University of Cambridge Primary School Nursery Review

Clay snails, sprouting beans and stories turned into messy play give Meadows Nursery its character: children explore ideas by making, moving and talking. This is the nursery within University of Cambridge Primary School on Eddington Avenue, Cambridge. Play connects the learning.

The nursery opened in September 2021, with children joining from the term after their third birthday. Its youngest children take part in primary school life while learning through play, giving them experience of belonging to a bigger school community.

Stories become practical investigations here. Jack and the Beanstalk activities have included planting beans, observing their growth and mixing green paint for beanstalk pictures. Children have also explored alternative versions, including Jack and the Baked Beanstalk. Comparing familiar stories with unexpected twists gives them something concrete to discuss.

Naughty Bus has led to baked-bean messy play with a tea set, bus construction in the craft area and counting passengers. Maps extend the imaginary journeys. Small-group discussions introduce road safety, while stop-and-go games bring movement into the same theme. These activities connect early number work, language and physical play rather than treating each as an isolated task.

Sound gets children moving too: a drum sets a marching pace, claves accompany galloping and a tambourine prompts jumping. This phonics activity asks children to listen closely and respond through movement.

Outdoor experiences include water play, bubbles and comparing cool water with hot sand. Stories can move into the shade. Snail-themed learning has involved modelling creatures in clay and tracing spirals through paint and sand; planned group discussion asks children to compare slugs with snails. There is room for observation as well as imagination.

More recently, in November 2025, children explored clay's texture and shape, and used props and sound-making objects alongside Going on a Bear Hunt. Hands-on materials remain a visible thread through the nursery's activities.

Hot-weather activities have included learning about sun protection, drinking water and wearing sun hats. Families were asked to label sun protection and hand it to an adult, keeping it out of school bags. These activities linked outdoor play with learning to look after themselves.

Relationships are part of the learning too. Nursery activities include helping children think through disagreements. In January 2025, inspectors found that listening and positive interaction with adults and other children began in Nursery, a useful foundation for participating in group activities.

For special educational needs and disabilities, the school has a SEND coordinator whose remit includes early years. Families can contact sendco@universityprimaryschool.org.uk. An Education Inclusion Family Advisor also supports school families facing difficulties, providing another route for discussing concerns affecting home and school life.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat that application as a separate decision from choosing nursery provision.

Participation in the wider school's life gives children school experience; it should not be mistaken for an admissions advantage.

Nursery applications are handled by the school, with enquiries directed to the school office. Contact enquiries@universityprimaryschool.org.uk or call 01223 792440. The school is on Eddington Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0QZ.

For a previous summer term, families were asked to bring labelled hats and sun protection and leave them at school that term where possible.