Provision of Nursery Operator Services

Orkney currently has no private or third sector nursery provider. The council has been running a small temporary day care service for children aged 0-3 since August 2021 in an effort to meet the childcare needs of working families. In June 2020, Orkney Islands Council agreed to build a new 51 place 0-5 nursery provision next UHI Orkney in Kirkwall. It was agreed that the running of this provision would be tendered, creating a new opportunity for an interested operator. With the building project entering the next phase, with an anticipated completion of the end of March 2025, the newly built nursery will be, fit for purpose, high quality, and have impactful learning environments. The new service will replace an emergency childcare provision for children aged 0-3 operated by the council out of temporary premises. The provider will deliver the service in the setting and will provide childcare for children aged 0-5 with the option of being in partnership with the Local Authority to provide funded early learning and childcare for eligible children aged 2-5. The services will be registered with the Care Inspectorate as day care of children services. The contract will be a concession contract for a period of four (4) years with the option of four one-year extensions.. The contract will be for an initial 4 yr term with 4 x 12 months extensions available at the sole discretion of the Authority. The estimated value has been updated from original estimate in the Prior Information Notice and now based on existing level of fees for the Authority's interim nursery, however it will be up to individual bidders to decide on fees to be charged upon successful award.