Planning

Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

16 Jul 2025 at 09:09

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process, titled "Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers," is being organised by the Department For Education in England. The project falls under the industry category of "Research and development services and related consultancy services" (CPV code 73000000) and is currently in the planning stage. This initiative is focused on conducting an annual survey to gather detailed information on early years childcare providers, essential for evaluating the impact of government policies. Located in England, the engaging phase for this procurement will conclude on 3rd August 2025, with further market engagement activities planned for the beginning of August.

This tender presents significant opportunities for growth, especially for businesses that can conduct large-scale surveys efficiently and with a methodologically robust approach. It is well-suited for organisations, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), that have the capacity to handle complex surveys with high response volumes, as approximately 10,000 providers participate annually. Interested parties are encouraged to engage with the market event to gain insights into the upcoming contract and align their capabilities with the requirements of the Department For Education.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers

Notice Description

Early years childcare in England is delivered by a large and diverse mix of providers - ranging from childminders, who deliver childcare to small groups of children in their own homes, to large nursery schools. Detailed information is collected about these providers, and about their childcare provision, via an annual survey. Results from this survey are used to monitor the early years sector and evaluate the impact of government policies, such as the recent expansion to government-funded childcare. We require contractors to design and carry out three waves of this survey (in 2026, 2027 and 2028). The contractors will need capacity to carry out a large and complex survey (recent surveys have been returned by approximately 10,000 providers each year) at speed. The survey will need to be methodologically robust, in order for its results to be published as Official Statistics. We will be holding a virtual market engagement event at the beginning of August, to provide more information about the contract for the next wave of surveys and answer questions about the survey. If you would like to attend and for more information on the date and time please forward your email address to john.canlin@education.gov.uk and you will be sent an invite.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-f7c7115a-3b55-4308-bce5-8889f96ad112
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5a524e71-a6f3-4664-9b4d-9a8c1c38e11e
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
3 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 2WD
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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