Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services

Description

Early Learning & Childcare and Childcare Brokerage services are two key strands of statutory childcare services offered to parents and carers of children in Dumfries and Galloway. Lot 1: Early Learning and Childcare - PVI Setting The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 1140 hours for eligible children and places a duty on the Council to offer increased flexibility to parents as to where and how their child can access their Early Learning and Childcare entitlement. Scottish Government made a commitment to extend the entitlement to all eligible children to 1140 hours for Early Learning and Childcare by 2020/21 as set out in 'A Blueprint for 2020; Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland' (2016). The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands allowing them to access their child's funded entitlement, therefore the Council have set up a Flexibile Framework for the provision of early learning and childcare services under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Lot 1 of this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required from the private, voluntary and independent setting. All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the flexible Framework. Lot 2: Early Learning and Childcare - Childminders The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 600 hours, including the provision for eligible children and places a duty on the Council to offer increased flexibility to parents as to where and how their child can access their Early Learning and Childcare entitlement. Scottish Government has made a commitment to extend the entitlement to all eligible children to 1140 hours for Early Learning and Childcare by 2020/21 as set out in 'A Blueprint for 2020; Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland' (2016). The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands allowing them to access their child's funded entitlement, therefore the Council have set up a Flexibile Framework for the provision of early learning and childcare services under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Lot 2 of this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required from the childminders setting. All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be able to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework. Lot 3: Childcare Brokerage Service Dumfries and Galloway Council Social Work Services provides support to enable vulnerable families to access affordable childcare in times of crisis or to be included in the child's plan to ensure that their needs are being met. The service is aimed at supporting children aged 2 and under or for young people up to 18 years old if they have Additional Support Needs and/or Disability. The Childcare Brokerage model enables parents' and carers' to access childcare from any setting, commissioned by the Council - in the public, private or third sector, including from a childminder - who meets the applicable National Standards, has a place available and is willing to enter into a contract with the local authority. The National Standard, which underpins the approach, will provide parents and carers with the certainty that those settings delivering funded hours are offering high quality Brokerage provision. Quality is underpinned by the National Standard for Early Learning and Childcare Providers. This service is being procured as a lot within a Flexible Framework under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Lot 3 of this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required to deliver the childcare brokerage service. All providers who apply and meet the applicable national ELC standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be able to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework.