Student Parents
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In order for equality of opportunity to be a reality in Cambridge, quality affordable childcare is a necessity.
CUSU, the Women's Union and the CU Family Society work with the University for better childcare provision for its students, campaigning throughout the colleges and University for adjustments to improve the current situation for student families. We are working on improving applications from student parents and increasing the visibility of women with caring responsibilities within the Women's Union, CUSU, and around the University. We also want creche facilities at events and better publicity of available funds.
News
Your Students' Union and Student Parents
21.12.2009
CUSU is working to be a students' union which is accessible to students with caring responsibilities. The National Union of Students is supporting this work through their research and briefings. If you are organising events that you want to make more accessible to student parents, read this briefing for some guidelines. This can also be given to societies, colleges, or JCRs/MCRs to help them improve.
National Union of Students: Meet the Parents Briefing
Latest news on the University Nurseries
Over the last two weeks, the new nursery management company Child Base has been settling into the University nurseries. Those with places will have seen rooms transformed with new equipment - more is due to be delivered shortly.
The Childcare Office is in the process of handing over the West Cambridge nursery waiting list to Child Base management, and I will pass on contact details shortly for those currently waiting for a place.
For those interested in applying; there is more information and an application form available in the Cambridge Guide for Student Parents at www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/childcare/childguide/university.html#westcamb. Although students get priority for places, the waiting list is long and all applicants are advised to look for alternative childcare.
Upcoming Events
GU PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP:
A reminder for this GU-sponsored parent and toddler group which runs every Friday in and out of term
time from 10am at the University Centre, Mill Lane. The group is free for all students with children
and their partners. Toys and refreshments are provided.
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SATURDADS:
Saturdads is a free, drop-in parent and toddler group at the University Centre, Mill Lane for dads
and kids up to about three years. Mums are welcome too.
The dates for the next four months of Saturdads are: 28th Feb; 7th and 28th March; 3rd and 18th
April; 9th and 23rd May; 13th and 20th June. Sessions take place from 10.30 until approx 12.30.
Any questions, or to join the email list for date reminders, contact saturdads@googlemail.com.
Get Involved in the CU Family Society
The CU Family Society is now on facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/topic. php?topic=8546&uid= 70877237721#/group.php?gid= 70877237721
The CU Family Society organises events for families at Cambridge, supports social networks between parents and has an email list on which discussion, requests and information is circulate.
http://www.societies.cam.ac. uk/family/
Resources
University Childcare Office
http://www.cam.ac.uk/staffstudents/childcare/
Cassie Marks, the childcare advisor, is available for any advice and information on childcare, includingon those grants that are available. Her office is at 21 Trumpington street and she can be reached on the phone: 01223 (3)32249 or by email:
childcare@admin.cam.ac.uk.
Get the weekly Newsletter for Student Parents
email: childcare@admin.cam.ac.uk
The Guide for Student Parents is an online resource that covers the basic questions about being a student parent in Cambridge.
The University Nursery at West Cambridge
This nursery has spaces for children of students and staff, with some places reserved for students.
Information for University Students
Cambridgeshire Parent Partnership Service
The Parent Partnership Service (PPS) is a service for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs. It promotes positive outcomes for children and young people through partnerships between parents, schools, local authority officers and other agencies.
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/parents/support/partnership/
Phone: 01223 699211
parentgroups@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
The Cambridge University Family Society
The Family Society is a student-run organisation, aiming to provide support and information to student parents, their partners and children. The Society also aims to represent the needs of student parents at University level and to campaign on their behalf across the University.
http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/family/
Student Parent Newsletters
The weekly, free student parent newsletters aim to keep students with children of all ages up to date with news and family events within the University as well as in and around Cambridge. The newsletters are also used by students to advertise events, buy and sell items and exchange information.
See the Archive at www.cam.ac.uk/staffstudents/childcare/childguide/studentnews for further information on how to subscribe to receive the full newsletters by email.
GU Parent & Toddler Group
The Graduate Union sponsor a free, informal group to which students and/or their partners can bring their young children. It gives parents a chance to meet each other, relax and have tea, coffee and biscuits while the children play with the toys provided. The group runs every Friday in and out of term time from 10.00am - 12.30pm at the University Centre. Contact the Graduate Union Families Officer on families@gradunion.cam.ac.uk or the University Centre reception on 01223 (3)37766.
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National Union of Students': Student Parents Campaign and Resources
The NUS ran a survey about the experiences of student parents across the UK, which received well over 2,000 responses. The report which came out of the survey and accompanying research revealed the inadequacy of information, resources and understanding about student parents, but also highlighted the amazing achievements of student parents. This report will form the foundation of campaigns for student parent support in Cambridge. Please share your experiences of being a student with caring responsibilities with the Women's Officer (womens [at] cusu.cam.ac.uk) to help her support student parents!
Useful Information
For adverts on a whole range of items, don't forget: www.cam.ac.uk/cambuniv/ currentss/annevng.html as well as the
Moving Sales list accessed from the Accommodation Service homepage at www.accommodation.cam.ac.uk.
UNIVERSITIES' HOLIDAY PLAYSCHEME:
The Universities' (Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin) Holiday Playscheme operates during the state school holiday periods for school-age children. Booking forms for the Easter school holiday Playscheme (6-17 April 2009) will be emailed to parents on the Playscheme email list towards the end of next week. Places book up fast, so in order to guarantee your places, join the Playscheme email list by contacting playscheme@admin.cam.ac.uk, making it clear you are a student.
Paper copies of the booking forms are no longer being posted. You should print your form and complete it fully (incomplete forms will be returned to parents) then send it to the Childcare Office with payment, including evidence of relevant childcare vouchers. Emailed and faxed copies will not be accepted.
Further information is at: www.cam.ac.uk/staffstudents/ childcare/playscheme.
Children born in the UK to non-citizens on student-dependent or work visas:
Parents need to apply for "Further Leave to Remain" for their newborn using form FLR(O). As of Oct 2008, postal applications cost £395 and can take 4 to 14 weeks. In-person and same-day service applications cost £595 - appointments may have to be made at least several weeks in advance. Alternatively, parents and newborn can go back to their home country and apply for a student-dependant visa there--knowing that their newborn can not re-enter the UK until the visa has been processed.