Published date: 27 July 2023

Open early engagement - This means that a procurement idea is currently active, it is in the early stage of development and judging interest from potential suppliers.


Closing date: 2 August 2023

Contract summary

Industry

  • Education and training services - 80000000

Location of contract

Any region

Procurement reference

tender_357946/1241373

Published date

27 July 2023

Closing date

2 August 2023

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The purpose of this early engagement notice is to notify the market of a forthcoming market engagement event relating to the Department"s wraparound school age childcare programme and the delivery of expanded early years entitlements announced at the 2023 Spring Budget. It is not a call for competition.

This PIN is intended to inform the market of an opportunity to help shape the future delivery ahead of a possible procurement.

Providers will need to register their interest via the DfE eTendering portal (Jaggaer). Providers can access this system at: https://education.app.jaggaer.com for details of how to register and the terms of free registration.

The Department is currently investigating options to procure additional delivery support to local authorities and potentially schools, early years settings and private providers for the establishment and expansion of wraparound and delivery of the expanded childcare entitlements.

We are interested in hearing from suppliers with the skills and expertise to work proactively and reactively with LAs to support the delivery of this childcare agenda, which support both early years and school age children.

In pursuance of this, the Department is seeking information from suppliers in order to help inform the options available to the Department in regard to how the programme are delivered.

We will be undertaking an online event on 27 July 2023. This event is anticipated to last approximately 1 hour from 4 to 5pm. The market engagement event is an opportunity to shape the core responsibilities and delivery offer of the Department"s future programme ahead of possible future procurement.

During the engagement session we will be asking questions which we list in Jaggaer. We would also like a follow up response after the session to help inform our approach to any potential procurement.

Purpose

From September 2025, all eligible working parents of children aged nine months and over will be entitled to 30 hours free childcare per week up until their child starts school. In addition, the government also announced that there will be