**Carmarthenshire’s Only Council-Run Nursery School Faces Potential Closure Amid Proposals for Education Reshuffle**
Sweeping changes are being considered for nursery education provision in Carmarthenshire, as council leaders weigh the closure of the county’s sole council-maintained nursery school. Ammanford Nursery School, which currently offers full-time education to 81 children aged three to five, could close its doors as part of a wider drive to create a more consistent approach to early education across the area.
The proposals, if progressed, would also see the admission age at two nearby primary schools, Ysgol Bro Banw and Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman, lowered from four to three, expanding the early years offer at each setting. Unlike Ammanford Nursery, which uniquely provides full-time education, other council-maintained nursery settings in Carmarthenshire only run on a part-time basis. According to a recent council report, this has created an anomaly within the county – one the local authority wishes to address for the sake of uniformity.
Parents of current Ammanford Nursery pupils have the option to move their children into a primary school once they turn four, or to leave them in the nursery school for an additional year. However, education officers argue that these arrangements lack consistency with the wider county approach. Councillor Glynog Davies, cabinet member for education, told a public scrutiny meeting on 24 June that detailed consultation and planning would be crucial should the closure move ahead, with changes potentially taking effect from September 2026.
If the full proposal is implemented, educational provision for nursery-age children would come under the remit of either Ysgol Bro Banw or Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman, or another school of parental choice. It is worth noting that Ammanford Nursery occupies a wing of Ysgol Bro Banw and is situated in close proximity to both primary schools. “You can walk from one to another in less than a minute,” observed Cllr Davies, highlighting the practicalities of the planned transition.
There is, unsurprisingly, concern about the proposal among those closest to the school. Cllr Betsan Jones, who serves as an Ammanford Nursery School governor and lives locally, acknowledged that parents and staff are worried by the prospect of closure, though she also recognised the council’s aim to create a standardised system for all children county-wide.
The meeting heard that discussions had already been held with the headteachers and governors of the affected schools, with general support emerging for the planned realignment. Should the initiative progress to the next stage, a public consultation lasting six weeks is expected to take place in autumn, followed by further decisions early in the new year and, ultimately, a final determination by the full council in summer 2026.
Reflecting on the history of the nursery, committee chair Cllr Emlyn Schiavone noted that Ammanford Nursery School was originally set up by the former Dyfed County Council, along with similar institutions in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. “I am surprised it has taken so long to get to this point,” he commented, alluding to longstanding discussions around nursery reform in the region.
In his closing remarks, Cllr Davies stressed the importance of equity across the county: “The aim is to be fair with everybody and give every child the same opportunity across the county.” The move sits against a backdrop of falling pupil numbers in Carmarthenshire, which the council hopes to offset by expanding minimum nursery provision at primary schools.
As part of a separate, related proposal, Carmarthenshire Council is considering lowering the admission age at four other primary schools – Ysgol Cwrt Henri, Ysgol Llanbydder, Ysgol Y Tymbl, and Ysgol Y Ddwylan – enabling three-year-olds to receive a minimum of 10 hours of non-statutory education each week. Like the changes proposed in Ammanford, these plans would require further consultation.
It remains to be seen how popular the reforms will prove with parents and the wider community. Cllr Davies admitted there is “no guarantee” of uptake, but expressed optimism that families would benefit from the expanded options. “Sometimes you have to take a gamble and hope that it will prove its worth,” he said.
The proposals mark a significant moment for early years education in Carmarthenshire, with the potential to reshape provision for generations to come. For now, families and staff will await further details and the opportunity to share their views during the formal consultation stage later this year.