Ends Mar 2027
Flying Start Childcare
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council · Wales · 5-year contract
Held by Camau Cyntaf i Ddysgu CBC, cylch meithrin bronllwyn, Cylch Meithrin Seren Fach
Early learning and childcare tenders and contracts
UK public sector, covering 600+ buyer sites
786 early learning and childcare tenders and contracts, 126 this year.
Updated 4 November 2026 · compiled by BidSkim Limited · How we count
- Awarded a month£1.4m
- Contracts a month1.5
- Won by SMEs76%
- Renewing in 6 months7
- Frameworks and DPSs24
- Live now4See them →
Early learning and childcare contracts
Tap a region to see its contracts. Pick as many as you like.
How many early learning and childcare contracts do keyword alerts miss?
In the last year, a "childcare" alert would have missed 9 of 28 early learning and childcare contracts (32%) and an expert list of 13 phrases 4 (14%). How we measured this
Keyword alert"childcare"
32% missed
9 of 28
Expert list13 phrases
14% missed
4 of 28
Expert list: childcare, early learning and childcare, nursery provision, funded early learning, early years provision, childcare places, early years nursery, creche provision, childcare provision, flying start, funded childcare, early education places, early years hub
BidSkim reads every notice in full and matches the work, not the words.See what BidSkim finds for you
37 contracts across the UK, of any size
Live now
4 early learning and childcare opportunities are open now
- Pre-market24 Aug 2026Basingstoke Early Years Specialist Hub ProvisionHampshire County Council · South EastEst.£1.3m
- OpenCloses Feb 2029Flying Start Childcare (STAGE 2)Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council · WalesEst.£300k
- OpenCloses Mar 2030Funded Early Learning and Childcare within Perth & KinrossPerth & Kinross Council · ScotlandEst.£42.6m
- Awarded18 Sep 2026Delivery of Childcare Provision at Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr TydfilNHS Wales Shared Services Partnership · WalesWon by Blossom Early Years£1.2m
- Awarded16 Sep 2026Basingstoke Early Years Specialist Hub Provision 2026-2027Hampshire County Council · South EastWon by KIDS£257k
- Awarded24 Jul 2026Provision of partner status to providers of Early Learning and Childcare - Dynamic Purchasing SystemClackmannanshire Council · ScotlandWon by Flexible Childcare Services Scotland and 18 more£24.5m
- Awarded17 Jul 2026Creche Provision -Kenton Learning CentreLondon Borough of Harrow · LondonWon by Little Hen - Natasha Gilbert
- Awarded7 Jul 2026Funded Early Learning and Childcare Places Framework Agreement - Reopening May 2026Scottish Borders Council · Scotland
- Awarded3 Jul 2026Provision of Childcare Services (Flying Start & Non-maintained Early Education)Wrexham County Borough Council · WalesWon by Caia Park Partnership Limited and 66 more£12m
- Awarded29 Jun 2026Childcare Support ServicesSouth West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust · Yorkshire and the HumberWon by Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust£72k
- Awarded25 Jun 2026Nursery Provision of Early Years & Childcare for RAF Marham and RAF CranwellMinistry of Defence · East of EnglandWon by RAFAKidz Limited
- Awarded29 Apr 2026Enhanced Early Years Nursery ProvisionWorcestershire County Council · West MidlandsWon by Diocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust and 2 more£2.5m
- Awarded21 Apr 2026Award of Contract for Early Learning and Childcare Places March 2026 - Erskine Community Nursery SCIO (St Anne’s)Renfrewshire Council · ScotlandWon by Erskine Community Nursery SCIO£111k
- Awarded1 Apr 2026Award of Contract for Early Learning and Childcare Places November 2025 - Ram 211 LimitedRenfrewshire Council · ScotlandWon by Ram Limited£632k
- Awarded1 Apr 2026Award of Contract for Early Learning and Childcare Places November 2025 - Mid Gavin Nursery LimitedRenfrewshire Council · ScotlandWon by Mid Gavin Nursery£553k
- Awarded1 Apr 2026Award of Contract for Early Learning and Childcare Places November 2025 - Enchanted Forest Nursery LimitedRenfrewshire Council · ScotlandWon by Enchanted Forest Nurseries£180k
- Awarded1 Apr 2026Award of Contract for Early Learning and Childcare Places November 2025 - Collin Care Limited (Rivendale Nursery)Renfrewshire Council · ScotlandWon by Collin Care Limited t/a Rivendale Nursery£307k
- Awarded1 Apr 2026Award of Contract for Early Learning and Childcare Places November 2025 - Gryffe Manor Nursery LtdRenfrewshire Council · ScotlandWon by Gryffe Manor Nursery Ltd£1m
- Awarded24 Mar 2026Award of Ceredigion - Pre-School Referral Scheme for Children with Additional Needs/DisabilitiesCeredigion County Council · WalesWon by Mudiad Meithrin Cyf£408k
- Awarded6 Mar 202621127-011 Cambridgeshire County Council Early Years Provision at Milton CE Primary SchoolCambridgeshire County Council · East of EnglandWon by The Cygnets Milton Pre-School£3.5m
- Awarded6 Mar 202621127-013 Cambridgeshire County Council Early Years Provision at Sawtry Infant's School (re-tender)Cambridgeshire County Council · East of EnglandWon by Buttons and Bows Pre-School£3.5m
- Awarded7 Feb 2026Payment of Nursery Fees for looked after child (AG)Leicestershire County Council · East MidlandsWon by Breedon House Nurseries Ltd T/A Children 1st Rosemary Lane£8k
- Awarded6 Feb 202621127-020 Cambridgeshire County Council Early Years and Wraparound Provision at Upwood Primary AcademyCambridgeshire County Council · East of EnglandWon by Upwood Small to Tall£3m
- Awarded19 Dec 2025Provision of RAF Nursery – RAF LeemingMinistry of Defence · South EastWon by RAFAKidz Limited
- Awarded15 Aug 2025Non-Statutory Specialist Pre-School Provision (NSP) for Children with Complex Needs and Severe Learning DifficultiesThe Education Authority · Northern IrelandWon by Royal Mencap Society and 4 more£1.7m
- Awarded14 Aug 2025Provision of Childcare at Kinloss Barracks Tender NoticeMinistry of Defence · South EastWon by RAFAKidz Limited£1.6m
- Awarded3 Jul 2025PURCH2488 Provision of Nursery ServicesUniversity of Glasgow · Scotland£4m
- Awarded18 Jun 2025DN771150-Childcare Provision-Stapleford Pavilion-BBCNottinghamshire County Council · East MidlandsWon by Ducklings Nursery Limited£140k
- Awarded16 Jun 2025CPU5378 - Early Years Provision - Concession ContractNottingham City Council · East MidlandsWon by The Greenfields Centre Limited and 1 more£6m
- Awarded31 Mar 2025Early Education for pre-school children with motor learning difficulties and delayed development S491284Norfolk County Council · East of EnglandWon by Little Discoverers West Norfolk School for Parents£41k
- Awarded3 Mar 2025Family Hubs Services Lot 1 Family Hubs Core & Family Support provision & Lot 2 Family Hubs Day Care provisionCalderdale Council · Yorkshire and the HumberWon by North Halifax Partnership
- Awarded21 Feb 2025Mini Minds ProgrammeLondon Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council · LondonWon by Havering Mind£45k
- Open to joinApply by 10 Mar 2027Scotland framework
Get new early learning and childcare tenders every morning →
Where to bid
Where early learning and childcare tenders are run
- eTenderWales8 62%
In-Tend2 15%- BravoSolution1 8%
Defence Sourcing Portal1 8%- SAP Ariba1 8%
Tenders published in the last year that name the bid portal they run on.
Frameworks and DPS
24 frameworks for early learning and childcare work are running. 1 is open to join now.
RAFAKidz Limited won the most early learning and childcare contracts
Buttons and Bows Pre-School won the most by value. Each dot is one contract, coloured by who bought it.
CouncilsCentral governmentEducationNHS and health
| Rank | Contractor | Contracts won, by buyer | Contracts | Value won | Buyers | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RAFAKidz Limited South East · SME · See every contract | 3 | £1.6m | 1 | ||
| 2 | Ram Limited Scotland · SME · See every contract | 2 | Not published | 1 | ||
| 3joint | Buttons and Bows Pre-School East of England · SME · See every contract | 1 | £3.5m | 1 | ||
| 3joint | The Cygnets Milton Pre-School East of England · SME · See every contract | 1 | £3.5m | 1 | ||
| 3joint | The Greenfields Centre Limited East Midlands · See every contract | 1 | £3.2m | 1 | ||
| 3joint | Upwood Small to Tall East of England · SME · See every contract | 1 | £3m | 1 | ||
| 3joint | Lily & Co Limited East Midlands · See every contract | 1 | £2.9m | 1 | ||
| 3joint | Blossom Early Years Wales · SME · See every contract | 1 | £1.2m | 1 | ||
| 3joint | Mudiad Meithrin Cyf Wales · SME · See every contract | 1 | £408k | 1 | ||
| 3joint | KIDS South East · See every contract | 1 | £257k | 1 |
110 more early learning and childcare contractors ranked. See the full ranking →
Win early learning and childcare contracts? Share your ranking.
Who buys
Councils award 76% of early learning and childcare contracts
Contracts with a published value in the last 2 years, from the type of buyer to the size of the contract.
4 buyers bought early learning and childcare more than once in the last 2 years
Each dot is a buyer, by how many early learning and childcare contracts it awarded in the last 2 years.
See who they are and when they usually buy →
Few and big, or many and small
Each dot is a buyer: how many early learning and childcare contracts it awarded against what they were worth. The busiest and biggest are named.
CouncilsCentral governmentEducationNHS and health
Top buyers by contracts awarded
| Rank | Buyer | Contracts | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renfrewshire Council | 10 | £5.3m |
| 2 | Cambridgeshire County Council | 3 | £10m |
| 3 | Ministry of Defence | 3 | £1.6m |
| 4 | Orkney Islands Council | 2 | Not published |
| 5 | Clackmannanshire Council | 1 | £24.5m |
| 6 | Wrexham County Borough Council | 1 | £12m |
| 7 | Nottingham City Council | 1 | £6m |
| 8 | University of Glasgow | 1 | £4m |
| 9 | Worcestershire County Council | 1 | £2.5m |
| 10 | The Education Authority | 1 | £1.7m |
159 early learning and childcare contracts awarded since 2021
- 172021
- 402022
- 302023
- 322024
- 142025
- 262026 so far
Prices
Half of early learning and childcare contracts are worth less than £688k
CouncilsCentral governmentEducationNHS and health
The 10 biggest early learning and childcare contracts
- Clackmannanshire CouncilFlexible Childcare Services Scotland, Glenview Cottage Nursery, Little Stars Alloa, Wee Bairns Childminding, Alva chilminding Service, Dunham Nurseries Ltd T/a Flying Start Nursery, Dollar Nursery School Ltd, Lisa Craig Childminder, Lynn Black, Pauline Carberry, Louise Nimmo Childminding, M.A.M.CHILDMINDERSERVICE, Christine Mckinsley Childminding Service, Coorie In Childminding, Nicola Hatcher Childcare Services, Christine Scobie, Jane's Childcare, Lisa's Childminding, ISHBEL · 24 Jul 2026
- Wrexham County Borough CouncilCaia Park Partnership Limited, Brymbo Heritage Trust, Victoria's Little Gems, Abbeyfield Day Nursery, ABC Daycare Nursery Limited, Acorns Playgroup - FATHER'S PLACE, ACTIVE CHILDCARE LIMITED - Little Oaks/Rossett House/Little Scholars, Auntie Alana's Childminding, Bangor on Dee Childcare, Barkers Lane Wrap Around Care Club, Borderbrook Playgroup, Borras Park Full Day Care Provision, Bradley Playgroup, Bronington Children's Club, Brynteg Tigers Out of Hours Club, Bwlchgwyn Cabin Crew, Caego Day Nursery, Cath's Cubs Registered Childminder, Cefn Mawr Playgroup, Cherry Hill Children's Day Nursery, Chirk Pre-School, Cylch Bodhyfryd, Cylch Meithrin A TI A FI Llan-y-PWLL, Cylch Meithrin I D Hooson, Cylch Meithrin Bro Alun, Cylch Meithrin Bryn Tabor, Cylch Meithrin Plas Coch, Cylch Meithrin Min Y Ddol (Mes Bach), Dee Valley Childcare, Emmas Child Minding, Gresford Governors' Clubs and Playgroup, Holt Under Fives, Kiddies World Playgroup, Little Angels Childminding (Laura Fitton), Little Chickens, Little Dragons' Den, Little Learners Wrexham Ltd, Little Sunflowers, Little Wrens, Manford's Little Lambs, Marford Playgroup Little Explorers Ltd, Maria Conceicao Bastos Da Costa, Flying Start- Mini Explorers Ruabon, Nestlings Forest School & Nursery, New Broughton Full Day Child Care, Overton Playcentre, Penycae Childcare, SHAP LTD - Peter Pan, Playland Nursery, Redbrook Day Nursery Limited, Rise and Shine Day Nursery Ltd, Saplings (Wrexham) Limited, St Mary's Pre School Playgroup, The Venture (Wrexham) Ltd, The Towers Day Nursery Limited, Toybox Nurseries Limited, Treasure Chest, Vicky's Childminding, Willow Bank Day Nursery, Ysgol Heulfan Playgroup Plus, LOT 3 LTD - Garden Village/Acton, All Stars After School and Holiday Club, Dragons Daycare, Happy Days Childcare, Homestead Nursery Limited, Rhosddu Nursery Plus, St. Giles School · 3 Jul 2026
- Nottingham City CouncilThe Greenfields Centre Limited, Lily & Co Limited · 16 Jun 2025
- University of GlasgowWinner not published · 3 Jul 2025
- Cambridgeshire County CouncilButtons and Bows Pre-School · 6 Mar 2026
- Cambridgeshire County CouncilThe Cygnets Milton Pre-School · 6 Mar 2026
- Cambridgeshire County CouncilUpwood Small to Tall · 6 Feb 2026
- Worcestershire County CouncilDiocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust, Dingley's Promise, Special Steps Limited · 29 Apr 2026
- The Education AuthorityRoyal Mencap Society, Kids Together Belfast, Solas, Sensations Nest LTD, SEN Space Care and Respite Services CIC · 15 Aug 2025
- Ministry of DefenceRAFAKidz Limited · 14 Aug 2025
Renewing contracts
14 early learning and childcare contracts come up for renewal in the next 12 months
7 in the next 6 months. The 3 ending soonest are shown in full.
Ends Mar 2027
RAF Brize Nursery Procurement
Ministry of Defence · South East · 5-year contract
Held by RAFAKidz Limited
Ends Mar 2027
UK SBS SSACS19035 Nursery Services at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Harwell Campus
UK Shared Business Services (UK SBS) · South East · 8-year contract
Held by Bright Horizons
Early learning and childcare contract for an NHS bodyYorkshire and the HumberUnder £100kEnds Mar 2027
Early learning and childcare contract for a central government bodyWest MidlandsValue not statedEnds Apr 2027
Early learning and childcare contract for a central government bodyNorth EastValue not statedEnds Apr 2027
Early learning and childcare contract for a central government bodySouth WestValue not statedEnds Apr 2027
Early learning and childcare contract for a councilSouth West£100k to £1mEnds May 2027
Early learning and childcare contract for a councilSouth WestValue not statedEnds May 2027
Where and when
Scotland awards the most early learning and childcare contracts
Contracts by region and by month awarded. Click a region to filter the page.
FewerMore contracts
The regions as a table
| Region | Open now | Contracts | Value | Typical contract | Won the most | Bought the most | Renewing in 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 1 | 17 | £33.8m | £592k | Ram Limited (2) | Renfrewshire Council (10) | 0 |
| East of England | 0 | 5 | £10m | £3.2m | – | Cambridgeshire County Council (3) | 0 |
| East Midlands | 0 | 3 | £6.2m | £140k | – | – | 0 |
| South East | 1 | 3 | £1.8m | – | RAFAKidz Limited (2) | Ministry of Defence (2) | 3 |
| Wales | 1 | 3 | £13.6m | £1.2m | – | – | 2 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 0 | 2 | £72k | – | – | – | 1 |
| London | 0 | 2 | £45k | – | – | – | 2 |
| West Midlands | 0 | 1 | £2.5m | – | – | – | 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 0 | 1 | £1.7m | – | – | – | 0 |
| North East | 0 | 0 | Not published | – | – | – | 1 |
| North West | 0 | 0 | Not published | – | – | – | 0 |
| South West | 0 | 0 | Not published | – | – | – | 4 |
Often bought with early learning and childcare
Key findings
- £1.4m a month
of early learning and childcare contracts awarded.
Typical contract £632k x 2.2 contracts a month, last 12 months. - 1.5
early learning and childcare contracts are awarded in a typical month.
37 contracts in the last 2 years. - 7
early learning and childcare contracts come up for renewal in the next 6 months.
Recurring contracts with a named supplier and a published end date before 4 May 2027. - 24
frameworks and DPSs are running for early learning and childcare work.
1 open to join now. - 76%
of early learning and childcare contracts are won by SMEs.
As recorded by the buyer, on 29 award notices.
How many early learning and childcare tenders and contracts are there?
| Since November 2021 | Last 12 months | |
|---|---|---|
| Notices published | 786 | 126 |
| Contracts awarded | 145 | 28 |
37 early learning and childcare contracts and frameworks end in the next 12 months, 36 of them recurring services. In the last two years, 23 buyers awarded early learning and childcare contracts to 120 suppliers.
Source: Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales and eTendersNI, to 4 November 2026. By Seamus White. How we count
Questions
How many early learning and childcare contracts does the UK public sector award?
37 in the 2 years to 4 November 2026, from 23 public buyers.
How long are early learning and childcare tenders open for?
The median early learning and childcare tender is open for 31 days from publication to deadline.
How much is a typical public sector early learning and childcare contract worth?
The median is £688k, and 25% are worth less than £250k.
Who wins the most public sector early learning and childcare contracts?
RAFAKidz Limited won the most (3). Buttons and Bows Pre-School won the most by value (£3.5m).
Which buyers award the most early learning and childcare contracts?
Councils award 76% of them.
Which part of the UK awards the most early learning and childcare contracts?
Scotland: 17 of 37 in the 2 years to 4 November 2026, then the East of England (5) and the East Midlands (3).
How many early learning and childcare contracts come up for renewal in the next 12 months?
14 contracts end and are likely to be re-let, the first on 21 March 2027. Another 1 ending is one-off work.
Are there frameworks or DPSs for early learning and childcare work that are open to join?
24 frameworks and DPSs for early learning and childcare work are running. 1 is open to join now.
What is included
Commissioned childcare and early education places for children below school age: funded early learning and childcare, Flying Start and workplace nursery places, day nursery concessions and creche provision.
- Funded early learning and childcare (ELC) places
- Flying Start childcare
- Pre-school education for 3 and 4 year olds
- Workplace nursery places
- Day nursery concessions
- Specialist early years childcare for disabled children
- Creche provision (not yet seen)
What is not included
- Wraparound, after-school and holiday childcare for school-age children (see Wraparound and holiday childcare)
- Holiday Activities and Food programmes and activity clubs (see HAF programme)
- Short breaks for disabled children (see SEND holiday clubs)
- Family hubs and children's centre services (see Family hubs and children's centre services)
- Early years advisory and practitioner training,
- School breakfast food provision (see School breakfast provision)