--- title: "2026 - Flexible Early Learning and Childcare Service - Funded Providers" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000835391" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000835391" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000835391.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000835391.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "HIGHLAND COUNCIL" published: "2026-06-24" --- # 2026 - Flexible Early Learning and Childcare Service - Funded Providers Buyer: HIGHLAND COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000835391 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000835391) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000835391.json) ## Summary Highland Council is embarking on a public procurement process for the provision of a Flexible Early Learning and Childcare Service for funded providers, as mandated by the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. This procurement falls under the "services" category and is currently at the planning stage. The council is based in Inverness, with its main offices situated on Glenurquhart Road, UKM6. The planned procurement is aimed at establishing a flexible framework starting from August 2026, with the option to extend by one year. Providers who meet the necessary standards and requirements can apply from 24th June 2026, with an initial 5-week application review period followed by ongoing evaluations. The procurement method adheres to the Light Touch Rules of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, providing significant opportunities to eligible applicants. This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for organisations in the early learning and childcare sector to gain a stable contract with a reputable authority. The flexible framework is designed to include various external providers to complement the council’s internal services, thus offering diverse business advantages. Businesses specialising in early years education, particularly those familiar with the Scottish Government's regulations and standards, can greatly benefit from participating. Due to the flexible framework model, businesses have the chance to apply every four months, offering numerous entry points to potential partnerships with Highland Council, ultimately supporting business growth and sustainable engagement in the public sector. ## Notice Highland Council is required by Scottish Government, under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, to provide a funded placement of 1140 hours per year to all eligible 2 year olds and all children aged from 3 to those not yet attending Primary School, effective from August 2021. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Highland Council is required by Scottish Government, under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, to provide a funded placement of 1140 hours per year to all eligible 2 year olds and all children aged from 3 to those not yet attending Primary School, this framework will be effective from August 2026. In accordance with The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, Regulation 74, the Council intends to establish a Flexible Framework to secure external providers who can supplement the Council's internal early learning and childcare provision. The proposed Framework will be for 3 years, with an option to extend for one additional year. There will also be options for Tenderers to apply to the Framework every 4 months. *Please note, you will not come into partnership with the Council until the term after your acceptance. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands allowing them to access their child's funded entitlement with a range of ELC providers, therefore the Council are seeking to set up a Flexible Framework for the provision of early learning and childcare services under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework. APPLICATION PROCESS The application process opens on 24th June 2026 and the initial review of applications will take 5 weeks with applications being reviewed thereafter on an ongoing basis. All applications are to be sent to the elcteam@highland.gov.uk email address. Ideally, applications should be completed electronically, rather than scanned and sent. This will ensure that the process is kept as efficient as possible. The application form and further relevant information can be downloaded once you have registered your interest in this notice. If you require further assistance, please contact: Caroline Green, caroline.green@highland.gov.uk Liz Scott, liz.scott2@highland.gov.uk Tracy McIlvar, tracy.mcilvar@highland.gov.uk ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland | | Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN558625 | | Notice type | PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | 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 | 24 Jun 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 26 Jun 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 | HIGHLAND COUNCIL | | Locality | INVERNESS | | Post town | Inverness | | Postcode | IV3 5NX | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM2 Highlands and Islands | | ITL 3 | TLM20 Highlands and Islands | | Local authority | Highland | | Electoral ward | Inverness West | | Westminster constituency | Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire | | Delivery location | TLM6 Highlands and Islands | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85000000 - Health and social work services ## Release History - 24 Jun 2026 at 00:00 - Planning - PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN558625 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=JUN558625&idx=1 24th June 2026 - Application Form - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=JUN558625&idx=2 24th June 2026 - Early Learning & Childcare Agreement - Terms and Conditions - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN558625 2026 - Flexible Early Learning and Childcare Service - Funded Providers - Highland Council is required by Scottish Government, under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, to provide a funded placement of 1140 hours per year to all eligible 2 year olds and all children aged from 3 to those not yet attending Primary School, effective from August 2021. ## Notice URLs - http:// - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000835391 - https://www.highland.gov.uk - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=835391 ## 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-r6ebe6-0000835391. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000835391.json.