Booking and Payments
Why is the cost of my booking appearing as full price, even though I am a member of University staff/student?
Before any discounts can be applied to your booking, we have to verify either your employment with the University or enrolment as a student. If you are a new user, please email playscheme@admin.cam.ac.uk to organise this verification.
If you are an existing user and you have already been added to a Parent Group, the discount will be applied on the checkout screen of your booking if it is applicable.
Can I make payments via Tax-free Childcare?
Parents are able to pay via TFC, Childcare Vouchers or debit/credit card for the Holiday Playscheme. Parents can only pay via debit or credit card for the Multi-Sports Holiday Camp. More information can be found here for Holiday Playscheme and Multi-Sports payments.
I have paid but my payment isn't showing on my account.
We rely on receiving a payments list from the University's finance department, which we use to manually process all payments received. If your payment is not visible on your account 2 -3 weeks after it was made, please contact us on playscheme@admin.cam.ac.uk.
How do I cancel a booking?
Booked sessions can be cancelled at no extra cost until the booking closure deadline, which will be conveyed on Magicbooking, via email to parents on the mailing list and on our webpage Registration and bookings | Childcare Services. This will produce a credit note to your account, which can be used against any future bookings. Sessions cancelled after this deadline will not be credited to parents' accounts.
Exceptional circumstances will be considered at the discretion of the Playscheme Manager and the Head of Childcare Services. Please contact playscheme@admin.cam.ac.uk for further information.
Can I make a booking on the day?
In some cases, spaces may become available due to last minute cancellations. Parents are welcome to call the sites directly each day to enquire if there are any spaces available for that day, or check Magicbooking to see if any spaces have become available.
UCHP @ Trumpington Meadows Contact Number - 07739 985506
Any bookings made after the advanced booking period will be subject to an additional charge of £2.50 per child, per day.
If your child is in need of additional support during Playscheme, to ensure they are offered quality and continuity of care, Playscheme may only be able to accept booking requests made during the advanced booking period (and not normally on-site). This is to ensure that we have the time to make the necessary provision for your child by employing an experienced member of support staff and applying for funding (if both child and family meet set criteria).
Can I bring my child without booking first?
All bookings must be made prior to arriving on site. If you arrive at a site and have not booked, your child will not be accepted until a booking is made.
To book any sessions with UCHP, please use the following link to create an account: Log In - University of Cambridge (magicbooking.co.uk). Please see Registrations and Bookings for further details on creating an account and booking UCHP sessions.
Waiting List
Do you have a waiting list? How does it work?
Waiting lists for all school holidays and Playschemes are operated by Magicbooking.
in the event that spaces for the holiday are fully booked, UCHP will operate a waiting list and this will be managed by Magicbooking. You will receive communication on the site informing you which dates your child/ren has been added to the waiting list and their position on this list. You will then be informed if/when spaces become available and you will automatically be booked onto these spaces.
Please use the "Help?" button on the top right hand corner of your account page for any queries relating to the waiting list. If you are still unable to answer your question, please contact us at playscheme@admin.cam.ac.uk.
Playscheme
What happens if I am late to collect my child?
UCHP opening times are 08:15 - 17:45. If you arrive after 17:45, you will be asked to pay a Late Collection charge of 50p per child per minute which will be added to your Magicbooking account.
Can my child visit the Holiday Playscheme before their first day?
If you and your child would like to visit the Holiday Playscheme before either booking or your child attends their first day, please email playscheme@admin.cam.ac.uk to arrange this. We hold an Open Day annually before the school Summer holiday begins and we welcome visits during each Playscheme.
Can my child arrive later than 08:15 if they have a doctor's or dentist appointment?
All children can be dropped off and collected anytime between 08:15 - 17:45. Children are free to attend appointments at any time during our operating hours and return to Playscheme afterwards. If your child is going to an appointment first in the morning, please email us or call us on 07739 985506 to let us know that they will be late.
Is there space on site for children's bikes/scooters to be stored?
There are many bike racks available in the playground at Trumpington Meadows Primary School. We can also store children's scooters in the reception area, if you don't want them to be used during the day.