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Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services

Dumfries and Galloway Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

17 Sep 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Dumfries and Galloway Council is procuring early learning, childcare and childcare brokerage services in Dumfries and Galloway. The requirement supports the Council’s statutory duty to provide funded pre-school education, including the 1,140-hour entitlement for eligible children. Through a flexible framework, approved providers will deliver funded Early Learning and Childcare placements and brokerage placements, allowing parents and carers to choose a provider that suits their needs. The opportunity is divided into three service areas: private and third-sector early learning and childcare settings, excluding childminders; childminder-delivered early learning and childcare; and childcare brokerage. The services are classified under CPV 85312110, covering pre-school education and childcare services. The framework is intended for providers able to register children for the relevant funded provision.

The process has reached tender: the Council invited offers through an open procedure using electronic submission. This is the September 2026 reopening of an existing flexible framework, with places available across all three lots; suppliers may bid for any number of lots. Offers must be submitted by 19 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC, when they will be opened by the Procurement Team. The framework is planned for 2,520 days, with an option to renew; it was originally awarded in February 2023 for five years with a possible further two-year extension. The framework may have up to 100 participants. Bids must remain valid for 90 days and be submitted in English. Selection covers suitability, economic and technical criteria, with service delivery reserved to a particular profession. Rates and Council contract terms must be accepted.

This opportunity suits established childcare providers, private and third-sector early learning settings, registered childminders and organisations capable of delivering childcare brokerage. It is relevant to suppliers that can provide funded early learning and childcare in line with the required standards, legislation and the Council’s procedural requirements. Providers must be prepared to accept the Council’s specified rates and contract terms rather than propose variants. The technical requirement indicates that delivery is reserved to a particular profession, so bidders should hold the professional standing and service capability required for their relevant childcare role. The framework structure can suit organisations seeking a place on a recurring public-sector arrangement, with separate routes for childcare settings, childminders and brokerage services. Existing framework providers do not need to re-apply.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services

Notice Description

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 to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands enabling them to access their child's funded entitlement with a provider that best suits their needs. All providers who apply and meet the expected standard, legislation and 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 enabling them to register children in 2027 to commence Brokerage placements from Q3 2027 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2027. This is the September 2026 re-opening of the framework. If you have already been awarded a place on this framework, you do not need to re-apply.

Lot Information

ELC - Private and Third Sector Settings (excluding Childminders)

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 to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands enabling them to access their child's funded entitlement with a provider that best suits their needs. All providers who apply and meet the expected standard, legislation and 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 enabling them to register children in 2027 to commence Brokerage placements from Q3 2027 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2027.

Renewal: The framework was awarded in February 2023 for an initial five year period with an optional extension of a further two years.

ELC - Childminders

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 to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands enabling them to access their child's funded entitlement with a provider that best suits their needs. All providers who apply and meet the expected standard, legislation and 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 enabling them to register children in 2027 to commence Brokerage placements from Q3 2027 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2027.

Renewal: The framework was awarded in February 2023 for an initial five year period with an optional extension of a further two years.

Lot 3- Childcare Brokerage

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 to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands enabling them to access their child's funded entitlement with a provider that best suits their needs. All providers who apply and meet the expected standard, legislation and 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 enabling them to register children in 2027 to commence Brokerage placements from Q3 2027 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2027.

Renewal: The framework was awarded in February 2023 for an initial five year period with an optional extension of a further two years.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000840871
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564752
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract 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

80100000 - Primary education services

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
17 Sep 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
19 Oct 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
This framework re-opens annually and if you have already been awarded a place on the framework, you DO NOT need to re-apply.

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Dumfries and Galloway 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
DUMFRIES
Postcode
DG1 2HP
Postcode Area
Dumfries and Galloway
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM9 Southern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM92 Dumfries and Galloway
Delivery Location
TLM92 Dumfries and Galloway
Local Authority
Dumfries and Galloway
Electoral Ward
Nith
Westminster Constituency
Dumfries and Galloway

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564752
    Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage 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 to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands enabling them to access their child's funded entitlement with a provider that best suits their needs. All providers who apply and meet the expected standard, legislation and 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 enabling them to register children in 2027 to commence Brokerage placements from Q3 2027 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2027. This is the September 2026 re-opening of the framework. If you have already been awarded a place on this framework, you do not need to re-apply.

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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