Evidence-Based Early Years Maths Programme - Market Engagement Event

Procurement description

Early maths skills are one of the strongest predictors of children’s future academic attainment and success on entering the workforce. However, maths is one of the areas of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) profile where we see the lowest percentage of children achieving the expected level of development.

High-quality early years education, including strong numeracy provision, supports children’s maths development and can help close emerging outcomes gaps. However, many early years educators lack training and confidence in teaching maths.

We are looking for a provider to deliver an evidence-based early maths programme from April 2026 onwards which will:

(i)Build the knowledge and confidence of early years educators (staff in Private, Voluntary or Independent (PVI), maintained and school-based nursery settings, childminders) to support children's early mathematical development

(ii) Improve the quality, quantity and consistency of early maths provision in early years

(iii) Improve the early maths outcomes of children (aged anywhere between 0-4 years old) in settings

(iv)Reach a minimum of 5,000 early years settings.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UK - United Kingdom

Contract dates (estimated)

01 April 2026, 00:00AM to 31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Department for Education

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

CPV classifications

• 80000000 - Education and training services

Delivery regions

• UK - United Kingdom

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 April 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Engagement process description

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to notify the market of a potential opportunity to bid for the delivery of an evidence-based early maths programme from April 2026 onwards.

Interested parties are invited to a market engagement event on Thursday 10 July from 14:00 to 15:00 to hear further details and share any views or questions relating to this potential opportunity.

For information: Attendance at the market engagement events is not a pre-requisite for being able to submit a tender against this opportunity. If you are unable to attend the market engagement event, the slides and any Q&A outcomes will be made available.

This notice is a zero value PIN notice for early market engagement. It is for information only and is not a call for competition.

The Department reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not proceed with contract award. Accordingly, the Department will not be liable for any bid cost, expenditure, work or effort incurred by any organisation in acting on the basis of this Prior Information Notice.

To attend the event you will need to register on the following portal: https://education.app.jaggaer.com

Please also email katherine.sargent@education.gov.uk as well as maisie.monroe@education.gov.uk to register your interest.

Due date

10 July 2025, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

04 August 2025