Plans to create a dedicated Gaelic nursery at Hillview Early Learning and Childcare Centre have been approved by Renfrewshire councillors.
The proposals were considered at a meeting of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board on Thursday 20th August 2026.
The new provision is planned to open in August 2027 and would initially offer up to 10 full-time equivalent places.
Capacity could later increase to 16 children by registering outdoor learning space, subject to regulatory approval.
Hillview would continue providing care and learning for children from birth to five years alongside the dedicated Gaelic provision.
Preparations during the 2026/27 school session will include minor building work, recruitment, family engagement, curriculum development and registration.
Two Gaelic early learning practitioners would be required.
The development forms part of the council’s long-term ambition to establish a Gaelic education pathway covering early learning, primary and secondary education.
Gaelic-medium primary education opened at West Primary School in Paisley in August 2022.
The provision now covers Primary One to Primary Six and has welcomed 12 new Primary One pupils for the 2026/27 session, its largest intake so far.
The council will also continue exploring options for secondary Gaelic education. Two pupils from the West Primary provision are expected to begin secondary school in August 2027.
Officers acknowledged during the meeting that the written report only provided transport costs and should have included the full cost of delivering Gaelic education.
The board was told that the service cost around £320,000 during the previous financial year.
This included approximately £150,000 for transport and £170,000 for staffing.
The projected transport cost for 2026/27 is £174,730, including journeys to West Primary and Gaelic provisions in Glasgow and Inverclyde.
Funding for the Hillview development is expected to come from Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig grants alongside existing early learning budgets.