Cambridgeshire County Council has launched a Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System (PDPS) for providers of early years education and childcare.
The PDPS will be used to advertise all upcoming early years and childcare opportunities which will operate from council-owned premises and some schools, including new schools. Providers who are interested in upcoming opportunities or who wish to extend their lease in future will need to apply to join it. Opportunities will only be available to those who have successfully joined. Those who have not joined will be unable to bid.
How to join
Providers will be invited to join the PDPS on an annual basis. To join, you will be asked to complete an online application form which will be assessed by a panel of officers with a breadth of expertise in place planning and sufficiency, early years, and procurement. Applicants must score at least 40% overall and score a minimum of four (satisfactory) on four key questions. These are:
- Outcomes
- Vulnerable children
- Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities (SEND)
- Safeguarding
Those who have previously been successful in joining the PDPS do not need to re-apply.
If you were unsuccessful in your previous application, we would welcome another application. There is no limit to the number of times you can re-apply.
How do I apply?
Applications must be submitted through the Council’s procurement portal ProContract, available at the following webpage: Cambridgeshire County Council Early Years Pseudo DPS (ProContract portal)
You will need to set up an account with ProContract to be able to access the application form.
Applications to join the PDPS can be submitted between Monday 9 February – Friday 13 March 2026. The application window will not then reopen until spring term 2027.
We will be holding a series of virtual events talking you through using the online portal and providing useful tips for completing the application. If you are thinking about applying, we would strongly encourage you to attend one of the virtual events:
Wednesday 11 February,10.30-11.30am click here to join the meeting
Thursday 12 February, 6.30-7.30pm click here to join the meeting
Monday 23 February, 6.30-7.30pm click here to join the meeting
Tuesday 24 February, 10.30-11.30am click here to join the meeting
There is no need to book a place, just follow the Microsoft Teams link. The content of all sessions will be the same.
Upcoming opportunities
A list of upcoming opportunities will be released soon. This will include full day care, sessional provision, and breakfast and after school clubs too.
Further details about each opportunity, including the number of childcare places to be offered, will be available within the specification which will be sent to those who have successfully joined the PDPS.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
Should you have any further questions, please email
placeplanningreferrals0-19@cambridgeshire.gov.uk , with ‘PDPS’ in the subject line.
