Tender

Early Learning & Childcare Provision Framework (New Applicants October 2025)

EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

06 Nov 2025 at 15:45

Summary of the contracting process

East Ayrshire Council, located in Kilmarnock, United Kingdom, has initiated a public procurement process for the "Early Learning & Childcare Provision Framework" to invite new applicants as of October 2025. This open procedure targets the services industry, specifically focusing on pre-school education and childcare services. The procurement stage is currently at the tender phase, with the process having been re-opened for new providers to join the existing Flexible Framework Agreement. This Framework initially began on 1 April 2021 and has been extended to end on 31 March 2028. Interested applicants must express their interest by 12 noon on 15 December 2025, with formal submissions due by 12 noon on 18 December 2025. Providers from the East Ayrshire region, identified by the region code UKM93, are expected to deliver the services required under this framework. The procurement method adopted is an open procedure, ensuring transparency and broad participation in line with the Light Touch Regime under Scottish Government procurement legislation.

The reopening of this Framework Agreement presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in early learning and childcare services. Companies capable of providing high-quality pre-school education and daycare services can benefit from joining this framework, which supports East Ayrshire Council's statutory duty to offer funded early learning and childcare for eligible children. This tender offers not only the potential for stable, long-term engagements due to the extended framework period but also aligns with regional service requirements aiding continuity of service for local families. Businesses with the relevant technical and legal expertise, particularly those familiar with the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Children & Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, are well-positioned to compete in this sector-specific procurement process.

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Notice Title

Early Learning & Childcare Provision Framework (New Applicants October 2025)

Notice Description

Framework Agreement for Early Learning and Childcare Provision - New Applicants October 2025 OCTOBER 2025 REOPENING OF FLEXIBLE FRAMEWORK - NOTE THAT FUNDED PROVIDERS ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE FRAMEWORK DO NOT REQUIRE TO RE-APPLY, THIS NOTICE IS APPLICABLE FOR NEW APPLICANTS ONLY

Lot Information

Lot 1

As per the previously advertised Notice, the Flexible Framework commenced in April 2021 and in accordance with the terms therein, it is now being re-opened for new applicants to be included under the same terms as the original application exercise. Note that the initial 5 year term of the Framework commenced on 1 April 2021, therefore the end of the initial term of the contract will end on 31 March 2026 for all Providers included in the Framework, however an extension to this has been invoked as allowed under the terms of the Framework and therefore the new end date is 31 March 2028. ORIGINAL CONTRACT NOTICE TEXT: East Ayrshire Council require to set up a flexible Framework Agreement with Early Learning and Childcare Providers to support its statutory duty to make available funded early learning and childcare for all eligible children on an as required basis. The Framework Agreement will be for a period of 5 years with the option to extend for a further 2-years and will be re-opened for new applications to become a funded provider annually.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05dc17
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071746-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

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
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

80110000 - Pre-school education services

85312110 - Child daycare services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
18 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL
Contact Name
Heather Murray
Contact Email
heather.murray@east-ayrshire.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1563576000

Buyer Location

Locality
KILMARNOCK
Postcode
KA3 7BU
Post Town
Kilmarnock
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM9 Southern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM93 North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire
Delivery Location
TLM93 North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire

Local Authority
East Ayrshire
Electoral Ward
Kilmarnock East and Hurlford
Westminster Constituency
Kilmarnock and Loudoun

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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