Addenbrookes Day Nurseries

[SickRose]

So I've been told that it's a nightmare getting on a waiting list for nurseries in Cambridge so I've started looking early. Very early. Baby isn't even born yet, that early. But apparently it's the smart thing to do!

So anyway, DH works on Addenbrookes site. I'll be based at Addenbrookes soon so we're looking at the nurseries in the area. I've narrowed it down to the two Bright Horizon ones on site, Long Road and the Bunnybrooke one. I also like the look of Rainbow Day Nursery in Trumpington which has an excellent OFSTED report. Does anyone have any experience with these nurseries? Struggling to find much online.

We used bunnybrookes when our dd was 3. I'm afraid I didn't rate it. The staff were nice but it seemed like chaos and there didn't seem to be many activities/toys etc set up. I don't know what the care is like for babies though.

Have you looked at Patacake Day Nursery? It is in Malta Road, off Mill Road, but not far from Addenbrookes. Both my children have been there from babies up to pre-school. Very safe, caring and stimulating environment, great staff. May have long waiting list though...

Thanks Cambduck, I'll focus on the other two. I like the look of the Trumpington one most anyway I think.

Jennycam1 I'll look into it but I think it might be a pain getting from Mill Road to the hospital and back at peak times.

Patacake told me I've got no chance of getting in before Sep 18, and even then I'm only on a waiting list . We applied over a month ago for our unborn child!

My friend's child went to Rainbow and loved it. My friend loved it too, but said drop offs and pickups were a parking nightmare.

We've been ringing round nurseries with increasing desperation ever since. All central-ish Cambridge nurseries on our side of the city seem to be similar. One told me I should have booked a spot on the waiting list as soon as I had a positive pregnancy test, if not sooner . I still can't work out if she was serious.

Unfortunately I think she was serious! Cambridge is crazy. Apparently the nursery on the science park still has places. I know someone that managed to get their child in with just a few months notice. DHs company 'contributes' to the Long Road nursery so we're hoping that will give us priority on the list. It doesn't result in a discount so I'm not sure how it can be considered a 'staff benefit' otherwise!

Take any in or legup the list you can get - and good luck!

You could look into a childminder instead. Details of childminders can be found on the council website and places like childcare.co.UK.

I had DC at Rainbow Day Nursery and I'm really pleased to see their latest OFSTED. We were so pleased with it. This is a few years back since the DC went to school so I can't speak for just now, but the things that impressed me about it were

• very low turnover of staff
• no matter who answered the door, from whichever room, always knew the DC's names
• everyone has a first aid certificate
• the forest school days are amazing and loved by the children

The nursery paperwork isn't as shiny as places like chains like Kids Unlimited and the outside of the building is , but the care and love of the staff there is fantastic.