A well-regarded nursery school in Carmarthenshire is set to close this summer, with its approximately 80 pupils moving to two nearby primary schools. The decision was approved by a majority of Carmarthenshire councillors on June 10, despite strong opposition from parents and the community.
Closure Details and Building Use
The building will continue to be used as an education facility, specifically for nursery-age children attending Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman. This move is part of a broader policy change in Carmarthenshire to ensure consistent education provision across the county. The council emphasized that the closure is not due to concerns about standards but rather to align with other council-maintained settings that offer part-time education for younger children.
Community and Parental Concerns
A consultation last autumn received 121 responses, mostly opposing the closure. A subsequent consultation this year garnered 29 responses, with 25 objecting and four in support. Objectors highlighted a recent positive Estyn inspection report, which praised pupils at Ammanford Nursery School as happy, enthusiastic, and motivated. Concerns were also raised about the wider impact on the town and whether the receiving schools could match the nursery's quality and stability.
Labour councillor Kevin Madge expressed disappointment, stating that Labour backed local parents and would not support the closure. He noted that Ammanford had been "short-changed" in terms of new schools, with no capital projects scheduled for the next five years. Green Party councillor Rob James sought assurances that Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman and Ysgol Bro Banw could manage the changes effectively.
Council's Rationale
The council acknowledged the positive Estyn report but reiterated that the closure was driven by policy changes regarding the age at which children start school. A report to full council stated that Ammanford Nursery School's full-time education was inconsistent with other council-maintained settings, even though it switched to part-time in January. The report also highlighted that the receiving schools had positive Estyn inspections, offer breakfast clubs and after-school activities, and that the nursery building would be used for nursery-age education, maintaining community access to local services.
Council education officers felt the proposals were beneficial, ensuring pupils would "move smoothly" from nursery to primary phase. Efforts will be made to redeploy affected staff, though redundancies cannot be completely ruled out.
Cllr Glynog Davies, Plaid Cymru cabinet member for education, said the proposal would ensure every child has the same education provision in Carmarthenshire, as Ammanford Nursery School was the only one of its kind in the county.
