in January 2020, the University nursery at West Cambridge has received its second “outstanding” rating from Ofsted. This means that the West Cambridge and Edwinstowe Close sites, run on behalf of the University by Childbase Partnership, both continue to hold “outstanding” ratings. The Eddington site opened in 2018 and is yet to be inspected by Ofsted.

The latest inspection at West Cambridge follows an “outstanding” rating in 2013, and is particularly impressive since a tougher inspection process and enhanced Early Years Framework were introduced last year. Only 9% of settings inspected since these changes were introduced have achieved the top rating.  

The Ofsted inspector’s comments included:

• "Children thrive in this extremely welcoming and nurturing nursery. Staff have very high expectations for all children and ensure that they benefit from a safe, highly exciting and inspiring environment."
• "All children are highly motivated and eager to learn. Children demonstrate exceptional behaviour and social skills… there is a happy and harmonious atmosphere throughout the nursery."
• "There are many opportunities provided to enrich children's communication and language skills…Children who are learning English as an additional language are very well supported and make rapid progress in their communication skills."
• "Practitioners nurture a love of reading in children."
• "Staff are very talented at encouraging children to solve problems and apply critical thinking. Children are inquisitive and enjoy experimentation. They are enthusiastic to test out different ways to use the resources."

The full report can be viewed on the Ofsted website. 

The University is working hard to meet the demand for additional high-quality facilities, and work is taking place to develop the University’s fourth nursery at Harrison Drive, off Hills Road. This new facility will offer a further 100 places to pre-school children of staff and students. Further work continues to locate additional nursery provision.

More information for University parents, including on the workplace nurseries, is available on the childcare webpages.