Joint Colleges Nursery is a registered charity run by a Management Committee of parents under the supervision of the Charity Commissioners. Unlike our competitors, our objectives are not profit-making or commercial in nature. Indeed, we are bound by our charitable status to observe our objective of providing a high quality childcare centre for the people of Cambridge.
We do not have a share capital and do not have to compensate an owner for their capital investment. This structure has proved highly successful since our founding more than 25 years ago, providing hundreds of children with the best start in life.
A Brief History
In the late 1970s a group called the Joint Colleges Committee for Nursery Facilities began negotiations with Newnham College to convert the ground floor of a college building for use as a nursery. Shortly afterwards, Joint Colleges Nursery (Cambridge) Limited was established.
In 1987 the nursery moved to new purpose-built accommodation on Chaucer Road thanks to donations and an index-linked mortgage loan from several of the University colleges. In 1996 our excellent facilities were considerably updated, with an extension of the main nursery buildings and substantial redevelopment of the garden.
Although our history is linked with the University and JCN continues to be grateful for the support it provides, this does not in any way restrict who we can and cannot offer places to at JCN. Parents do not need to be affiliated with the University in any way.
Why JCN's Organisation is Ideal for a Nursery
The company's structure gives many benefits for JCN and is a major factor contributing to our ability to provide nursery care of the highest quality. It gives the best deal for all of those with an interest in JCN - our staff, parents and children.
Because we cannot extract profit from parents, our fees and staff remuneration packages are highly competitive. Any surplus that JCN does make is for reinvestment in the nursery. Children therefore have access to top quality carers and facilities.
Recently there has been a proliferation of nurseries in the Cambridge area which are members of large national chains. By contrast, JCN is a small company operating a single nursery. Our staff therefore do not have to obey the wishes of a central administration aiming to standardise the provision of care across the country and lower costs. The JCN is managed to meet the needs of our parents and children, providing personal, individual attention.
Our Management Committee, which makes policy decisions, is composed entirely of current JCN parents. Accountability is ensured as any parent may apply to be on the committee. We can therefore be confident that the Management Committee's policy decisions are what parents want.
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