Official UK procurement notice
Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework
Authority: Bridgend County Borough Council (Local council)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe Authority, Bridgend County Borough Council, wishes to award this framework following a tender process to procure an open Framework to award childcare providers offering a childcare place to eligible children within Bridgend, funded through the Flying Start and Flying Start Expansion programmes that sit within the Children and Communities Grant.
The Authority is procuring an open framework. The maximum term of the Framework scheme will be 5 years. Successful suppliers from this procurement process will be awarded a place on the first framework (Initial Framework) for a period of 2 years in line with Grant funding.
On or before expiry of the Initial Framework, the Council will be entitled to re-open the framework and conduct a competitive process to award the second framework under this scheme (the “Second Framework”), admitting new suppliers and readmitting existing suppliers in accordance with the procurement documents. In line with the Procurement Act 2023, there is further flexibility to reopen the framework after the Second Framework, to reflect demand for Flying Start childcare provision at settings.
The framework has been split into two separate Lots to provide parents with more options to take up their offer of Flying Start childcare. Lot 1 - Childminders Lot 2 – Childcare Providers. These two Lots are a fixed list of providers who can be awarded contracts over a set period.
Contract term: Period of Two Years from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028
(with the option to extend up to a further 36 months up to 31st March 2031)
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 8 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT.
- No preliminary market engagement: Sufficient understanding of the market
CPV: Child daycare services · Pre-school education services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
- Call-offs
- call-offs are awarded directly to appointed suppliers, without further competition
- Places
- up to 1000 suppliers · 21 bids on the busiest of 2 lots (0.0 per place) · 29 appointed
- Framework period
- 2 yrs · up to 5 yrs from 1 Apr 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 31 Mar 2031
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- no fee
Published description of the framework
The Authority is procuring an Open Framework in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.
An Open Framework is a scheme of frameworks that provides for the award of successive frameworks on substantially the same terms (the Framework Scheme) .
The maximum term of the Framework Scheme will be [5] years.
Successful suppliers from this procurement process will be awarded a place on the first framework (Initial Framework) for a period of [2] years.
Re-opening: The Authority intends to re-open the Open Framework after the initial [2] year period. On award of the Second Framework, the Initial Framework will expire automatically (although any Orders placed under the Initial Framework will continue).
The Second Framework shall continue for a period of 12 months. After the Initial Term of the Second Framework, the Authority may extend the then-current framework by successive periods of up to 12 months each, and/or reopen the framework and award a further successive framework, provided that it shall re-open the Framework on at least one more occasion before expiry of the [5] year Framework Scheme.
This process will involve a new competitive tendering procedure conducted at the appropriate time to ensure continuity and market testing.
There is no limit to the number of Suppliers to be awarded a place on each Framework.
- Appointment of suppliers to each framework under open framework:
- For Existing suppliers, ie those having been appointed to the framework in existence immediately before the next framework in the scheme being awarded:
- The Authority may award the framework to an existing supplier by reference to the fact that the supplier has already been awarded a framework under the scheme and will therefore not have to submit a new tender. However, if a supplier wished to make changes to its earlier tender, this would require a new tender to be submitted and assessed; or
- The Authority may call for new tenders to be submitted and evaluated for the new Framework; or
- The Authority may award a place on the framework by reference to a tender relating to an earlier award of a framework under the Framework Scheme.
New Suppliers will have to submit a tender for any new Framework to be evaluated and awarded in accordance with instructions set out in the procurement documents at the time.
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · all with a published valueLot #1ChildminderAwardedRenewalPublished value£2,500,000
Description: Childminder
- Economic & financial standing
As per tender pack
- Technical & professional ability
As per tender pack. CIW Registered.
Lot #2Childcare SettingsAwardedRenewalPublished value£12,500,000
Description: Childcare settings
- Economic & financial standing
see tender pack
- Technical & professional ability
CIW Registered and training requirement see tender pack
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).
- “Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 1000 suppliers, not a single contract, and call-offs are awarded directly: getting appointed is the whole game.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Open framework scheme
- 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
- Yes · next expected 8 Jan 2026
- First published
- 9 Dec 2025, 12:27 GMT
- Last source update
- 7 Apr 2026, 15:40 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 27 Feb 2026
- Authority reference
B984/25- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-081031- Accelerated
- Light touch contract
- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f1b6Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
See Terms in tender pack
- Risks
See terms in tender pack
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 9 Jan 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 7 Jan 2026, 17:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- cy, en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- call-off levy · no fee
etenderwales.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.shtml ↗
itt_121843 - Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework
Timeline
9 Dec 2025 → 7 Apr 2026 · 7 dates- Tender notice published320 days ago9 Dec 2025, 12:27 GMT
- Clarification questions by291 days ago7 Jan 2026, 17:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends289 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown9 Jan 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by240 days ago27 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts208 days ago1 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent202 days ago7 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published201 days ago7 Apr 2026, 15:40 BST
Notice history
7 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 9 Dec 2025- Tender notice published9 Dec 2025, 12:27 GMTUK4
- Tender notice published18 Dec 2025, 13:27 GMTUK4
- Deadline moved to 9 Jan 2026, 12:00 GMT18 Dec 2025, 13:27 GMT+4 days · was 5 Jan 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Contract award notice published7 Apr 2026, 15:40 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete7 Apr 2026, 15:40 BST
- Contract signature expected7 Apr 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract signature expected8 Apr 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Published amendments (1)
Change to closing of tender date
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Childminder1 award | |||
| Cylch Meithrin Pencoed, Cylch Meithrin Plant Bach Sarn, Cylch Meithrin y Sger, Fast Track Childcare Solutions Ltd, North Cornelly Playgroup Association, Selca Day Nursery +15 moreLot 2 - (Childcare) Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework 8 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2031Extensions: with the option to extend up to a further 36 months up to 31st March 2031 | £11,244,010 | 7 Apr 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Childcare Settings1 award | |||
| Budding Stars Childminding Service, Genia's Home Based Childcare, Hannah's Little Lions, Jolly Jesters Childcare , Little Pandas childcare , Michelle Alexander Childminding +2 moreLot 1 - (Childminding) Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework 8 Apr 2026 – 30 Apr 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2031Extensions: with the option to extend up to a further 36 months up to 31st March 2031 | £577,200 | 7 Apr 2026 | Awarded |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Childminder | 21final-stage tenders | 21 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Childcare Settings | 8final-stage tenders | 8 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
29 commercial parties on the notice- Bridgend & District resource for children with disabilities - Trading as Y BontFramework contractor
- Bizzi Day NurseriesFramework contractor
- Bright Beginnings Nursery NottageFramework contractor
- Budding Stars Childminding ServiceFramework contractor
- Busy Bees Nursery BridgendFramework contractor
- Cylch Meithrin PencoedFramework contractor
- Cylch Meithrin Plant Bach SarnFramework contractor
- Cylch Meithrin y SgerFramework contractor
- Fast Track Childcare Solutions LtdFramework contractor
- Genia's Home Based ChildcareFramework contractor
Show 19 more suppliers
- Hannah's Little LionsFramework contractor
- Jolly Jesters Childcare Framework contractor
- Jungle Island co ltd t/a Chunky Monkeys Day NurseryFramework contractor
- Little Acorns Day Care Nursery LtdFramework contractor
- Little Pandas childcare Framework contractor
- Little Stars Maesteg LimitedFramework contractor
- Little footsteps Porthcawl ltdFramework contractor
- Michelle Alexander ChildmindingFramework contractor
- North Cornelly Playgroup AssociationFramework contractor
- Rhis Iggles PigglesFramework contractor
- Schoolhouse Day NurseryFramework contractor
- Selca Day Nursery Framework contractor
- Standing To Grow, Framework contractor
- Susan Robinson Childminding Framework contractor
- The Burrows Nursery PorthcawlFramework contractor
- The Childrens Day NurseryFramework contractor
- The Treehouse DaycareFramework contractor
- Village PlaygroupFramework contractor
- Windmills & Wellies Limited t/a Banana Moon Day NurseryFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (6)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Technical specifications itt_121843 - Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework
- Bidding documents and specifications Reference: itt_121843 - Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender