--- title: "Early Education and Childcare Flexible Framework" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0437a4" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0437a4" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0437a4.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0437a4.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCIL" published: "2024-02-06" --- # Early Education and Childcare Flexible Framework Buyer: WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0437a4 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0437a4) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0437a4.json) ## Summary The Westmorland and Furness Council has initiated a tender process for the "Early Education and Childcare Flexible Framework" within the services category classified under education and training services. This procurement opportunity arises following a local government reorganisation where Cumbria County Council was replaced by two new unitary authorities. The contract period extends until August 31, 2025, with optional extensions available. The tender deadline is set for August 31, 2025, offering both electronic and written submission methods. This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses involved in providing early education and childcare services. Companies specialised in education and training services, particularly in the UK region, are well-suited to compete. Interested parties can access the tender details on the Westmorland and Furness Council's website and by contacting the specified email addresses. The procurement method for this tender is an open procedure, allowing fair competition and transparency in the process. ## Notice THIS IS NOT A NEW CONTRACT AWARD - THIS IS INFORMATION FOLLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION Local authorities have a legislative duty to secure free childcare places for eligible two, three and four year olds. Every child is eligible for up to 570 hours (1140 for families eligible for 30 hours free childcare per academic year over no fewer than 38 weeks and up to 52 weeks of the year. Local Authorities have a duty to ensure that each child is able to access their free entitlement no later than the beginning of the term following the meeting of the eligibility criteria On 01 April 2023, Cumbria County Council ceased to exist and is replaced by two new unitary authorities; Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council. The current countywide framework for Early Education and Childcare was due to end on 31st August 2023. This notice seeks to inform the replacement of Cumbria County Council to the two new authorities. New framework agreements from each authority were issued to existing providers and will be issued to new providers with effect from the 1st April 2023 which will reflect both Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness new local authority footprints. From this time, each new council will manage the addition of new providers on to their framework. Existing providers already on the framework do not need to re-apply to this framework. Newproviders can access the framework at www.the-chest.gov.uk or by contacting free.entitlement@cumberland.gov.uk or free.entitlement@waf.gov.uk ### Lot Information Lot 1 THIS IS NOT A NEW CONTRACT AWARD - THIS IS INFORMATION FOLLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION Local authorities have a legislative duty to secure free childcare places for eligible two, three and four year olds. Every child is eligible for up to 570 hours (1140 for families eligible for 30 hours free childcare per academic year over no fewer than 38 weeks and up to 52 weeks of the year. Local Authorities have a duty to ensure that each child is able to access their free entitlement no later than the beginning of the term following the meeting of the eligibility criteria On 01 April 2023, Cumbria County Council ceased to exist and is replaced by two new unitary authorities; Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council. The current countywide framework for Early Education and Childcare was due to end on 31st August 2023. This notice seeks to inform the replacement of Cumbria County Council to the two new authorities. New framework agreements from each authority were issued to existing providers and will be issued to new providers with effect from the 1st April 2023 which will reflect both Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness new local authority footprints. From this time, each new council will manage the addition of new providers on to their framework. Existing providers already on the framework do not need to re-apply to this framework. New providers can access the framework at www.the-chest.gov.uk or by contacting free.entitlement@cumberland.gov.uk or free.entitlement@waf.gov.uk Renewal: Optional extensions available detailed in the tender documentation. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003926-2024 | | 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 | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 6 Feb 2024 | | Submission deadline | 31 Aug 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCIL | | Locality | KENDAL | | Post town | Lancaster | | Postcode | LA9 4DQ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD1 Cumbria | | ITL 3 | TLD14 Westmorland and Furness | | Local authority | Westmorland and Furness | | Electoral ward | Kendal Strickland and Fell | | Westminster constituency | Westmorland and Lonsdale | | Delivery location | TLD North West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 80000000 - Education and training services ## Release History - 6 Feb 2024 at 15:38 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003926-2024 ## Notice URLs - http://www.the-chest.gov.uk - https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/ ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0437a4. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0437a4.json.