This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Summary of the contracting process

The North Ayrshire Council has initiated a tender process titled "NAC/5011 Early Learning and Childcare Funded Entitlement (August 2023 Re-open to New Providers)" in Irvine, UK. This procurement process falls under the "services" category and is at the "open procedure" stage. The deadline for submissions is September 14, 2023. The Council aims to provide a funded childcare placement in accordance with the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, with a Flexible Framework lasting until July 31, 2025.

This tender presents an opportunity for businesses, especially childcare providers, to participate in delivering early learning and childcare services in compliance with national standards. Companies in the nursery services and childminding sectors, of varying sizes, are encouraged to apply. The North Ayrshire Council is the buying organisation leading this procurement initiative, offering a chance for suppliers to contribute to children's education and care services while adhering to the established contract terms and conditions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

NAC/5011 Early Learning and Childcare Funded Entitlement (August 2023 Re-open to New Providers)

Notice Description

North Ayrshire Council (the "Council") is required by Scottish Government, under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, to provide a funded placement of 1140 hours per year to all eligible 2 year olds and all children aged from 3 to those not yet attending Primary School, effective from August 2020. In accordance with The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, Regulation 74, the Council have established a Flexible Framework to secure external providers who can supplement the Council's internal early learning and childcare provision. The Framework is for 5 years, with options for Tenderers to apply to the Framework every 6 months. The framework end date is 31st July 2025. The estimated value is for the remainder of the framework across all suppliers, this is not the available amount for each supplier. This re-opening will cover the August 2023 re-opening obligations.

Lot Information

Lot 1 - Nursery Services (Including Private and Third Sector Setting)

NAC has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 1140 hours for eligible children and places a duty on the Council to offer increased flexibility to parents as to where and how their child can access their Early Learning and Childcare entitlement. Scottish Government made a commitment to extend the entitlement to all eligible children to 1140 hours for Early Learning and Childcare as set out in 'A Blueprint for 2020; Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland' (2016). The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands allowing them to access their child's funded entitlement with a range of ELC providers, therefore the Council have set up a Flexible Framework for the provision of early learning and childcare services under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Lot 1 of this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required from the private, voluntary and independent setting. All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework. This re-opening will cover the August 2023 re-opening obligations.

Lot 2 - Childminding Services

The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement of 600 hours, including the provision for eligible children and places a duty on the Council to offer increased flexibility to parents as to where and how their child can access their Early Learning and Childcare entitlement. Scottish Government has since made a commitment to extend the entitlement to all eligible children to 1140 hours Early Learning and Childcare as set out in 'A Blueprint for 2020; Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland' (2016). The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands allowing them to access their child's funded entitlement with a range of ELC providers, therefore the Council have set up a Flexible Framework for the provision of early learning and childcare services under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Lot 2 of this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required from the childminders setting. All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be able to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework. This re-opening will cover the August 2023 re-opening obligations.

Lot 3 - Settings where the Applicant has been registered with the Care Inspectorate less than 12 months

The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement of 600 hours, including the provision for eligible children and places a duty on the Council to offer increased flexibility to parents as to where and how their child can access their Early Learning and Childcare entitlement. Scottish Government has since made a commitment to extend the entitlement to all eligible children to 1140 hours Early Learning and Childcare as set out in 'A Blueprint for 2020; Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland' (2016). The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands allowing them to access their child's funded entitlement with a range of ELC providers, therefore the Council have set up a Flexible Framework for the provision of early learning and childcare services under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Lot 3 of this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required from the childminders setting. All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be able to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework. This re-opening will cover the August 2023 re-opening obligations.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000741748
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB498151
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

80110000 - Pre-school education services

85312110 - Child daycare services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£5,400,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Feb 20242 years ago
Submission Deadline
14 Sep 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Dec 20232 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Carol weir childcare services

Childcare Scotland Properties Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG486184
    NAC/5011 Early Learning and Childcare Funded Entitlement (August 2023 Re-open to New Providers) - North Ayrshire Council (the "Council") is required by Scottish Government, under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, to provide a funded placement of 1140 hours per year to all eligible 2 year olds and all children aged from 3 to those not yet attending Primary School, effective from August 2020. In accordance with The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, Regulation 74, the Council have established a Flexible Framework to secure external providers who can supplement the Council's internal early learning and childcare provision. The Framework is for 5 years, with options for Tenderers to apply to the Framework every 6 months. The framework end date is 31st July 2025. The estimated value is for the remainder of the framework across all suppliers, this is not the available amount for each supplier. This re-opening will cover the August 2023 re-opening obligations.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB498151
    NAC/5011 Early Learning and Childcare Funded Entitlement (August 2023 Re-open to New Providers) - North Ayrshire Council (the "Council") is required by Scottish Government, under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, to provide a funded placement of 1140 hours per year to all eligible 2 year olds and all children aged from 3 to those not yet attending Primary School, effective from August 2020. In accordance with The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, Regulation 74, the Council have established a Flexible Framework to secure external providers who can supplement the Council's internal early learning and childcare provision. The Framework is for 5 years, with options for Tenderers to apply to the Framework every 6 months. The framework end date is 31st July 2025. The estimated value is for the remainder of the framework across all suppliers, this is not the available amount for each supplier. This re-opening will cover the August 2023 re-opening obligations.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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