Staff and students gathered at New Hall yesterday (Sunday 13 October 2002) to discuss childcare provision and other forms of support available to students with children.

The event was organised by the Joint Committee on Childcare for Students in conjunction with the Students' Union, the Graduate Union and the Cambridge University Family Society. It was an informal opportunity for new student parents to meet each other, share ideas and problems, and to find out more about childcare provision in the city and the support available to them from the University and other sources.

Last year the Joint Committee commissioned a report on childcare provision in Cambridge and its surrounding area. The report highlighted the importance of central sources of information for student parents and recommended networking events as one way of keeping them informed.

The Joint Committee has now held two such events and has also implemented another of the report's recommendations: the recruitment of a childcare information clerk to act as a central source of information on childcare for staff and students right across the University.

Cassie Marks, who takes up her new role today (Monday 14 October 2002), had her first chance to meet students at the New Hall event.

The University currently has around 400 student parents, mostly graduate students. The main source of financial support provided by the University is the central childcare bursary scheme (funded by College contributions) which helps students with childcare costs.

Although the University does not offer students places at its (heavily oversubscribed) nursery, this will change in 2004 when a new nursery will open on the West Cambridge site. The new facility will have places for 88 children and will be open to both staff and students.

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