Safeguarding special: Are you ready for EYFS reforms that take effect from 1st September 2025?
From 1st September 2025, the Department for Education will implement major reforms to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework for childminders and group-based providers. These changes aim to enhance child safety and improve staff accountability.
Key safeguarding and welfare changes:
- Whistleblowing: All staff, including volunteers and apprentices, must be covered by a written whistleblowing policy
- Recruitment: References must be obtained before employment; policies must reflect safer recruitment practices
- Child Absences: Providers must follow up on unexplained absences and maintain at least two emergency contacts per child
- Paediatric First Aid: Only staff with approved PFA training can be counted in ratios; providers must verify course accreditation
- Safer Eating: New protocols around allergy awareness, supervision during meals, and choking prevention
- Privacy and Supervision: Nappy changing and toileting must balance child privacy with adequate supervision
Training requirements:
- Safeguarding training must now be updated at least every two years and must meet the standards outlined in Annex C of the EYFS 2025
- Annual refreshers are encouraged to maintain best practice
These reforms mark a significant step forward in safeguarding and quality assurance in early years education.
If you haven’t done so already, we encourage you all and your team to review the EYFS changes and update your policies and procedures to ensure you are ready for 1st September 2025.
Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework – GOV.UK