Changes to the New Early Years Foundation Stage Framework

Strengthened Safeguarding Requirements

Following the 2024 Early Years Safeguarding Consultation, several updates have been introduced to enhance child safety across early years settings. Key changes include:

• Safer Recruitment Practices

  • New expectations and requirements for obtaining and providing references

  • Safeguarding policies must now include procedures to ensure only suitable individuals are recruited

• Monitoring Child Absence

  • Providers must follow up on prolonged absences

  • Additional emergency contact information must be held for each child

• Safer Eating Requirements

  • New measures introduced to ensure safe eating practices within settings

• Safeguarding Training

  • A new annex outlining safeguarding training criteria

  • Safeguarding policies must now include details on training delivery and how practitioners are supported to implement it in practice

• Paediatric First Aid (PFA) for Students and Trainees

  • It is now mandatory to have a qualified paediatric first-aider who has successfully completed the full two-day course in any setting at all times, which means schools will need at least two stafe trained in case of illness/absence/breaks etc. Online training is not acceptable.

• Whistleblowing Support

  • New requirements introduced to promote and support effective whistleblowing procedures

• Child Privacy and Safeguarding Balance

  • Amendments to ensure children’s privacy during nappy changing and toileting is respected, while maintaining safeguarding standards

• Minor Structural and Wording Updates

  • Additional changes made to improve clarity and coherence of the safeguarding requirements

New Nutrition Guidance

Developed in collaboration with nutrition and early years experts, the new nutrition guidance must be considered by all providers. While not mandatory, it should be followed unless there is a clear and justified reason not to.

Experience-Based Route (EBR)

Staff who have successfully completed the Experience-Based Route (EBR) and meet all other criteria may now be included in Level 3 staff-to-child ratios.

Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA)

Annex B of the framework for group and school-based providers has been updated to reflect new digital elements being introduced for the 2025/26 academic year.

Early Years Qualifications Requirements and Standards

This document will be updated from 1 September 2025 with minor clarifications to improve understanding and implementation.

The Updated Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework can be read HERE