Scope
Reference
B984/25
Description
Bridgend County Borough Council is seeking to procure experienced providers to deliver childcare places under the Flying Start and Flying Start Expansion programmes.
This service is only applicable for children that are resident in Bridgend County Borough, from the term after they turn two to the term they turn three years old.
Children will be offered up to 12.5 hours a week for Flying Start funding, term time only.
The key objectives of the service are:
• To provide accessible, high-quality, developmentally appropriate childcare that supports children's learning, well-being and progress from an early age.
• To ensure childcare is delivered by a skilled, well-qualified workforce with access to continuing professional learning and best practice support.
• To promote high standards of care, learning and safeguarding through robust quality assurance and improvement support.
• To deliver inclusive, equitable provision that meets the needs of all children, including those with additional learning needs or vulnerabilities.
• To ensure childcare provision is well-matched to local need and sustainably commissioned, supporting continuity, sufficiency and parental choice.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £15,000,000 excluding VAT
- £18,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85312110 - Child daycare services
- 80110000 - Pre-school education services
Contract locations
- UKL17 - Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Lot 1 - Childminders
Lot 2 -Childcare Settings
Dependent on which lot the bidder requires to apply for
Not the same for all lots
Contract dates are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.
Lot 1. Childminder
Description
Description: Childminder
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,500,000 excluding VAT
- £3,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 28 March 2031
- 4 years, 11 months, 28 days
Description of possible extension:
option to extend subject to funding
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Childcare Settings
Description
Description: Childcare settings
Lot value (estimated)
- £12,500,000 excluding VAT
- £15,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 29 March 2031
- 4 years, 11 months, 29 days
Description of possible extension:
option to extend subject to grant funding
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
31 March 2031
Maximum number of suppliers
1000
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Further information about fees
no fee
Framework operation description
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.
Award method when using the framework
Without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. Childminder
As per tender pack
Lot 2. Childcare Settings
see tender pack
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Childminder
As per tender pack. CIW Registered.
Lot 2. Childcare Settings
CIW Registered and training requirement see tender pack
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Childminder
Lot 2. Childcare Settings
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
31 December 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
5 January 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
https://etenderwales.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.shtml
itt_121843 - Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
- Welsh
- English
Award decision date (estimated)
27 February 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 8 January 2026
Award criteria
Lot 1. Childminder
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Method Statement Evaluation 100% |
Quality |
Weighting description
100& Quality Evaluation
Lot 2. Childcare Settings
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Method Statement Questions Evaluation 100% |
Quality |
Weighting description
Quaiity Evaluation Method Satement Questions
Other information
Payment terms
See Terms in tender pack
Description of risks to contract performance
See terms in tender pack
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Reduced tendering period
Yes
Light touch contract - no minimum
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
Sufficient understanding of the market
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://etenderwales.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.shtml
Reference: itt_121843 - Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework
Technical specifications to be met
https://etenderwales.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.shtml
itt_121843 - Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework
Contracting authority
Bridgend County Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPQG-8216-YQLW
Bridgend County Borough Council
Bridgend
CF31 4WB
United Kingdom
Contact name: Helen Watkins
Telephone: +44 1656643643
Email: helen.watkins@bridgend.gov.uk
Website: https://www.bridgend.gov.uk
Region: UKL17 - Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Wales