---
title: "Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-054460"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-054460"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054460.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054460.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL"
published: "2026-06-11"
---

# Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025

Buyer: RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-054460

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## Summary

Renfrewshire Council has implemented a multi-Provider Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places commencing on 7th April 2026, with an initial duration of four years, potentially extending to 2033. This procurement process, conducted as an open procedure under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, aims to enhance early learning services within Renfrewshire. The Flexible Framework covers child daycare services under CPV code 85312110, with lots for Registered Child Day Care Providers and Registered Childminders. While the procurement stage is currently comprehensive, the initial tendering began with an active status in the award phase, and contracts total £125 million GBP. This initiative offers a dynamic environment for service provision, allowing new entrants to join throughout its duration.

This Flexible Framework presents significant opportunities for business growth, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the child daycare and education sectors. Companies such as nurseries, independent childcare providers, and qualified childminders, especially those based in Renfrewshire, are well-suited to participate. With no guaranteed level of spend, the framework relies on a commitment to quality service and flexibility, offering local providers the chance to increase their market presence and establish long-term partnerships with the Council. The inclusion of various community benefits further incentivises businesses to contribute to broader socio-economic goals while enhancing service offerings within the local community.

## Notice

Renfrewshire Council is seeking to establish a multi-Provider Flexible Framework Agreement (Flexible Framework) for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Places. The Council is seeking to procure the service of local Providers in respect of the future provision of early learning and childcare places within the Renfrewshire Council Area in addition to and to supplement the service provided at Council premises. This will allow the Council flexibility to offer Parents and Carers (including kinship carers) a choice of Provider for the funded ELC entitlement via a Council owned and managed nursery or from an independent or third sector Provider. The Flexible Framework is for a period of 4 years with the option to extend for up to 12 months on 3 separate occasions, subject to satisfactory operation and performance. The Flexible Framework commenced on the 7th April 2026 and will expire on the 6th April 2030. Should all extension options be taken, the End Date will be the 6th April 2033. Providers' successful in obtaining a place on the Flexible Framework may have an Appointed Date which differs from the Commencement Date. The length of any Commissioned Place made under this Flexible Framework will be stated in the relevant Commissioned Place. A Commissioned Place may expire after the Flexible Framework End Date. Tenderers should note there is no guaranteed level of spend for any Commissioned Place awarded under the Flexible Framework; there is also no guarantee of payment being made to a Provider solely by appointment to the Flexible Framework. A flexible approach has been designed which will allow New Entrants to apply to be on the Flexible Framework.

### Lot Information

Registered Childminder

The Tender Procedure was conducted in accordance with an above Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) Threshold as an Open procedure relating to Services under Schedule 3 - Social and Other Specific Services of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. The scope of Services to be provided by a Provider under this Flexible Framework falls within the definition of a Chapter 3 Section 7 "Social and Other Specific Service" of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, as amended (Regulations) and therefore the Flexible Framework is not subject to the full requirements of the aforementioned Regulations. A flexible approach has been designed which will allow New Entrants to apply to be on the Flexible Framework throughout the Period of Contract. The Council will call off from the Flexible Framework. Tenderers should note there is no guaranteed level of spend for any Commissioned Place awarded under the Flexible Framework; there is also no guarantee of payment being made to a Provider solely by appointment to the Flexible Framework. Additional information: Tenderers must accept the Price as detailed in the Tender Documents. Tenderers must meet the selection criteria as detailed in this Contract Notice and also meet the required technical criteria as detailed in the Tender Documents.

Registered Child Day Care Providers

The Tender Procedure was conducted in accordance with an above Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) Threshold as an Open procedure relating to Services under Schedule 3 - Social and Other Specific Services of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. The scope of Services to be provided by a Provider under this Flexible Framework falls within the definition of a Chapter 3 Section 7 "Social and Other Specific Service" of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, as amended (Regulations) and therefore the Flexible Framework is not subject to the full requirements of the aforementioned Regulations. A flexible approach has been designed which will allow New Entrants to apply to be on the Flexible Framework throughout the Period of Contract. The Council will call off from the Flexible Framework. Tenderers should note there is no guaranteed level of spend for any Commissioned Place awarded under the Flexible Framework; there is also no guarantee of payment being made to a Provider solely by appointment to the Flexible Framework. Additional information: Tenderers must accept the Price as detailed in the Tender Documents. Tenderers must meet the selection criteria as detailed in this Contract Notice and also meet the required technical criteria as detailed in the Tender Documents.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055220-2026 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 11 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 9 Oct 2025 |
| Future notice date | 3 Aug 2025 |
| Award date | 30 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £125,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £125,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL |
| Locality | PAISLEY |
| Post town | Paisley |
| Postcode | PA1 1JB |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM3 West Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM33 Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire, and Renfrewshire |
| Local authority | Renfrewshire |
| Electoral ward | Paisley East and Central |
| Westminster constituency | Paisley and Renfrewshire South |
| Delivery location | TLM83 Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire, and Renfrewshire |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 35 |
| Supplier names | 3 BEARS NURSERY; ABBEYMILL CHILDCARE; BRIGHT STARTS NURSERY (INCHINNAN; CAIRELLOT NURSERY; CARLI'S KINDERGARTEN LTD (ERSKINE; CARLI'S KINDERGARTEN LTD (LINWOOD; CAROLE MCLACHLAN; CATHERINE WHYTE; CATHERINE YOUNG; CHILDCARE FIRST; CHILDREN'S HOUR; CLAIRE CRAWFORD; ELAINE PARKHILL; ERSKINE COMMUNITY NURSERY SCIO (BARGARRAN; GENESIS (J & T; HEATHER MURPHY T/A CARRIAGEHILL NURSERY; INCHINNAN COMMUNITY NURSERY; KAREN CHALMERS; KAREN FINNIE; KELLY RIX; KERRY GOUDIE; KIBBLEWORKS; KILBARCHAN COMMUNITY NURSERY (SCIO; KILPATRICK LEISURE; LEAPS AND BOUNDS (SCOTLAND; LITTLE FLOWERS; LITTLE STARS (STIRLING; LORNA BRADLEY AND MICHAEL BROWN, A PARTNERSHIP TRADING AS "STEPPING STONES; MALGORZATA KOWALIK TRADING AS LITTLE RABBIT; MAXWELLTON PARK NURSERY & OSC; ORCHARD GROVE NURSERIES; ROIN; SHARON WALLACE; THE COMMITTEE OF LINWOOD COMMUNITY CARE; THRIVE CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85312110 - Child daycare services

## Release History

- 11 Jun 2026 at 12:38 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055220-2026
- 28 Aug 2025 at 11:29 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051932-2025
- 6 Jun 2025 at 11:37 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030564-2025

## Notice URLs

- http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000799736
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000805931
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00400
- https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.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-054460. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054460.json.