Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Flying Start Childcare placements

This DPS opportunity for an open procurement procedure and is being tendered in accordance with Section 9 (Light touch contracts) of the Act defines a ‘light touch contract’ and provides for regulations to specify which services (referred to in the regulations as ‘light touch services’) can be procured under a light touch contract. Under these regulations the Council is not required to procure these services in line with the full extent of the 2023 Regulations and is able to determine itself the arrangement structure and the procedures for awarding contracts, subject to ensuring compliance with the principles of transparency and equal treatment of Service Provider.

To best meet the needs of the services the Council shall regulation 69-71 for light touch frameworks. The procurement process, as stated within the tender documents follows a clear, structured and transparent process to ensure a fair and level playing field is maintained at all times and that all Service Providers are treated equally and fairly.

The Council reserves the right to terminate this procedure and cancel this DPS at any given time. Additionally, if you are successful in being selected onto this DPS, the Council reserves the right to terminate the selection, if at any time it is discovered that a Service Provider has made any material misrepresentation and/or have not notified the Council about any material changes in relation to the information provided as part of the pre-qualification process The Council reserves the right to remove such Organisation from this procurement process.

If an error or misrepresentation is not discovered until after the contract is awarded, the Council reserves the right to terminate the contract and recover all costs incurred as a result of the termination from the Organisation. The purpose of the Flying Start programme is to support families to give children the best start in life; offer improved child opportunities through high quality registered childcare and universal parenting support programmes, for example, Early Language Development; and improve engagement of families with Flying Start opportunities by offering local services based within Flying Start communities.

The Flying Start programme is Welsh Government funded. The Flying Start childcare provision will be provided for children who live in the Flying Start postcode catchment areas from the term after their second birthday until the term of their third birthday, to enable smooth transition into their rising 3 place in Early Years Education.

Welsh Government Flying Start Guidance states that Childcare is required to run 5 days for 2.5 hours a day for 39 weeks a year (term time) with some Council and setting discretion for flexibility where parents are attending training or working. Settings should be able to offer some flexibility for no more than 2 sessions per day, but this arrangement is exceptional and must be agreed by the Council in advance of the offer being made to the family. Any arrangements made without prior Council approval of placement, will be the responsibility of the setting to finance.