NEWS
May 2025
The University of Cambridge Holiday Playscheme (UCHP) Summer 2025
This summer holiday UCHP will be operating from two venues, Trumpington Meadows Primary School and The University of Cambridge Sports Centre and Gym.
- Holiday Playscheme - Trumpington Meadows Primary School
UCHP offers exciting activities, social interaction and a safe place to learn and play. Please look through our webpages to learn more about a day at Playscheme.
Dates: Monday 28th July – Friday 22nd August
Opening times: 08:15 – 17:45
Age range: children between reception year and age 14 years 11 months
- NEW* Multi-sports Holiday Club - University of Cambridge Sports Centre and Gym (trial for summer 2025)
The Multi-Sports Holiday Club is an exciting opportunity for children interested in sports to learn a new skill, develop their talent and play competitively amongst their friends. The club, facilitated by sports coaches and the playworker team, will include a large variety of sporting activities and is suitable for all abilities.
Dates: Monday 4th August – Friday 15th August
Opening times: 08:15 – 17:45
Age range: children of school years 1 – 7
To find out more about both the Holiday Playscheme and the Multi -Sport Club please click here.
Groups A, B, D and E
Booking will open: Tuesday 20th May at 09:00
Group C
Booking will open: Tuesday 17th June at 09:00
Booking for all groups will close on Tuesday 1st July at 23:59.
Please visit our website for information on registration and booking sessions and fees.
February 2025
Important Information about Easter and May Half Term Holidays 2025
The University of Cambridge Holiday Playscheme (UCHP) will be closed for the Easter and May half-term 2025 school holidays. The February half-term Holiday Playscheme will run as normal.
We are closing UCHP temporarily so that we can implement the recommendations of a review into childcare provision provided to staff and students and deliver a service that works best for our University families.
We have collaborated with Smart Kidz Play and Learn to provide some alternative holiday childcare. If you are in Parent Group A or B, you can book your child's place at a Smartkidz location for the same price you would otherwise pay for UCHP by emailing info@smartkidzplayandlearn.co.uk.
How to book your child’s place:
- Email Smartkidz directly at info@smartkidzplayandlearn.co.uk and their team will be in touch. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK A PLACE USING THEIR WEBSITE. Doing so will mean that you will miss out on your discounted rate.
- Email playscheme@admin.cam.ac.uk to let us know that you would like to use Smartkidz and we will confirm your parent group with Smartkidz.
- Once we have confirmed your Parent Group (associated with the University) with them Smartkidz will send you instructions on how to book a place.
Other local Childcare provisions, activities, and outings are also available during the Easter and May half-term school holidays, a full list of which is provided below:
Local childcare provisions, activities and outings – holiday club information for parents
January 2025
Changes to Early Years Funding
There are now additional funded hours of childcare available for eligible working families.
The University’s workplace nurseries are now able to offer the additional funded hours of childcare to eligible working families for children aged 9 months and above.
If you have any queries, please speak to your nursery team.
To find out more about the scheme, support with childcare costs and to see whether you are eligible please follow the link to the Childcare Choices website.
There are spaces available for certain booking patterns and age groups across all the University's workplace nurseries. For information about our nurseries and how to apply, please follow the link to the Childcare Services website or contact us on childcareservices@admin.cam.ac.uk.
