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Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System (PDPS)

Cambridgeshire County Council has launched a Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System (PDPS) for providers of early years education and childcare (EYEC).

The PDPS will be used to advertise all upcoming opportunities for providing EYEC from council-owned premises, 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.

It is important to note that childcare providers who are not on the PDPS will not be able to apply for any of these opportunities, even if they are the incumbent provider and are already offering EYEC services from the location in question.

Applications to join the PDPS can be submitted between 24th March and midday on 5th May 2025. After this date, applications to join the PDPS will not be accepted again until 2026.

The application form can be found here:

Cambridgeshire County Council Early Years Pseudo DPS (ProContract portal)

How to join

Providers will be able to join the PDPS on an annual basis. To join, you will need to complete an online application form including several in depth questions, 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 key questions 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 to application form.

We will be holding some 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 following:

Please note: The content of the events will be the same.

There is no need to book a place, just follow the Microsoft Teams link.

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.