Early Learning and Childcare – South Lanarkshire Council Procured Service Arrangement

South Lanarkshire Council is inviting Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) providers to apply to join its long-term Procured Service Arrangement (PSA) for the delivery of funded childcare placements across the Council area.

The arrangement has an estimated value of £143.5 million excluding VAT and is designed to give parents and guardians choice over the provider delivering their child’s funded ELC placement.

Providers can join the PSA where they successfully demonstrate compliance with the National Standard, relevant legislation, applicable guidance and the Council’s procedural requirements. Providers must also accept the rates established by the Council for the delivery of funded hours.

The PSA operates under the Light Touch Rules contained within Regulations 74–76 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and allows new providers to be added during its term.

Phase 16 of the PSA is currently open for applications.

Service Requirements

The PSA covers funded Early Learning and Childcare placements within the geographical boundary of South Lanarkshire Council.

Providers will need to meet a range of qualification, safeguarding, workforce and health and safety requirements.

For settings other than childminders, support workers, practitioners and lead practitioners or managers included within adult-to-child ratios must either hold the benchmark qualification appropriate to their role or, where applicable, be working towards it within the permitted registration period.

Childminders delivering funded entitlement must similarly hold, or where applicable be working towards, the benchmark qualification for ELC practitioners.

Providers must also be able to evidence appropriate food safety and hygiene certification and compliance with Protection of Vulnerable Groups requirements.

Contract Information

Buyer: South Lanarkshire Council

Deadline: 10 March 2027, 12:00pm

Contract Value: £143,500,000 excluding VAT

Delivery Length: 1 March 2020 to 31 July 2030 (125 months)

Tender Link: Public Contracts Scotland – Tender portal — Project code: 22253

The PSA is recurrent, with providers able to apply to join during its term. The Council states that evaluations will take place from 1 March and 1 September each year.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated against:

• National Standards Criteria – 95%
• Price – 5%

A range of exclusion and selection requirements will also be assessed on a pass/fail basis.

Provider Requirements

Bidders must meet specified legal, financial, technical and professional requirements.

Insurance requirements include:

• Employer’s Liability – £10 million
• Public Liability – £5 million

Providers must also demonstrate appropriate health and safety arrangements, including procedures covering accident reporting and risk assessment.

Three sample risk assessments are required covering:

• Child excursions
• Provision of care
• Child supervision and safety

Further evidence may be requested by the Council, including relevant declarations, insurance certificates, Food Safety and Hygiene certification, SSSC registration numbers and qualifications, and Protection of Vulnerable Groups documentation.

Failure to provide requested evidence, or where the evidence does not substantiate information provided within the tender response, may invalidate the bid.

The PSA provides a long-term route for eligible Early Learning and Childcare providers to deliver funded placements across South Lanarkshire. While appointment does not guarantee work, the arrangement enables parents and guardians to select participating providers for funded ELC provision.

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