---
title: "Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000805931"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000805931"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000805931.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000805931.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
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-r6ebe6-0000805931

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## Summary

Renfrewshire Council has completed the procurement stage of a multi-Provider Flexible Framework Agreement for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Places, which commenced on 7th April 2026 and is set to expire on 6th April 2030, with potential extensions up to 2033. This tender, identified by the title "Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025," falls under the services category and utilises an open procurement method. Located in the Renfrewshire region, UKM83, the framework grants parents flexibility in choosing providers, be they established council nurseries or independent third-party providers. This open procedure allows for ongoing applications from new entrants, with no guaranteed spend attached to the awarded positions.

This procurement presents significant growth opportunities, particularly for small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the childcare sector, seeking to enter or expand their reach in the Renfrewshire area. Businesses with experience in delivering services evaluated by the Care Inspectorate are well-positioned to benefit, with rigorous quality criteria ensuring high service standards. The split between quality assessments (100% Quality and Pass/Fail Price for both Lots) ensures emphasis on skilled and qualified service provision, making it an attractive proposition for businesses focusing on quality service delivery in the early learning sector. The region's emphasis on community benefits further incentivises participants, fostering both business growth and regional development.

## 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.. 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.. 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 | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN557809 |
| Notice type | OJEU - F21 - Social And other Specific Services (Public Contracts) |
| 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 | 11 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 9 Oct 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 31 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 | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| 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 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F21 - Social And other Specific Services (Public Contracts) - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN557809
- 28 Aug 2025 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F21 - Social And other Specific Services (Public Contracts) - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG537937

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG537937
  Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025 - 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. It is anticipated that the Flexible Framework will be 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. It is anticipated that the Flexible Framework will start 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. In the event that the Flexible Framework does not start on 7th April 2026, the Flexible Framework will start on the Commencement Date as stated in the Letter of Acceptance. 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.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN557809
  Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025 - 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.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000805931
- 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-r6ebe6-0000805931. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000805931.json.