Two classrooms have been refurbished at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castellau to create a modern Nursery and Reception unit – the first phase of a project to operate a local Welsh Medium childcare facility from the school later this term.
The Welsh Medium school in Beddau is benefitting from the new Nursery and Reception unit from the start of the 2024/25 academic year in September – after the refurbishment of two existing classrooms was completed over the summer, to create a space dedicated for the school’s youngest learners. The new unit represents an improved area with modern, 21st Century facilities.
The work completed so far is the first phase of a wider £1.5m investment with Welsh Government – with attention now turning towards preparing the school building to operate a permanent and dedicated Welsh Medium childcare setting, Cylch Meithrin Beddau. The space vacated by the former nursery classroom will help create the new full-time facility, along with remodelling of other spaces and a single-storey extension to the existing school building.
YGG Castellau currently offers a part-time Nursery in partnership with the Cylch Meithrin, through a wrap-around childcare service each afternoon. Moving the services to one venue, with more space available, intends to support growth into the school when children reach statutory school age.
The new classroom extension is on course to be completed by October half term, enabling Cylch Meithrin Beddau to occupy it from that point. The space will include fully-accessible rooms, refurbished toilets and improved outdoor play areas. The extension is designed to include renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, as well as rainwater harvesting systems.
Both elements of this scheme – the new Nursery and Reception unit and the new childcare space – are being made possible thanks to a significant £1.5m investment via Welsh Government’s Childcare and Early Years Capital Grant.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “The Nursery and Reception unit that has been delivered at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castellau is an excellent upgrade on the school’s previous classrooms. It conforms to the modern, 21st Century standards we continue to deliver right across the County Borough, via our School Modernisation Programme and joint projects within Welsh Government’s range of school investment programmes.
“I’m delighted that the new facility in Beddau has been completed in time for the start of the new academic year, with work going on through the summer to deliver this stimulating learning environment for some of our youngest pupils.
“Work to accommodate Cylch Meithrin Beddau is now ongoing, to construct a school extension and complete other remodelling work – to establish the dedicated childcare facility from October. Targeted investment projects such as these, to increase access to local Welsh Medium nurseries, conform to the seven outcomes in our ambitious, 10-year Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.
“The Council has an excellent recent track record of investing in Welsh Medium education. New facilities to increase the capacity at YGG Aberdâr and Ysgol Rhydywaun were completed in 2022 to meet an identified local demand, while we are also in the process of constructing a brand new school for YGG Llyn y Forwyn. A first-class new Welsh Medium primary school – YGG Awel Taf – is also opening this September with excellent facilities.
“There has also been other recent investment into Welsh Medium Early Years, which includes relocating the existing childcare facility at YGG Llyn y Forwyn into the new school building – along with the exciting development at YGG Castellau. With the first milestone reached on this project, I’m looking forward to seeing the childcare element developed in the weeks ahead.”
Posted on 11/09/2024