--- title: "Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000802999" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000802999" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000802999.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000802999.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL" published: "2026-01-09" --- # Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services Buyer: DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000802999 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000802999) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000802999.json) ## Summary Dumfries and Galloway Council has re-opened its tender for "Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services," part of a statutory requirement under the Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000. The tender, listed under the CPV code 85312110, is open for electronic submissions until 31 July 2025, with an anticipated award commencing immediately following this date. This procurement process, categorised under services, uses an open procedure method and focuses on the provision of early learning services in the locality of Dumfries, specifically in the UKM92 region. The framework is available for providers to apply for inclusion on a flexible framework, enabling them to register children for Brokerage and Early Learning placements from Q2 and August 2025, respectively. This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses within the education and childcare sectors, particularly those specialising in early learning, childcare, and related services. Businesses that align with the criteria and statutory requirements outlined by the Dumfries and Galloway Council can secure stable, state-supported contracts to expand their service offerings. The open procedure allows a broad spectrum of providers, including private and third-sector settings, to participate, enhancing competition and potential business growth. Given the flexible framework model, businesses have the potential to innovate and tailor their services to meet the specific needs of parents and carers, thus expanding their market presence and client base. ## 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 2025 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2025 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2025. This is the July 2025 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 2025 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2025 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2025. 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 2025 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2025 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2025. 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 2025 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2025 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2025. 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=JAN546890 | | 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 | 9 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | 31 Jul 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 19 Sep 2025 | | Contract period | 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. | ## 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 | FIRST STEPS NURSERY; MIDGET GEMS CHILMINDER | ## 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 - 9 Jan 2026 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN546890 - 1 Jul 2025 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL533616 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=JUL533616&idx=2 1st July 2025 - For information - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=JUL533616&idx=3 1st July 2025 - For completion and return - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=JUL533616&idx=1 1st July 2025 - Invitation to Tender - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL533616 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 2025 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2025 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2025. This is the July 2025 re-opening of the framework. 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=JAN546890 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 2025 to commence Brokerage placements from Q2 2025 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2025. This is the July 2025 re-opening of the framework. 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-r6ebe6-0000802999 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ - 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-r6ebe6-0000802999. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000802999.json.