---
title: "Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000780590"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000780590"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000780590.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000780590.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL"
published: "2025-01-28"
---

# Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services

Buyer: DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000780590

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## Summary

Dumfries and Galloway Council is overseeing the procurement process for the "Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services" contract in Dumfries, UKM92. The industry category is General public services, focusing specifically on early learning and childcare services. The process has reached the award stage, with the latest contract signed on 14 January 2025. The procurement method used was an open procedure, allowing for a wide range of bids to be considered. The framework, initially established in 2023, has been reopened in October 2024, with relevant lots awarded to providers such as Little Gems Childcare and Little Wren’s Montessori Childcare. This framework is now active, and awarded contracts are designated to last for an initial period of five years, with an optional extension of two years.

This tender offers expansive opportunities for businesses particularly in the childcare and early learning sector, including private and third sector settings, as well as childminders. Companies that meet the Council's standards and can deliver high-quality childcare in compliance with statutory requirements are well-suited to benefit from this contract. The flexible framework allows for continuous registration and service commencement, providing stability and growth potential for participating businesses. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to compete, as evidenced by successful awards to local providers. Through this procurement, businesses can enhance their service portfolio and secure long-term engagements with a regional authority.

## Notice

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 2023 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2023 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2023. This is the October 2024 re-opening of the framework that was awarded in January 2024. 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 2023 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2023 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2023.

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 2023 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2023 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2023.

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 2023 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2023 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2023.

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

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN522651 |
| 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 | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 28 Jan 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 14 Nov 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 14 Jan 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | This framework re-open annually and if you have already been awarded a place on the framework, you DO NOT need to re-apply. |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £48,686,143 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL |
| Locality | DUMFRIES |
| Post town | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Postcode | DG1 2HP |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM9 Southern Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM92 Dumfries and Galloway |
| Local authority | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Electoral ward | Nith |
| Westminster constituency | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Delivery location | TLM92 Dumfries and Galloway |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | LITTLE GEMS CHILDCARE; LITTLE WREN’S MONTESSORI CHILDCARE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services
- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 80100000 - Primary education services
- 80110000 - Pre-school education services
- 85312110 - Child daycare services

## Release History

- 28 Jan 2025 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN522651
- 12 Nov 2024 at 00:00 - TenderUpdate - OJEU - F14 - Corrigendum - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=NOV518115
- 15 Oct 2024 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT516215

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=OCT516215&idx=2
  31st October 2024 - For information
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=OCT516215&idx=4
  31st October 2024 - For information
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=OCT516215&idx=1
  15th October 2024 - Invitation to Tender
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=OCT516215&idx=3
  15th October 2024 - For completion and return
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT516215
  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 2023 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2023 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2023. This is the October 2024 re-opening of the framework that was awarded in January 2024. If you have already been awarded a place on this framework, you do not need to re-apply.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN522651
  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 2023 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2023 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2023. This is the October 2024 re-opening of the framework that was awarded in January 2024. If you have already been awarded a place on this framework, you do not need to re-apply.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.dumgal.gov.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000780590
- https://www.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-r6ebe6-0000780590. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000780590.json.