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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 01:00

OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

13 May 2025 at 01:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council procured a framework for early learning and childcare training services in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The requirement covers Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) approved qualifications, together with core professional learning courses for the early-years workforce. It is a services opportunity for organisations that design and deliver accredited training, professional learning and related childcare development programmes. The framework is divided into twelve lots across the SQA and SSSC approved qualifications and core professional learning categories, allowing suppliers to offer one or more areas. The buying organisations are public-sector education and local-government bodies, with the University of Aberdeen also identified as a participating buyer and supplier.

The procurement has been completed and awarded through an open procedure. The tender closed on 12 June 2025 at noon, bids were opened at the same time, and the award date was 12 June 2025. One framework award covers the recorded lot, with ten appointed suppliers: 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. The active contract was signed on 14 April 2026 and has a value of £16,000,000. Its stated duration is 1,080 days, with renewal permitted under the framework documentation. Evaluation allocated 40% to price and 25% to general requirements, with suitability requirements applying.

This award demonstrates established demand for accredited early learning and childcare training across the north-east of Scotland, delivered through a multi-supplier framework rather than a single provider. Suppliers well placed for comparable future requirements would need recognised SQA or SSSC qualification capability, experience delivering core professional learning, and the capacity to support early-years employers and practitioners across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The appointed field combines universities, colleges, specialist training providers, a childcare trust and smaller independent businesses, showing that both larger institutions and SMEs can be credible in this market. A competitor would need robust quality arrangements, suitable trainers and course infrastructure, and the organisational capacity to meet public-sector framework requirements. The award also indicates that participation can be commercially viable for focused regional providers as well as larger education organisations.

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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-r6ebe6-0000798575
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560630
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award 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
Complete
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Aberdeenshire Council
Additional Buyers

University of Aberdeen

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

Notice Documents

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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