Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services
Overview
Summary, notice description and lot information
Dumfries and Galloway Council is seeking to address its statutory duty of providing early learning and childcare services through a flexible framework contract focused on "Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services." The procurement process, classified under child daycare services, has completed its awarding stage as of January 2026, following an open procedure. The awarded contracts are set to enable providers to register children for upcoming placements starting in Q2 2025 and officially commencing funded services by August 2025.
The procurement will accommodate a range of settings across the UKM92 region, including private and third sector settings, excluding childminders, childminders, and childcare brokerage. This phase marks the July 2025 re-opening of the framework, confirming that awarded providers do not need to reapply. This procurement initiative opens substantial opportunities for early education providers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) like First Steps Nursery and Midget Gems Childminder, who have already secured contracts.
With an emphasis on quality criteria and flexible framework participation, this tender is well-suited to businesses offering innovative and adaptable services tailored to early years education. Organisations can leverage these contracts, valued at £48,686,143 per lot, as a significant growth opportunity by extending or commencing services within the defined contractual terms, thus expanding their operational footprint within the Dumfries region and meeting rising educational needs. Businesses demonstrating compliance with statutory guidance and procurement standards set by the Council are encouraged to participate, contributing to a competitive market that responds efficiently to community needs.
The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands enabling them to access their child's funded entitlement with a provider that best suits their needs.
All providers who apply and meet the expected standard, legislation and the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework enabling them to register children in 2025 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2025 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2025. This is the July 2025 re-opening of the framework. If you have already been awarded a place on this framework, you do not need to re-apply.
The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands enabling them to access their child's funded entitlement with a provider that best suits their needs. All providers who apply and meet the expected standard, legislation and the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework enabling them to register children in 2025 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2025 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2025.
The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands enabling them to access their child's funded entitlement with a provider that best suits their needs. All providers who apply and meet the expected standard, legislation and the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework enabling them to register children in 2025 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2025 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2025.
The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands enabling them to access their child's funded entitlement with a provider that best suits their needs. All providers who apply and meet the expected standard, legislation and the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework enabling them to register children in 2025 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2025 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2025.
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