2026 - Flexible Early Learning and Childcare Service - Funded Providers

Notice Information

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Notice Title

2026 - Flexible Early Learning and Childcare Service - Funded Providers

Notice Description

Highland 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 2021.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Highland 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, this framework will be effective from August 2026. In accordance with The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, Regulation 74, the Council intends to establish a Flexible Framework to secure external providers who can supplement the Council's internal early learning and childcare provision. The proposed Framework will be for 3 years, with an option to extend for one additional year. There will also be options for Tenderers to apply to the Framework every 4 months. *Please note, you will not come into partnership with the Council until the term after your acceptance. 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 are seeking to 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. All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework. APPLICATION PROCESS The application process opens on 24th June 2026 and the initial review of applications will take 5 weeks with applications being reviewed thereafter on an ongoing basis. All applications are to be sent to the elcteam@highland.gov.uk email address. Ideally, applications should be completed electronically, rather than scanned and sent. This will ensure that the process is kept as efficient as possible. The application form and further relevant information can be downloaded once you have registered your interest in this notice. If you require further assistance, please contact: Caroline Green, caroline.green@highland.gov.uk Liz Scott, liz.scott2@highland.gov.uk Tracy McIlvar, tracy.mcilvar@highland.gov.uk

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000835391
Publication Source: Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN558625
Current Stage: Planning
All Stages: Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type: PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice
Procurement Type: Standard
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: 85 - Health and social work services
CPV Codes: 85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date: 24 Jun 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline: Not specified
Future Notice Date: 26 Jun 2026Expired
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

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Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer: HIGHLAND 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: INVERNESS
Postcode: IV3 5NX
Post Town: Inverness
Country: Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1): TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2): TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3): TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location: TLM6 Highlands and Islands
Local Authority: Highland
Electoral Ward: Inverness West
Westminster Constituency: Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

Further Information

Notice Documents

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=JUN558625&idx=1
24th June 2026 - Application Form
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=JUN558625&idx=2
24th June 2026 - Early Learning & Childcare Agreement - Terms and Conditions
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN558625
2026 - Flexible Early Learning and Childcare Service - Funded Providers - Highland 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 2021.

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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JSON Markdown

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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