---
title: "Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants)"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000804062"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000804062"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000804062.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000804062.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL"
published: "2025-08-19"
---

# Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants)

Buyer: NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000804062

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## Summary

North Ayrshire Council is currently in the planning stage of the procurement process for their "Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants)." The framework, categorised under services, aims to provide early learning and childcare services and is open to new applicants throughout its duration. Interested providers must meet the National Standards and relevant legislative conditions as stipulated by the council. The procurement process, identified under CPV codes such as 85312110, will be carried out mainly in North Ayrshire, with the framework remaining active until 31st July 2025. Evaluations of submitted applications will occur within 4 to 6 weeks of receipt, allowing successful providers to start delivering services from their date of appointment.

This procurement presents a unique opportunity for businesses in early learning, childcare services, and childminding, especially those from private, voluntary, and third sectors, to expand their service offerings and clientele under the flexible framework. The absence of mandatory community benefits clauses and the lack of a guarantee of business mean that innovation and commitment to quality will play a significant role for firms looking to capitalize on these opportunities. Businesses with the capability and readiness to adhere to rigorous standards and respond efficiently to evaluations may find this a valuable entry point into or expansion within the public sector early learning and childcare market.

## Notice

North Ayrshire Council's Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement is now live, and in accordance with the terms of the framework new applicants are invited to join the framework throughout the contract duration. All providers who apply and meet the miniumum conditions of the Flexible Framework agreement (i.e. the National Standards & relevant legislation as noted in the attached documentation) and who accept the rates/framework terms and conditions shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework Agreement. Please review the attached documentation for further information. Completed applications should be sent to procurement@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. Applications received during the Flexible Framework period will be evaluated in a 4-6 week period from the application date. Providers successfully appointed to the framework will be eligible to deliver funded placements from their date of appointment (i.e. the date an award letter is issued) until the Framework expiry date (31st July 2025). Please note, the purpose of the Flexible Framework Agreement is to ensure that Providers meet the National Standards and requirements to be eligible to deliver funded placements. Providers should note that being appointed to the Flexible Framework Agreement does not provide any guarantee of business. The terms and conditions of the Flexible Framework Agreement will be the Early Learning and Childcare Model Terms and Conditions.

### Lot Information

Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings)

Lot 1 of this Flexible Framework Agreement sets out the minimum standards required from Early Learning and Childcare (Nursery) Services (including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector settings). To apply for this Lot Providers must: 1) Read and review all documentation attached to this notice; 2) Submit a completed Part A (Information and Requirements) Form; and 3) Provide all required evidence listed in Part B (Provider Evidence Requirements) for Lot 1 Where initial evidence submitted does not provide sufficient assurance, additional evidence may be sought by the Council. Potential additional evidence that may be sought is outlined in the attached documents.

Lot 2 - Childminding Services

Lot 2 of this Flexible Framework Agreement sets out the minimum standards required from Childminding Services. To apply for this Lot Providers must: 1) Read and review all documentation attached to this notice; 2) Submit a completed Part A (Information and Requirements) Form; and 3) Provide all required evidence listed in Part B (Provider Evidence Requirements) for Lot 2 Where initial evidence submitted does not provide sufficient assurance, additional evidence may be sought by the Council. Potential additional evidence that may be sought is outlined in the attached documents.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG537222 |
| Notice type | OJEU - F21 - Social And other Specific Services (Public Contracts) |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 19 Aug 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 3 Aug 2026 |
| 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 | Planned |
| Lots status | Planned |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL |
| Locality | IRVINE |
| Post town | Kilmarnock |
| Postcode | KA12 8EE |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM9 Southern Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM93 North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire |
| Local authority | North Ayrshire |
| Electoral ward | Irvine South |
| Westminster constituency | Central Ayrshire |
| Delivery location | TLM93 North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 80110000 - Pre-school education services
- 85312100 - Daycare services
- 85312110 - Child daycare services

## Release History

- 19 Aug 2025 at 00:00 - Planning - OJEU - F21 - Social And other Specific Services (Public Contracts) - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG537222

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=AUG537222&idx=1
  19th August 2025 - 1. General Information and Instructions
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=AUG537222&idx=2
  19th August 2025 - 2. ELC Model Terms and Conditions
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=AUG537222&idx=3
  19th August 2025 - 3. Part A - Information and Requirements Form
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=AUG537222&idx=4
  19th August 2025 - 4. Part B - Provider Evidence Requirements
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=AUG537222&idx=5
  19th August 2025 - NAC Annual Improvement Plan (Template)
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=AUG537222&idx=6
  19th August 2025 - NAC Business Continuity Plan (Template)
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG537222
  Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants) - North Ayrshire Council's Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement is now live, and in accordance with the terms of the framework new applicants are invited to join the framework throughout the contract duration. All providers who apply and meet the miniumum conditions of the Flexible Framework agreement (i.e. the National Standards & relevant legislation as noted in the attached documentation) and who accept the rates/framework terms and conditions shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework Agreement. Please review the attached documentation for further information. Completed applications should be sent to procurement@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. Applications received during the Flexible Framework period will be evaluated in a 4-6 week period from the application date. Providers successfully appointed to the framework will be eligible to deliver funded placements from their date of appointment (i.e. the date an award letter is issued) until the Framework expiry date (31st July 2025). Please note, the purpose of the Flexible Framework Agreement is to ensure that Providers meet the National Standards and requirements to be eligible to deliver funded placements. Providers should note that being appointed to the Flexible Framework Agreement does not provide any guarantee of business. The terms and conditions of the Flexible Framework Agreement will be the Early Learning and Childcare Model Terms and Conditions.

## Notice URLs

- http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=804062
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000804062
- 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-r6ebe6-0000804062. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000804062.json.