Official UK procurement notice
Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants)
Authority: North Ayrshire Council (Local council)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionNorth 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 [email protected]. 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.
CPV: Child daycare services · Daycare services · Pre-school education services
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · no lot values publishedLot #1Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings)Planned
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:
- Read and review all documentation attached to this notice;
- Submit a completed Part A (Information and Requirements) Form; and
- 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 #2Childminding ServicesPlanned
Lot 2 of this Flexible Framework Agreement sets out the minimum standards required from Childminding Services.
To apply for this Lot Providers must:
- Read and review all documentation attached to this notice;
- Submit a completed Part A (Information and Requirements) Form; and
- 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.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
- “Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement (New Entrants)” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract.
Pipeline intelligence · planning stage: how this market runs before the tender is published
How North Ayrshire Council buys Social work services (CPV 8531), and who usually turns up
North Ayrshire Council’s published record next to the market for the same work. Compared with other frameworks and DPS only. Whole-market view: Social work services (CPV 8531) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Local means the winner is registered in the region where that award was delivered. The market figure counts awards delivered in Scotland.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners were registered in the region where that award was delivered.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the bid deadline to the award date, on competitions that published both.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards have an award date within 71 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Missing bid counts may hide more single-bid awards. This share is a minimum.
How many bids did past lots attract?
i
How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid3% / 16%
2–317% / 22%
4–630% / 18%
7+50% / 44%
How did awards compare with estimates?
i
Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
On a framework or DPS, prices are agreed when work is called off.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Not comparable on a framework or DPS: the price is set later, on each call-off.
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Our matching links this notice to “NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providers” of this authority, but none of the 5 panel members sit in a category matching this notice.
Lot #1Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings)CPV 8531Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 45 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid16%
2–322%
4–618%
7+44%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
| Supplier | This buyer’s earlier contract | Lot | Award value | Why listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childcare Scotland Properties LimitedEarlier contract | NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providersnotice published Jul 2025 | Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings) | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Bradshaw Early Years CentreEarlier contract | NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providersnotice published Jul 2025 | Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings) | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Bright Beginnings Early Years CentreEarlier contract | NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providersnotice published Jul 2025 | Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings) | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Busy Bees NurseryEarlier contract | NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providersnotice published Jul 2025 | Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings) | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| COLLIN CARE TREETOPSEarlier contract | NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providersnotice published Jul 2025 | Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings) | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
Lot #2Childminding ServicesCPV 8531Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 45 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid16%
2–322%
4–618%
7+44%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
| Supplier | This buyer’s earlier contract | Lot | Award value | Why listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childcare Scotland Properties LimitedEarlier contract | NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providersnotice published Jul 2025 | Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings) | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Bradshaw Early Years CentreEarlier contract | NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providersnotice published Jul 2025 | Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings) | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Bright Beginnings Early Years CentreEarlier contract | NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providersnotice published Jul 2025 | Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings) | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Busy Bees NurseryEarlier contract | NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providersnotice published Jul 2025 | Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings) | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| COLLIN CARE TREETOPSEarlier contract | NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providersnotice published Jul 2025 | Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings) | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Planned procurement
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 19 Aug 2025, 09:26 BST
- Last source update
- 19 Aug 2025, 09:26 BST
- Authority reference
NAC/5198- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-049693- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-058a40Find a Tender
Publisher note: The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason: The framework has been divided into lots to support SMEs to gain access to opportunities through the flexible framework. The nature of the services delivered are unlikely to be delivered through sub-contractors and therefore a sub-contract clause is not suitable for this type of services framework. The Contracting Authority does not intend to include any community benefit requirements in this contract for the following reason: The Flexible Framework does not provide a guarantee of work, therefore community benefits are not being made mandatory within the tender. (SC Ref:792536) A Contract Award Notice will be published on an annual basis confirming the names of providers awarded to the framework in that year. NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=804062. (SC Ref:804062)
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- —
Timeline
19 Aug 2025 → 3 Aug 2026 · 2 dates- Notice published19 Aug 2025, 09:26 BST
- Tender notice expected84 days ago3 Aug 2026, 00:00 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Pipeline notice- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.