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Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants 26/27)

North Ayrshire Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

04 Aug 2026 at 17:02

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

North Ayrshire Council plans a flexible framework for funded early learning and childcare provision in North Ayrshire. The services cover pre-school education and child day care, including nursery provision and childminding. Lot 1 is for early learning and childcare services delivered by private, voluntary and third-sector settings. Lot 2 is for childminding services. The framework is intended to establish whether providers meet the National Standards and relevant legislation required to deliver funded placements. It is designed as a flexible route for providers to join during the framework term, subject to meeting the stated requirements. The council is the buying organisation and the work will be delivered across North Ayrshire.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the council has set out an intention to procure and there is no invitation to tender at this stage. It expects to use a flexible framework agreement covering two lots: nursery services, and childminding services. Providers will be accepted where they meet the minimum conditions, accept the framework rates and agree to its terms and conditions. Applications are expected to be evaluated within four to six weeks of receipt. The council expects the next notice to be published on 2 August 2027. The framework does not guarantee providers any work. Annual contract award notices are expected to confirm providers appointed in each year. Existing framework providers do not need to re-apply.

This will suit established nurseries, private early learning settings, voluntary and third-sector childcare organisations, and childminders operating in North Ayrshire. Suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate compliance with the National Standards and relevant childcare legislation, and to provide the evidence required for the relevant lot. The application is expected to require a completed information and requirements form together with the specified provider evidence; the council may request further evidence where the initial submission does not provide sufficient assurance. Successful providers will need to accept the council’s framework rates and model terms and conditions. The framework is intended to support funded placements, but appointment alone does not assure a volume of business.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants 26/27)

Notice Description

North Ayrshire Council's Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement is now live, and in accordance with the terms of the framework new applicants are invited to join the framework throughout the contract duration. All providers who apply and meet the miniumum conditions of the Flexible Framework agreement (i.e. the National Standards & relevant legislation as noted in the attached documentation) and who accept the rates/framework terms and conditions shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework Agreement. Please review the attached documentation for further information. Completed applications should be sent to procurement@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. Applications received during the Flexible Framework period will be evaluated in a 4-6 week period from the application date. Providers successfully appointed to the framework will be eligible to deliver funded placements from their date of appointment (i.e. the date an award letter is issued) until the Framework expiry date (31st July 2025). Please note, the purpose of the Flexible Framework Agreement is to ensure that Providers meet the National Standards and requirements to be eligible to deliver funded placements. Providers should note that being appointed to the Flexible Framework Agreement does not provide any guarantee of business. The terms and conditions of the Flexible Framework Agreement will be the Early Learning and Childcare Model Terms and Conditions. A PIN IS BEING USED AS A CONTRACT NOTICE SO THIS OPORTUNITY IS LIVE AT ALL TIMES SO PROVIDERS CAN SEEK TO JOIN AT ANY POINT.

Lot Information

Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings)

Lot 1 of this Flexible Framework Agreement sets out the minimum standards required from Early Learning and Childcare (Nursery) Services (including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector settings). To apply for this Lot Providers must: 1) Read and review all documentation attached to this notice; 2) Submit a completed Part A (Information and Requirements) Form; and 3) Provide all required evidence listed in Part B (Provider Evidence Requirements) for Lot 1 Where initial evidence submitted does not provide sufficient assurance, additional evidence may be sought by the Council. Potential additional evidence that may be sought is outlined in the attached documents.

Lot 2 - Childminding Services

Lot 2 of this Flexible Framework Agreement sets out the minimum standards required from Childminding Services. To apply for this Lot Providers must: 1) Read and review all documentation attached to this notice; 2) Submit a completed Part A (Information and Requirements) Form; and 3) Provide all required evidence listed in Part B (Provider Evidence Requirements) for Lot 2 Where initial evidence submitted does not provide sufficient assurance, additional evidence may be sought by the Council. Potential additional evidence that may be sought is outlined in the attached documents.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06dbbe
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073891-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
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

85312100 - Daycare 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
4 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Aug 202710 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
North Ayrshire 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
IRVINE
Postcode
KA12 8EE
Postcode Area
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
North Ayrshire
Electoral Ward
Irvine South
Westminster Constituency
Central Ayrshire

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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