Published date: 20 March 2023

Last edited date: 22 May 2023

This notice was replaced on 20 March 2023

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 26 October 2023, last edited 20 December 2023)

Closed early engagement


Contract summary

Industry

  • Administration services - 75100000

Location of contract

SW1P 3BT

Procurement reference

tender_338629/1192999

Published date

20 March 2023

Closing date

28 March 2023

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The purpose of this Early Engagement Notice (EEN) is to notify the market of a potential procurement activity relating to the Department for Education's childminder grant scheme, announced by the Chancellor as part of the Spring Budget package of childcare measures.

Childminders are a vital way to deliver affordable and flexible care and government recognises that we need more of them. To help people to become childminders, government is introducing a start-up grant scheme, providing £1200 to those who choose to register with a childminding agency and £600 to those that register with Ofsted.

This notice seeks interest from organisations that could provide a grant delivery service to new childminders.

The scheme will be worth £7.22m over the next two financial years. Some of the details of the scheme are yet to be determined.

The Department is currently exploring the potential of commissioning the provision of grant administrative services. Our requirements would include (but not limited to):
- Development and implementation of secure user interface to allow for grant applications, including manual option if required by applications
- Development of guidance for those looking to make an application
- Grant administration including verifying eligibility, minimising fraud risk and processing timely payments to individuals
- Customer support including quality guidance and contact facilities
- Regular reporting to DfE against the contract and progress with delivery. Provision of required management information.

We are interested in understanding potential supplier views on how to provide these services.

More information

Previous notice about this procurement

Child Minder start-up grant scheme

  • Early engagement
  • Published 20 March 2023, last edited 12 April 2023

Attachments

Links

Additional text

We are looking to hold a Market Engagement event on Tuesday 28th March, comprising an initial presentation and Q&A at 10:00, followed by the offer of 15-minute one-to-one discussions available on a first-come first-serve basis. If you are interested in attending this session, please register on the DfE's e-procurement portal, Jaggaer and register your interest in the Early Supplier Engagement event (ESEE) with reference "ssq_329: Child Minder Grant Administration Scheme", ensuring you answer all questions.

This Early Engagement Notice (EEN) is for information only, and the department reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not award contract(s). The information contained in this notice, including information relating to the nature and scope of the authority requirements, the service classification of this requirement of the list of CPV codes, is only indicative of the authority's current thinking and is neither exhaustive nor binding. The authority reserves the right at its absolute discretion to amend it at the time of issue of any further notices or at any other time.

About the buyer

Address

Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
England

Email

craig.heatley@education.gov.uk