Welfare and childcare provisions
If appropriate, check about childcare facilities as many colleges are only beginning to develop services in this area. Push Online’s university profiles tells you whether there’s a creche, but under that description can be anything from well-staffed care at subsidised cost for children from 6 months to 5 years old to some nobody who fancied a spot of babysitting, surrounded by squealing brats and tipped-up paint pots. In most colleges, the SU is either the main provider of childcare facilities on campus or knows best what provisions are available and will give an honest opinion of how good they are. Either get in touch in person – talk to the Welfare Officer – or ask for a copy of the SU handbook or alternative prospectus.
Although many students are aged over 21, many facilities still cater for the 18+ age range. Mature students can feel isolated and so it’s useful if there are others in the same boat and a forum for them to meet. Some SUs provide better support than others and many mature student groups organise their own functions. Under the Welfare section, the university profiles say whether there’s a mature students’ association.
Last updated on: 21 April 2008