Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework (Nurseries) Reopening February 2026
Framework Description
East Dunbartonshire Council's Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework recruits nursery providers to deliver flexible early learning and childcare for children in the council area. It is a single-lot framework, not a DPS, that the council reopens to admit new providers, with the latest reopening advertised from February 2026 on Find a Tender. It supports the council's aim of accessible, affordable childcare for working families.
Context & Use Case
East Dunbartonshire Council uses the framework to secure enough nursery places for families across its communities, including funded early learning and childcare places alongside privately funded provision. Admitting providers through periodic reopenings lets the council add capacity where demand grows and bring in new nurseries without re-tendering the whole arrangement.
Scope of Services
Early learning and childcare for children aged 2 to 5 Funded early learning and childcare places Privately funded nursery places Part-time and full-time nursery provision
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Suits private, voluntary and community nurseries registered with the Care Inspectorate, with SSSC-registered staff and experience of the early years curriculum. New providers join when the council reopens the framework, so nurseries should prepare their application for the next round.
Buyer Benefits
The council gets flexible childcare capacity from a mix of private, community and charitable providers, helping parents work and study. Reopening the framework lets it add new nurseries and raise quality over time rather than relying on a fixed group of providers.
Next Steps
Find a Tender notice 012921-2026 moved the closing date for the February 2026 reopening to 18 March 2026, so that round has closed. Register with Public Contracts Scotland, where the council has a buyer profile, so you see the next reopening. Prepare Care Inspectorate grades, SSSC registrations, safeguarding and child protection policies, and evidence of delivering funded places.
How Athena Can Help
Nursery applications to council frameworks are scored on quality, safeguarding and capacity, and Athena can prepare yours before the next reopening. Our help writing bids turns your Care Inspectorate evidence and practice into strong quality answers.
Our council framework applications service gathers the policies, registrations and certificates the council asks for and checks the submission for compliance, and our bid planning support helps you plan the bid early so a short reopening window does not catch you out.
