Early Years and Childcare , proposed provider framework, expressions of interest.

Cambridgeshire County Council 0-19 Places Planning and the Early Years and Childcare Service, Education Directorate is seeking the sector's view on developing a list of good or better providers who can be directly approach, possible at short notice, to deliver childcare where there is a requirement.

The Council's Statutory Duties

The Childcare Act places specific sufficiency duties upon Local Authorities (LAs), including to secure:

sufficient and suitable childcare places to enable parents to work, or to undertake education or training which could lead to employment

sufficient and suitable free early years provision for all 2, 3 and 4-year olds who wish to access their free entitlement of 15 hours per week 38 weeks per year (570 hours per year)

sufficient and suitable free early years provision for all eligible 3 and 4-year olds who wish to access their extended entitlement of an additional 15 hours per week 38 weeks per year (570 hours per year)

In order to ensure that we can meet the above requirements it is proposed that tender process will be undertaken which will identify suitable childcare providers to join the framework that can run for a maximum of 4 years. There would be both a Selection Questionnaire (compliance-type questions) and an award questionnaire (quality, price) and a set evaluation criteria (e.g. must reach a certain quality score, or combination of quality and price).

Once established and a need identified an expression of interest would be sent to all providers on framework and a mini-competition would be run for each opportunity. The framework may be opened to new providers periodically.

Any providers that express an interest in joining the framework will be invited to a short information session, where they will have opportunity ask any questions.

Please complete this form to Question 3 even if you are not interested in joining the framework.