New Early Years Foundation Stage Framework – September 2025 Update

The Department for Education's (DfE) latest version of the Early years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework for England has now come into force (effective from 1st September 2025). The EYFS framework:

• Sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure children learn and develop well.

• Ensures children are kept healthy and safe.

• Ensures children have the knowledge and skills they need to start school.

In a nutshell...

• Stronger safeguarding and safer recruitment

• New Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) role

• Mandatory safeguarding training every 2 years

• Clear whistleblowing procedures

• Stricter absence follow-up and emergency contact requirements

• Tougher allergy, choking & safe eating rules

• Dignified approach to personal care and privacy

• Paediatric First Aid now required for volunteers and apprentices in ratios

• Key changes aim to strengthen safeguarding, enhance child safety, and clarify best practice.

Key updates

• Safer Recruitment: References must be obtained before hiring. Safeguarding policies must outline steps to ensure only suitable people are recruited.

• DSL Role Strengthened. The “lead practitioner” is now the Designated Safeguarding Lead, with clearer responsibilities and accountability.

• Safeguarding Training must be renewed every 2 years, with evidence of how it’s implemented and supported in practice.

• Whistleblowing in all settings must have clear procedures for staff to raise safeguarding concerns, and how these will be handled.

• Child Absences require prompt follow-up on unexplained absences. With regard to Emergency Contacts, providers are encouraged to hold more than two emergency contacts per child.

• Safer Eating and Nutrition require stronger guidelines and processes for allergy management, safe eating practices, choking prevention, and introduction of solids.

• Privacy in Personal Care re: nappy-changing and toileting policies must ensure respect privacy and dignity, while ensuring safeguarding.

• First Aid and Staff Ratios now include Volunteers (17+), students, and apprentices (16+) and they must have valid Paediatric First Aid to count in ratios.

Visit our Early Years resource pages.