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Early Learning & Childcare Provision Framework (New Applicants October 2026)

East Ayrshire Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

26 Oct 2026 at 14:17

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

East Ayrshire Council is inviting new providers to join its flexible framework for funded early learning and childcare. The services support the Council’s duty to make funded provision available to eligible children when required, covering pre-school education and childcare in East Ayrshire. This is a reopening for new applicants under the framework’s existing terms; providers already included do not need to reapply. The framework was established to support continuity of service for parents and carers. Delivery is in East Ayrshire, with the Council based in Kilmarnock.

The Council reached the tender stage and invited applications through an open procedure for the framework. The deadline to express interest was 12 noon on 7 December 2026, and the submission deadline was 12 noon on 10 December 2026. The framework’s initial five-year term began on 1 April 2021 and was extended to 31 March 2028. It was originally intended to be reopened annually to new applicants. The procurement is divided into one lot and applications are submitted electronically. The evaluation basis and further application requirements are set out in the application and framework documentation. The framework operates under the same terms as the original application exercise.

This opportunity suits providers able to deliver funded early learning and childcare for eligible children in East Ayrshire, on an as-required basis. Applicants must meet relevant requirements under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, as amended. The Council requires applicants to provide the names and qualifications of staff assigned to the service, so suppliers should be able to demonstrate an appropriately qualified delivery team. The framework is intended for service providers seeking to supply childcare and pre-school education within a flexible, continuing arrangement. Contract performance requirements and the detailed application criteria are contained in the application and framework documentation.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Early Learning & Childcare Provision Framework (New Applicants October 2026)

Notice Description

Framework Agreement for Early Learning and Childcare Provision - New Applicants October 2026 OCTOBER 2026 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 ended 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-079046
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101073-2026
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
26 Oct 2026Today
Submission Deadline
10 Dec 20262 months to go
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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
East 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
KILMARNOCK
Postcode
KA3 7BU
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
East Ayrshire
Electoral Ward
Kilmarnock East and Hurlford
Westminster Constituency
Kilmarnock and Loudoun

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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