Council’s Cabinet approves plans to consult on changes to age ranges in some primary schools

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved plans to consult on proposals to change the age range of Ysgol Y Ddwylan, Ysgol Llanybydder, Ysgol Gymraeg Y Tymbl and Ysgol Cwrt Henri schools during its meeting on 14 July 2025.

The Council’s Cabinet has also approved to proceed to consult on the proposal to reconfigure Nursery provision in the Ammanford area.

A six-week consultation period on the proposals will commence in September 2025, to include parents, pupils, governors and staff. During this period, stakeholders will have the opportunity to ask any questions and express their views.

These proposals follow the removal of the Rising 4s Policy in Carmarthenshire which means that as of 1 September 2025, children will be eligible for full-time school at the start of the term following their fourth birthday.

Children who have turned three are eligible for a minimum of 10 hours per week of non-statutory approved education provision delivered on a part-time sessional basis, either in one of the county’s 42 primary schools which are designated as age 3-11 schools and where this provision is maintained by the Council, or a minimum of 10 hours education in approved non-maintained settings such as day nurseries or Cylchoedd Meithrin. Working parents of eligible 3- to 4-year-olds are able to access up to 30 hours funded combined childcare and education via the Welsh Government’s Childcare Offer.

In communities where gaps in provision of the education element exist, the Council proposes changing some of its 4-11 schools to 3-11 schools, to enable them to deliver the minimum of 10 hours non-statutory Early Years education element and provide greater equity of provision across Carmarthenshire.

Cllr Glynog Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language said:

“We strive to provide every child in Carmarthenshire with the same opportunities and as part of this, I’m pleased that Cabinet has agreed to consult on the changes noted above in order to better meet primary education needs in these areas.”

“This is the first tranche of schools, with more primary schools in Carmarthenshire to follow in the future.”

Visit the Council’s website for more information on the Modernising Education Programme.