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Coming up· published 19 Aug 2025

Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants)

North Ayrshire Council · North Ayrshire, Scotland

North Ayrshire Council is planning Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants). It is a framework for other health and social care in North Ayrshire.

Get help with this bidView the official noticeOCDS data

Source: Public Contracts Scotland, published 19 Aug 2025. Details are refreshed every 30 minutes.

Key dates

  1. 2025

    Pipeline notice published

    OJEU - F21 - Social And other Specific Services (Public Contracts) · 00:00

    View notice

  2. 2026

    Tender notice expected

    Date given in the buyer's earlier notice

01

About this tender

In brief

North Ayrshire Council is planning Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants). It is a framework for other health and social care in North Ayrshire. The buyer has published an early notice. It gives providers time to prepare before the tender opens.

Public Contracts Scotland published it on 19 August 2025. The OCDS ID is ocds-r6ebe6-0000804062. Bids are made through the buyer's Public Contracts Scotland portal.

Summary of the contracting process

North Ayrshire Council is currently in the planning stage of the procurement process for their "Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants)." The framework, categorised under services, aims to provide early learning and childcare services and is open to new applicants throughout its duration. Interested providers must meet the National Standards and relevant legislative conditions as stipulated by the council.

The procurement process, identified under CPV codes such as 85312110, will be carried out mainly in North Ayrshire, with the framework remaining active until 31st July 2025. Evaluations of submitted applications will occur within 4 to 6 weeks of receipt, allowing successful providers to start delivering services from their date of appointment.

About this tender

North Ayrshire Council's Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement is now live, and in accordance with the terms of the framework new applicants are invited to join the framework throughout the contract duration.

All providers who apply and meet the miniumum conditions of the Flexible Framework agreement (i.e. the National Standards & relevant legislation as noted in the attached documentation) and who accept the rates/framework terms and conditions shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework Agreement. Please review the attached documentation for further information. Completed applications should be sent to procurement@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.

Applications received during the Flexible Framework period will be evaluated in a 4-6 week period from the application date. Providers successfully appointed to the framework will be eligible to deliver funded placements from their date of appointment (i.e. the date an award letter is issued) until the Framework expiry date (31st July 2025).

Please note, the purpose of the Flexible Framework Agreement is to ensure that Providers meet the National Standards and requirements to be eligible to deliver funded placements. Providers should note that being appointed to the Flexible Framework Agreement does not provide any guarantee of business. The terms and conditions of the Flexible Framework Agreement will be the Early Learning and Childcare Model Terms and Conditions.

Lots (2)

  1. 01

    Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings)Planned

    Lot 1 of this Flexible Framework Agreement sets out the minimum standards required from Early Learning and Childcare (Nursery) Services (including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector settings).

    To apply for this Lot Providers must: 1) Read and review all documentation attached to this notice; 2) Submit a completed Part A (Information and Requirements) Form; and 3) Provide all required evidence listed in Part B (Provider Evidence Requirements) for Lot 1 Where initial evidence submitted does not provide sufficient assurance, additional evidence may be sought by the Council.

    Potential additional evidence that may be sought is outlined in the attached documents.

  2. 02

    Lot 2 - Childminding ServicesPlanned

    Lot 2 of this Flexible Framework Agreement sets out the minimum standards required from Childminding Services.

    To apply for this Lot Providers must: 1) Read and review all documentation attached to this notice; 2) Submit a completed Part A (Information and Requirements) Form; and 3) Provide all required evidence listed in Part B (Provider Evidence Requirements) for Lot 2 Where initial evidence submitted does not provide sufficient assurance, additional evidence may be sought by the Council.

    Potential additional evidence that may be sought is outlined in the attached documents.

02

Key facts

Every field the notice carries. Anything it leaves blank is listed under its table.

Contract

Service
Other
Procurement type
Framework
Category
Services
Contract period
Not specified - Not specified
Lots
2

Procedure

Notice type
OJEU - F21 - Social And other Specific Services (Public Contracts)
Current stage
Planning
Stages so far
Planning
Published on
Public Contracts Scotland

Not stated in the notice: procurement method, awardee scale.

Values

Not stated in the notice: tender value, lots value, awards value, contracts value.

Status

Tender
Planned
Lots
Planned

Not stated in the notice: awards, contracts.

References

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000804062
CPV code
80110000 - Pre-school education services; 85312100 - Daycare services; 85312110 - Child daycare services
CPV division
80 - Education and training services; 85 - Health and social work services
03

Location

North Ayrshire Council is based in North Ayrshire. The area the service covers can be wider, so check the notice and the lots.
Local authority
North Ayrshire
Town
Kilmarnock
Postcode
KA12 8EE
Electoral ward
Irvine South
Constituency
Central Ayrshire
Delivery area
North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire
Region
Scotland
Sub-region
North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire
Area
Southern Scotland
Country
Scotland
04

Buyer

Contracting authority

Organisation
North Ayrshire Council
Category
Services
Phone
+44 1294310000
Address
Irvine, KA12 8EE · Scotland · Scotland

Not stated in the notice: contact.

Call +44 1294310000
05

Documents and links

Official sources for this notice. The tender pack itself sits on the buyer's portal.
06

Questions about Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants)

When will the Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants) tender open?

North Ayrshire Council has not yet given a date for the tender notice. An early notice is the time to answer any market engagement questions and gather the evidence a bid will need.

Who is the buyer for Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants)?

North Ayrshire Council, based in North Ayrshire, Scotland.

How do I bid for Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants)?

Register on the buyer's Public Contracts Scotland portal, download the tender pack and check every condition of participation before you start writing. Care Sync Experts writes and reviews care tender bids from £1,500 + VAT.

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What to do next

  1. Read the early notice in full.
  2. Answer any market engagement questions.
  3. Gather your evidence and case studies now.
  4. Check your policies are up to date.
  5. Watch for the tender notice.
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