Partners and families at Churchill
If you plan on coming to Cambridge with a partner and/or a family, Churchill is the right place for you. Being surrounded by like-minded people who have kids and can relate to your concerns as a young academic balancing research and family life goes a long way. Plus by the time you are through your tenure in Cambridge, you child will have been surrounded by peers from virtually every corner of the world and you are in the position to plan intercontinental play dates with the friends you made there.
Roman, PhD student, Wolfson flats
Bringing Partners / Families
Churchill College is a wonderful place to bring your family while you study. We have 20 studio flats, ideal for couples, and 20 maisonettes which are designed for students with up to two children. Our accommodation videos provide an insight into what they are like, and what it’s like living here as a postgraduate. (Please note, you must seek permission from Postgraduate Admissions to bring your partner and/or your children to Cambridge.)
Our family accommodation also acts to provide students with an international parent and partner support network, not to mention a ready-made group of playmates for your children! Children and partners are welcome in the dining hall at self-service meals and the College will help provide facilities for family events. The MCR has a families officer on its committee.
Our tutors for postgraduates are familiar with the particular needs of students with partners and families. Students can request a college card for their partner, on their college account, which will give the partner access to many college facilities.
If you or your partner discovers that you are expecting a child during your time as a student, you should inform your tutor. There are at least three nurseries within walking distance from College, and there are registered childminders, who look after children in their own home, as options for childcare.
The University Childcare Office provides information for families with students on a variety of topics – from schools and nursery places, to childcare bursaries, to information the University Holiday Playscheme. The University Childcare Office also runs school holiday play-schemes for older children and some places are subsidised for students’ children.
Childcare
Churchill College is a partner in the Wolfson Court nursery opposite the college, off Madingley Road. Churchill students and staff have a priority on places and so if you apply you should state your connection to the College. To see the nursery and discuss an application, please contact the Manager at wolfsoncourt@kidsunlimited.co.uk.
The University also has a nursery on the West Cambridge site and the waiting list for places is run by the University Childcare Office, where you can also get advice on pre-school and after-school childcare, applying for schools and other areas of support.
All support is means-tested. UK and EU students can apply to the Access for Learning Fund administered by the University for childcare support and overseas students can apply for pre- and after-school childcare to the Childcare Bursary Scheme, funded by the colleges and administered by the University Childcare Office.
Forms are available from the College’s Postgraduate Office and will need to be counter-signed by your tutor. There is a requirement that the childcare provider, whether an individual or organisation, is officially registered and inspected.
Additional childcare and University childcare bursary information is available on the University and Graduate Union websites.
