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Framework Agreement for the Provision of Early Learning and Childcare Training Services (SQA and SSSC) - Approved Qualifications and Core Professional Learning

Aberdeenshire Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

21 Jul 2026 at 17:00

Award Notice
Tender

13 May 2025 at 15:09

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council procured a framework for early learning and childcare training services. The requirement covers Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) approved qualifications, together with core professional learning courses. Services are intended to support training and professional development in the early learning and childcare workforce. The procurement was divided into twelve lots across the two qualification and learning categories, with the recorded award relating to one lot. Delivery is in the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire area. The main category is education and training services, including pre-school education services. Both councils are involved in the requirement, with Aberdeenshire Council identified as the buyer.

This procurement has been awarded through an open procedure for a framework agreement. The tender closed on 12 June 2025, with bid opening at noon that day and evaluation beginning on the same date. The contract was signed on 14 April 2026 and is active. The recorded contract value is £16,000,000. The framework contract period is 1,080 days, with renewal allowed under the procurement documentation. Ten suppliers were appointed: University of Aberdeen, Aberlour Child Care Trust, Cairn Training (Aberdeen) Ltd, Dundee and Angus College, Eastlin Ltd, Grampian Training Services, Kate Hookham trading as Do Learn, Lorndale Aberdeen Ltd, North East Scotland College, and Mitchell & Murdoch Care Ltd. Evaluation included price and quality, covering general requirements, candidate outputs, implementation, continuity, management information, sustainability, community benefits and fair working practices.

This award demonstrates demand from two Scottish councils for providers able to deliver accredited early learning and childcare qualifications and structured professional learning. Credible competitors would need appropriate SQA and SSSC accreditation or delivery capability, qualified trainers, robust course design and reliable assessment arrangements. The evaluation shows that buyers will examine more than teaching quality: candidate outcomes, implementation planning, business continuity, contract management, management information, sustainability, community benefits and fair working practices all matter. The appointed field included universities, colleges, training companies, a childcare trust, care-sector expertise and several small and medium-sized enterprises, indicating that both substantial institutions and specialist providers can be relevant. Suppliers should therefore be able to evidence quality, operational resilience and effective delivery across the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire early years workforce.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework Agreement for the Provision of Early Learning and Childcare Training Services (SQA and SSSC) - Approved Qualifications and Core Professional Learning

Notice Description

Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council require a range of Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA and SSSC) accredited and core professional learning courses. Consequently, they are seeking tenders for the Provision of Early Learning and Childcare Training Services Framework Agreement - Approved Qualifications and Core Professional Learning. The Councils have split this tender opportunity into twelve separate lots under two different categories (SQA and SSSC approved Qualifications and Core Professional Learning). Tenders may be submitted for one or more lots. For more information, please refer to the invitation to tender documentation.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council invite tenders for the Provision of a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Early Learning and Childcare Training Services. The Councils have split this tender opportunity into twelve separate Lots under two different categories (SQA and SSSC approved Qualifications and Core Professional Learning) . Tenders may be submitted for one or more/all lots. For more information, please refer to the invitation to tender documentation.

Renewal: As per documentation.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051229
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068888-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

80110000 - Pre-school education services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£16,000,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
12 Jun 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Apr 20264 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Aberdeenshire Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ABERDEEN
Postcode
AB16 5GB
Postcode Area
Aberdeen
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM5 North Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Delivery Location
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Local Authority
Aberdeen City
Electoral Ward
Midstocket/Rosemount
Westminster Constituency
Aberdeen North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
10
Supplier Names

Aberlour Child Care Trust

Cairn Training (Aberdeen) Ltd

Dundee and Angus College

Eastlin Ltd

Grampian Training Services

Kate Hookham T/a Do Learn

Lorndale Aberdeen Ltd (Great Western Assessment & Training Centre)

Mitchell & Murdoch Care Ltd.

North East Scotland College

University of Aberdeen

Further Information

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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