Official UK procurement notice
Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025
Authority: Renfrewshire Council (Local council)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionRenfrewshire 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.
CPV: Child daycare services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Bids received
- 28 bids on the busiest of 2 lots · 35 suppliers appointed
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · no lot values publishedLot #1Registered 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. Additional information: 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.
Lot #2Registered 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. Additional information: 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.
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).
Tender responses for both Lot 1 and Lot 2 will be evaluated in line with the Award Criteria detailed in the Invitation to Tender.
The Quality/Price split for both Lot 1 and Lot 2 is Quality = 100% and Price = Pass/Fail.
- Technical & professional ability
Tenderers must be registered with the Care Inspectorate (CI):
Lot 1–Registered Child Day Care Providers – ‘Day care of children’
Lot 2–Registered Childminders – ‘Childminding’
Tenderers must hold and maintain evaluations of Good or Better on all quality indicators assessed as part of inspection reports with the CI for the Period of Contract. Where a Provider does not currently hold evaluations of Good or Better for all Care Inspectorate quality indicators assessed on the date/time of the Tender Deadline, they may apply to participate in the Flexible Framework at a future opening as a New Entrant, when the minimum criteria for participation has been met. Tenderers should note that the Council reserves the right to consider any changes in Care Inspectorate evaluations up to the point of a preferred Tenderer(s) being appointed on the Flexible Framework. Newly registered Setting, Day Care Service or Child Minder, which have not received a full inspection by the CI may be required to submit additional evidence as part of their Tender Submission and may also be subject to a Tender Assessment Visit should they wish to be considered for a place on the Flexible Framework. Subject to the evaluation of their Tender Submission they shall be entered into a Probationary Period pending the outcome of their first inspection and provided the Council has sufficient evidence to assess that they have the potential to meet all other criteria in the National Standard for Early Learning and Childca…
- Staff
- Names and qualifications of delivery staff must be submitted
- Shortlisting
- Tenderers must be registered with the Care Inspectorate (CI): Lot 1 – Registered Child Day Care Providers – ‘Day care of children’ Lot 2 – Registered Childminders – ‘Childminding’ For Care Inspectorate Registered Service Provider already subject to a full inspection from the Care Inspectorate, to hold and maintain evaluations of Good or Better evaluation on all quality indicators assessed as part of inspection reports for the Period of Contract. Where a Tenderer does not currently hold evaluations of Good or Better for all Care Inspectorate quality indicators assessed on the date/time of the Tender Deadline, they may reapply to participate in the Flexible Framework at a future reopening as a New Entrant, when the minimum criteria for participation has been met. Refer to III.2.1 for information relating to Newly Registered Settings. Refer to VI.3) for further minimum requirements.
- “Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- 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
- 6 Jun 2025, 12:37 BST
- Last source update
- 11 Jun 2026, 13:38 BST
- Authority reference
RC-CPU-25-008- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-055220- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-054460Find a Tender
- Electronic trading
- e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
- Performance terms
Providers must meet and uphold all the required criteria listed for the Period of Contract and Commissioned Places called off from the Flexible Framework.
- Review procedure
An economic operator that suffers, or risks suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts(Scotland) Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/446) (as amended) may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or Court of Session.
Publisher note: Minimum Requirements The minimum insurance that all Tenderers will be required to evidence are detailed below. Lot 1: -Employers Liability - 5,000,000 GBP (statutory) each and every claim -Public Liability - with appropriate extension for administering medication 10,000,000 GBP (any one occurrence) -Professional Indemnity - 1,000,000 GBP (will accept cover in the aggregate) -Motor Vehicle - Statutory Third-Party Motor Vehicle Insurance Lot 2: -Employers Liability - 5,000,000 GBP (statutory) each and every claim -Public Liability - with appropriate extension for administering medication 5,000,000 GBP (any one occurrence) -Professional Indemnity – 100,000 GBP (will accept cover in the aggregate) -Motor Vehicle - Statutory Third-Party Motor Vehicle Insurance Lot 1: Each Tenderer will be expected to have a Dun and Bradstreet Failure Score of 20 or above. In the event that a Tenderer is unable to meet this requirement, they will be required to submit their most recent set of audited financial statements, along with those from the preceding financial year. Lot 2: Requirement to submit 3 years of tax returns. Lot 1 and Lot 2: Tenderers will be required to evidence that they have the appropriate experience of previous delivery of Services including confirmation of Care Inspectorate service numbers. Where the Tenderer is a Newly Registered Setting, Day Care Service or Childminder, they may confirm this within the Technical Experience response on the PCS-T System. For Lot 1, Staff delivering the Service must be SSSC registered and be appropriately skilled and qualified. For Lot 2, Staff delivering the Service must be appropriately skilled and qualified within the timescales set by the National Standard. Lot 1 and Lot 2: All Staff must be PVG checked. Tenderers must have a Health and Safety Policy which includes risk assessments. (SC Ref:829083)
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 9 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
4 Aug 2025 → 11 Jun 2026 · 3 dates- Next notice expected4 Aug 2025, 00:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends381 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown9 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST
- Notice published136 days ago11 Jun 2026, 13:38 BST
Notice history
5 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 28 Aug 2025- Published value published: £125,000,00028 Aug 2025, 12:29 BST
- Status changed to active28 Aug 2025, 12:29 BST
- Procurement method changed28 Aug 2025, 12:29 BST
- Deadline published: 9 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST28 Aug 2025, 12:29 BST
- Status changed to complete11 Jun 2026, 13:38 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast2 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.
Contracts
All 2 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £125,000,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.
Registered Child Day Care Providers
- Signed
- 31 Mar 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Status
- active
Registered Childminder
- Signed
- 31 Mar 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Registered Child Day Care Providers | 28bids · 28 electronic · 28 from abroad | 27 | — | — |
| 2 · Registered Childminder | 11bids · 11 electronic · 11 from abroad | 11 | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Court of SessionReview body
Framework contractors & participating bidders
35 commercial parties on the notice- 3 Bears Nursery LimitedFramework contractor
- Abbeymill Childcare LimitedFramework contractor
- Bright Starts Nursery (Inchinnan) LtdFramework contractor
- Cairellot Nursery LimitedFramework contractor
- Carli's Kindergarten Ltd (Erskine)Framework contractor
- Carli's Kindergarten Ltd (Linwood)Framework contractor
- Carole McLachlanFramework contractor
- Catherine WhyteFramework contractor
- Catherine YoungFramework contractor
- Childcare First LimitedFramework contractor
Show 25 more suppliers
- Children's Hour LimitedFramework contractor
- Claire CrawfordFramework contractor
- Elaine ParkhillFramework contractor
- Erskine Community Nursery SCIO (Bargarran)Framework contractor
- Genesis (J & T) LimitedFramework contractor
- Heather Murphy t/a Carriagehill NurseryFramework contractor
- Inchinnan Community NurseryFramework contractor
- Karen ChalmersFramework contractor
- Karen FinnieFramework contractor
- Kelly RixFramework contractor
- Kerry GoudieFramework contractor
- KibbleworksFramework contractor
- Kilbarchan Community Nursery (SCIO)Framework contractor
- Kilpatrick Leisure LimitedFramework contractor
- Leaps And Bounds (Scotland) LimitedFramework contractor
- Little Flowers LimitedFramework contractor
- Little Stars (Stirling) LimitedFramework contractor
- Lorna Bradley and Michael Brown, a partnership trading as "Stepping Stones"Framework contractor
- Malgorzata Kowalik trading as Little RabbitFramework contractor
- Maxwellton Park Nursery & OSCFramework contractor
- Orchard Grove Nurseries LimitedFramework contractor
- Roin LimitedFramework contractor
- Sharon WallaceFramework contractor
- The Committee of Linwood Community CareFramework contractor
- Thrive Childcare and Education LimitedFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.