A CONSULTATION has begun into education changes in Ceredigion that will include plans to teach all under-7s through the medium of Welsh.

The Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 outlines Ceredigion County Council’s “aspiration” that by September 2032 “all pupils in the authority’s schools will attend Welsh-medium immersion education until the age of seven”.

Aberystwyth has been identified in the plan as one of the main areas where uptake and use of Welsh-medium nursery and early years education is lagging behind the rest of the county.

A new language centre will also be built at Ysgol Gymraeg which will add 30 new places as a ‘latecomers’ immersion centre’ for primary school aged youngsters with no Welsh.

The plan also calls for an “expansion of Welsh medium provision in all childcare provision in the Aberystwyth area”.

Ysgol Cei Newydd is the only English language primary school in Ceredigion outside the Aberystwyth area.

A new council plan wants to create a new Welsh-medium nursery class at the school, with a target that all pupils are taught in Welsh up to the age of seven within 10 years.

Aberaeron has also been identified in the plan as an area where “more Welsh-medium childminder provision is required” to ensure youngsters are taught in Welsh.

Councillor Catrin Miles, Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Support and Intervention said: “Our schools play a vital part in helping to maintain a thriving Welsh language in our communities.

“This consultation upholds the vision of the new Curriculum for Wales where one of the main purposes is to ensure learners can communicate effectively in all settings and forms in Welsh and English.

“It is an opportunity for everyone to have their say on how they see what Welsh in Ceredigion Education should look like for the next 10 years.

“This will help us to build on the work that has already been done, and to ensure that the Welsh language can be seen, heard and enjoyed between children and provide them with the skills to reinforce a future where Welsh is prominent in the world of work, home life and businesses.”

The consultation ends on 12 November.