Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025
Renfrewshire Council · 5 February 2026
Back to Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board — 5 February 2026 and its agenda
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board On: 5 February 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: The Director of Finance and Resources and the Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Contract Authorisation Report for a Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025 (RC-CPU-25-008) ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek the approval of the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board to authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to award a place on the Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025 (RC-CPU-25-008) (“Flexible Framework”) to each of the Tenderers detailed within Appendix 1 of this report. 1.2 The recommendation to award this Flexible Framework follows a procurement exercise which was conducted as an Open Procedure for an above Threshold Social and Other Specific Services Framework Agreement in accordance with Section 7 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, as amended. and in accordance with the Renfrewshire Council Standing Orders relating to Contracts. 1.3 A Contract Strategy for this Flexible Framework was approved by the Interim Corporate Procurement Manager, Finance and Resources on 31 July 2025 and the Head of Education, Children’s Services on 7 August 2025. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board:
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PUBLIC 2.1 Authorises the Head of Corporate Governance to award a Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025, reference RC-CPU-25- 008 (Flexible Framework), to the 37 Tenderers listed in Appendix 1 of this report; 2.2 Authorises the maximum approved value of up to £125m for the Period of Contract of the Flexible Framework, including use of any extension periods, for all Commissioned Places made under this Flexible Framework; 2.3 Authorises the Flexible Framework for an initial period of 4 years with the option to extend, at the discretion of the Council, for a further period of 12 months on 3 separate occasions. The anticipated Commencement Date of the Flexible Framework is 7 April 2026; the actual Commencement Date will be confirmed in the Council’s Letter of Acceptance to Tenderers in Appendix 1 of this report; 2.4 Notes that each Provider’s Appointment Date to the Flexible Framework may be after the Commencement Date; and 2.5 Notes that where the Council reopens the Flexible Framework, a recommendation will be presented to the Finance Resources and Customer Services Policy Board for approval of any New Entrants to the Flexible Framework. _________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 Renfrewshire Council has a statutory duty to provide Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) places to eligible children. Children’s Services manages the provision of Scottish Government Funding in respect of eligible pre-school children who attend nurseries or childminders (Settings) within the Renfrewshire Council area. The Council commissions ELC places in private and voluntary sector nurseries and with childminders through a Flexible Framework. This allows the Council flexibility to offer parents a choice of provider for their child/children funded ELC entitlement. The current Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places (RC-CPU-20-113) will expire on 23 May 2026. 3.2 The procurement process for the new Flexible Framework was conducted using the Open Procedure in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 for a Social and Other Specific Services and in accordance with the Renfrewshire Council Standing Orders Relating to Contracts. 3.3 The Contract Notice was published on the Find a Tender Service via the Public Contracts Scotland website on 28 August 2025.
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PUBLIC The Invitation to Tender was also published and available on this date from Public Contracts Scotland – Tender. The Tender Deadline was 12 noon on 9 October 2025. 3.4 The Flexible Framework contained two Lots: Lot 1 – Registered Child Day Care Providers – ‘Day care of children’ and Lot 2 – Registered Childminders – ‘Childminding’. During the tender live period, 33 economic operators viewed the tender opportunity for Lot 1 and 17 viewed the tender opportunity for Lot 2 prior to the Tender Submission Deadline: • Lot 1 - 28 tender responses submitted, 5 declined to respond; • Lot 2 - 11 tender responses submitted, 6 declined to respond. Those who did not respond either could not meet the scope within the Service Specification or did not meet the minimum tender requirements. 3.5 The 39 Tender Submissions received were evaluated against a pre- determined set of criteria in the form of the Single Procurement Document (SPD) (Scotland), by: representatives from the Corporate Procurement Unit (CPU), representatives from Children’s Services, Health and Safety, Finance, Risk and Security and Compliance teams, against pre-determined bidder selection criteria which assessed competence, expertise and financial stability. Two Tenderers who submitted under Lot 1 did not pass the selection criteria of the SPD (Scotland) and were not evaluated further. 3.6 All 37 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Flexible Framework (Appendix 1) confirmed compliance with the minimum selection criteria set within the SPD (Scotland). 3.7 As the funding rate for each Fully Loaded Place is set by the Council, in line with Regulation 67(5) of The Public Contracts (Scotland) 2015, the Tender did not include a price criterion. Each of the 37 Tender Submissions were evaluated against the published award criteria of 100% Quality by representatives from both the CPU and Children’s Services. The Invitation to Tender stated the standard Price per hour for each Fully Loaded Place for children aged 3-5 and eligible 2 year olds and the maximum Price for an approved meal. All 37 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Flexible Framework (Appendix 1) confirmed acceptance of the stated Prices in the Invitation to Tender. 3.8 Tenderers were required to complete Renfrewshire Council’s Cyber Security Questionnaire, and this was evaluated by the Council’s Cyber Security team. As part of the Flexible Framework management requirements all 37 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Flexible Framework (Appendix 1) are required to undergo an annual review to ensure ongoing compliance and/or improvement of their current Cyber Security status.
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PUBLIC 3.9 As part of the Invitation to Tender, Tenderers on Lot 1 were required to confirm their commitment to delivering Community Benefits throughout the Flexible Framework. Community Benefits will be linked to cumulative annual spend of Commissioned Places made with each Tenderer awarded and accepting a place on Lot 1 of the Flexible Framework. 3.10 The Flexible Framework is not ranked and Commissioned Places will be awarded based on Parent/Carer choice for eligible children. 3.11 The Flexible Framework has the benefit that it can be reopened to allow new providers to join at a later date as a New Entrant. The timescales for reopening will be determined by the Council. Any New Entrant will be required to satisfy the same minimum criteria as those Providers awarded a place from this initial procurement and Flexible Framework award. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - The maximum approved value of £125m, excluding VAT, for the initial four year period plus further extension of 3 x 12 months will be met from the Early Learning and Childcare Budget. The anticipated Commencement Date for the Flexible Framework is 7 April 2026. As this is a Flexible Framework, there is no guarantee of Commissioned Places or business for any awarded Provider through the Flexible Framework. 2. HR & Organisational Development - None directly arising from this report. 3. Community/Council Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is well - o Promoting wellbeing and good mental health, particularly in our young people; o Developing strong community-based services that respond to local need. • Our Renfrewshire is fair – o Ensuring our children get the best possible start in life; o Addressing the poverty related attainment gap, and young people can achieve success after school; o Ensuring all eligible receive their entitlement of 1140 hours of early learning and childcare. • Our Renfrewshire is safe – o Protecting vulnerable adults and children, ensuring they can live safely and independently.
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PUBLIC • Fair - nurturing bright, happy and healthy futures for all o Reducing child poverty in Renfrewshire and improving outcomes for children and families currently living in poverty; o Protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities, including children and young people who are at risk; o Supporting and nurturing children and families, with particular focus on early intervention and mental health and wellbeing, to ensure positive outcomes for children and young people; o Placing the rights and needs of every child and young person at the centre of our decision making and service delivery; o Promoting a shared vision and refreshed understanding of inclusion for our children and young people; and o Raising educational attainment while ensuring equity for all our children and young people. 4. Legal - This procurement was carried out in accordance with the procedures for an above Threshold Flexible Framework as permitted under Section 7 of the Social and Other Specific Services of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, as amended, and the Renfrewshire Council Standing Orders Relating to Contracts. 5. Property/Assets - None directly arising from this report. 6. Information Technology - The Council’s Security and Compliance team evaluated the cyber security evidence submitted by each of the 37 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Flexible Framework (Appendix 1). ICT will support the review of cyber security evidence on an annual basis, as well as any Tenderers applying as a New Entrant at a future date. 7. Equality & Human Rights - The recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored. 8. Health & Safety - The Corporate Health and Safety team evaluated the Health and Safety evidence submitted by each of the 37 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Flexible Framework (Appendix 1), and these met the Council’s minimum requirements.
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PUBLIC 9. Procurement – The procurement procedures outlined within this report shall ensure that the Council meets its statutory requirements in respect of procurement procedures, efficiency and modern Government. 10. Risk - The Council’s Risk team evaluated the insurance evidence submitted by each of the 37 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Flexible Framework (Appendix 1), and these met the Council’s minimum requirements. 11. Privacy Impact - The Council’s Information Governance Team and Children’s Services conducted a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) as part of the procurement exercise. Each of the 37 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Flexible Framework (Appendix 1) will be Data Controllers and will be required to comply with the Conditions of Contract including Data Protection Conditions. 12. Climate Risk - The level of impact associated with the services was assessed using the Scottish Government Sustainability Test and is considered to be low impact. 13. Children’s Rights - This report demonstrates compliance with Articles 1 – 42 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. 14. Cosla Policy Position – None directly arising from this report. _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers - None ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Sarah Ford, Senior Procurement Specialist, Corporate Procurement Unit, sarah.ford@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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PUBLIC Appendix 1 Recommended Tenderers for Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places August 2025 (RC-CPU-25-008): Lot 1 - Registered Child Day-Care Providers Tenderer Setting Company Registration Number or Scottish Charity Number Care Inspectorate Registered Provider Number Care Inspectorate Service Number 3 Bears Nursery Limited 3 Bears Nursery - Renfrew SC250276 SP2006008256 CS2006118768 Abbeymill Childcare Limited Abbeymill Childcare Ltd SC259017 SP2004004085 CS2003054842 Bright Starts Nursery (Inchinnan) Ltd Bright Starts Nursery SC302775 SP2010010850 CS2010239163 Cairellot Nursery Limited Cairellot Nursery Ltd SC285240 SP2003001014 CS2006118166 Carli's Kindergarten Ltd Carli's Kindergarten Ltd (Linwood) SC290076 SP2007009038 CS2021383142 Carli's Kindergarten Ltd Carli's Kindergarten Ltd (Erskine) SC290076 SP2007009038 CS2008180365 Childcare First Limited Rainbow Nursery - Paisley SC279472 SP2003001011 CS2003004867 Children's Hour Limited Abbey Nursery Houston SC310714 SP2009010598 CS2009232874 Erskine Community Nursery SCIO Erskine Community Nursery - Bargarran SC007210 SP2014012369 CS2014332202 Erskine Community Nursery SCIO Erskine Community Nursery - St Anne's SC007210 SP2014012369 CS2014332198
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PUBLIC Tenderer Setting Company Registration Number or Scottish Charity Number Care Inspectorate Registered Provider Number Care Inspectorate Service Number Genesis (J & T) Limited Nursery Times SC277422 SP2010011218 CS2010274766 Gleniffer Nursery Limited Gleniffer Nursery SC235192 SP2003001056 CS2003005000 Heather Murphy t/a Carriagehill Nursery Carriagehill Nursery sole trader SP2003001028 CS2003004889 Inchinnan Community Nursery Committee Inchinnan Community Nursery SC016068 SP2003001002 CS2003004816 Kibbleworks Puddle Lane SC269349 SP2021000100 CS2021000070 Kilbarchan Community Nursery (SCIO) Kilbarchan Community Nursery SC009757 SP2015012492 CS2015337344 Kilpatrick Leisure Limited Little Panda's Nursery SC468740 SP2020013569 CS2020380809 Leaps And Bounds (Scotland) Limited Leaps and Bounds Nursery SC259446 SP2004936578 CS2003053457 Little Flowers Limited Little Flowers Nursery SC288529 SP2005007505 CS2005099039 Little Stars (Stirling) Limited Little Stars Hillington SC396870 SP2011011652 CS2013319493 Maxwellton Park Nursery & OSC Maxwellton Park Nursery & OSC N/a SP2003001012 CS2003004849 Orchard Grove Nurseries Limited Orchard Grove Nursery SC262043 SP2005007817 CS2005107800 Roin Limited Jennyswell Nursery SC160359 SP2003000993 CS2003004793
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PUBLIC Tenderer Setting Company Registration Number or Scottish Charity Number Care Inspectorate Registered Provider Number Care Inspectorate Service Number Lorna Bradley and Michael Brown, a partnership trading as "Stepping Stones" Stepping Stones Partnership SP2003003346 CS2003034567 The Committee of Linwood Community Care Linwood Community Childcare SC008450 SP2003001053 CS2003004944 Thrive Childcare and Education Limited Happitots Nursery - Glasgow Airport SC192599 SP2003002955 CS2003004824 Lot 2 – Registered Childminders Tenderer Setting Care Inspectorate Registered Provider Number Care Inspectorate Service Number Carole McLachlan Carole's Kiddies SP2015987482 CS2015342008 Catherine Whyte Whyte, Catherine SP2009972690 CS2009193073 Catherine Young Young, Catherine SP2016987741 CS2016344535 Claire Crawford Cee Cee's Childcare SP2007966568 CS2007159999 Elaine Parkhill Elaine Parkhill Childminding SP2021000178 CS2021000281 Karen Chalmers Chalmers, Karen SP2010978829 CS2010254746 Karen Finnie Finnie, Karen SP2006008559 CS2006134188
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PUBLIC Tenderer Setting Care Inspectorate Registered Provider Number Care Inspectorate Service Number Kelly Rix Rix, Kelly SP2011981416 CS2011280846 Kerry Goudie Goudie, Kerry SP2008970719 CS2008180744 Malgorzata Kowalik trading as Little Rabbit Little Rabbit SP2010981039 CS2010279617 Sharon Wallace Sharon's Tiny Tots Childminding SP2023000052 CS2023000070