Reminder of updates to Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework

The deeply troubling headlines about nursery workers abusing children in their care have been upsetting for all, and of course, very worrying for those who offer, or are considering offering, EYFS services.

Clearly, these cases have been making their way through the legal system for some time, and it seems likely that they will have been in the contemplation of those responsible for drafting the changes to the EYFS framework which came into effect from 1 September 2025 and have a real focus on safeguarding.

It is a good time, therefore, to remind ourselves of the changes, and to ensure that they are not underestimated. The recent shocking news stories that have ended in very serious convictions show us how critical these provisions are. The new requirements focus on safeguarding in the following ways:

• Recruitment: safer recruitment practices are required, including minimum expectations for obtaining, and providing, references, plus requirements for safeguarding procedures to cover recruitment plans in order to ensure that only suitable candidates are recruited.
• Training and policies: requirements for safeguarding training to have been put in place, and policies will need to include details of how training will be delivered, and how practitioners will be supported to put their training into practice.
• Paediatric First Aid: early years students and trainees are now required to have PFA training.
• Children’s privacy: is to be considered and balanced against other safeguarding concerns during nappy changing and toileting.
• Whistleblowing: policies should be in place to deal with whistleblowing and should make clear that whistleblowers are supported and protected from retaliation.
• Absence: there are new requirements to follow up in instances of prolonged absence.
• Safer eating: new guidance, including nutritional guidance.

All things considered, this is a very key time for those providing EYFS services to look at their safeguarding policies to ensure that they are fit for purpose, and fully and properly protect those in their care, as well as to provide comfort to parents that this is a priority.