Planning

Provision of Multiple RAF Nurseries – RAF Cranwell and RAF Leeming - PPN

  • Ministry of Defence

UK3: Planned procurement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-055937

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0598db

Published 11 September 2025, 4:16pm



Scope

Reference

715630452

Description

The Royal Air Force is looking for a passionate and experienced provider to deliver high-quality, flexible, and affordable childcare at two key RAF stations: RAF Cranwell and RAF Leeming.

Total value (estimated)

  • £0 excluding VAT
  • £0 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
  • Possible extension to 31 March 2032
  • 6 years

Description of possible extension:

3 years contract + 3 years optional extension

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 80110000 - Pre-school education services

Not the same for all lots

Contract locations are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.


Lot 1. Provision of Multiple RAF Nurseries - RAF Cranwell

Description

Exciting Opportunity: Deliver Childcare Services for RAF Families

The Royal Air Force is looking for a passionate and experienced provider to deliver high-quality, flexible, and affordable childcare at two key RAF stations: RAF Cranwell and RAF Leeming.

This is your chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of service children and their families-providing nurturing early years education (0-5 years) and dynamic wraparound and holiday care (4-11 years).

Are you committed to helping children thrive? Ready to grow your portfolio and work in partnership with the military community?

We're seeking a provider who shares our values and can deliver services that meet EYFS and Ofsted standards-ensuring every child receives the best possible start.

The below provides a brief illustration of the current provision and operational delivery of the nursery and childcare sites. Please note this is an illustration and detail can be subject to change. There will be scope to work with each station to adapt the operational delivery and outputs of the setting to meet the needs of service families and the station's statement of requirements.

RAF Cranwell

The nursery operates out of a purpose-built nursery that is located inside of the wire at RAF Cranwell, Sleaford NG34 8HB. The nursery is currently open Mon - Fri from 07.30 - 18.00 for 51 days of the year providing up to 76 places for children aged 0-5 years, including an offer of full, half day and sessional options to meet the needs of service families living and working at RAF Cranwell. There are currently 92 children under 5 on roll at the nursery. Wraparound childcare and holiday provision for up to 40 places is also offered to children aged 4 - 11 years at other sites within close proximity to the nursery. There are 35 staff employed to work with the children. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged 9months+.

TUPE consideration will apply to this contract.

Tender dates and timelines are subject to change. Please express and interest or follow the PPN to find out when the Invitation to Tender opens.

Please note that, once the contract is awarded, there will be a lease or licence agreement in place with Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).

Lot value (estimated)

  • £0 excluding VAT
  • £0 including VAT

Contract locations

  • UKF3 - Lincolnshire

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 2. Provision of Multiple RAF Nurseries - RAF Leeming

Description

Exciting Opportunity: Deliver Childcare Services for RAF Families

The Royal Air Force is looking for a passionate and experienced provider to deliver high-quality, flexible, and affordable childcare at two key RAF stations: RAF Cranwell and RAF Leeming.

This is your chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of service children and their families-providing nurturing early years education (0-5 years) and dynamic wraparound and holiday care (4-11 years).

Are you committed to helping children thrive? Ready to grow your portfolio and work in partnership with the military community?

We're seeking a provider who shares our values and can deliver services that meet EYFS and Ofsted standards-ensuring every child receives the best possible start.

The below provides a brief illustration of the current provision and operational delivery of the nursery and childcare sites. Please note this is an illustration and detail can be subject to change. There will be scope to work with each station to adapt the operational delivery and outputs of the setting to meet the needs of service families and the station's statement of requirements.

RAF Leeming

The nursery operates out of a purpose-built building inside the wire at RAF Leeming, Northallerton, North Yorkshire DL7 9NJ. The nursery is open Mon - Fri from 07.30 to 17.30, 51 weeks of the year providing up to 121 places for children aged 0-11 years, including an offer of full, half day, wraparound childcare and sessional options to meet the needs of service families living and working at RAF Leeming. There are currently 166 children on roll. There are 21 staff employed to work with the children. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged 9months+.

TUPE consideration will apply to this contract.

Tender dates and timelines are subject to change. Please express and interest or follow the PPN to find out when the Invitation to Tender opens.

Please note that, once the contract is awarded, there will be a lease or licence agreement in place with Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).

Lot value (estimated)

  • £0 excluding VAT
  • £0 including VAT

Contract locations

  • UKE2 - North Yorkshire

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Participation

Particular suitability

Lot 1. Provision of Multiple RAF Nurseries - RAF Cranwell

Lot 2. Provision of Multiple RAF Nurseries - RAF Leeming

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)


Submission

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

13 October 2025

Enquiry deadline

31 October 2025, 12:00pm

Tender submission deadline

10 November 2025, 12:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Award decision date (estimated)

1 December 2025


Other information

Applicable trade agreements

  • Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure

Special regime

Concession


Contracting authority

Ministry of Defence

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHVX-4316-ZVGZ

Nimrod building site 3

High Wycombe

HP144UE

United Kingdom

Region: UKJ13 - Buckinghamshire CC

Organisation type: Public authority - central government