The New EYFS Framework and What You Need to Know for September 2025
The Department for Education has now released the updated Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, published on 14th July and effective from 1st September 2025. While many of you have been closely tracking these changes, it’s now official. So, let’s break down what’s new, what’s changed, and how you can stay compliant, without the overwhelm.
But first, we wanted to share this insightful quote from safeguarding consultant Rachel Buckler, who joined us recently for a free training webinar:
“The safeguarding reforms are a timely, much-needed improvement for the sector. While some will see minimal changes to their current practices, others may find the updates challenging and the amount of detail a little overwhelming. My advice for settings would be to take time to go through the changes in the new framework, highlight areas where practice is compliant, and note any adaptations needing to be made for both policy and practice.
Many settings have already allocated opportunities to communicate change with team members and colleagues through team meetings and professional supervisions. Changes should also, of course, be shared with children’s parents and carers so that they know and understand how to engage with strengthened safeguarding practices in your setting.
Despite rapid changes and high pressure, early years practitioners continue to prioritise children's welfare and protection with remarkable dedication. I’m so proud and honoured to work with such an amazing workforce.”
Rachel’s message highlights exactly why these changes matter and why clear communication, training, and thoughtful reflection are key as we move forward together.
Remember: Following this framework is not optional; it’s the law. But don’t worry, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
📌 Quick links – Jump to the section you need
The updated EYFS Framework covers a lot, so here’s a quick way to find the bits most relevant to you:
🧾 What is the EYFS and why does it matter
🍽️ Safer eating and allergy procedures
🚽 Toilets and intimate hygiene
Click any heading to jump straight to that section.
What is the EYFS and why does it matter?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards for learning, development, and care for children from birth to five years old. It’s all about giving every child the best possible start, making sure they’re safe, supported, and thriving in high-quality early years environments.
It’s also worth noting that there are two separate versions of the framework:
- One for group and school-based providers.
- One specifically for childminders.
So no matter what kind of setting you work in, there’s a version of the EYFS tailored to your needs.
📘 Find the EYFS for group and school-based providers here.
📗 Find the EYFS for childminders here.
These documents are your go-to guides for ensuring compliance and, most importantly, for delivering the best care and education to the children in your setting.
Whistleblowing procedures
One of the most important additions to the new EYFS Framework is the clear guidance on whistleblowing, a topic that’s all about keeping children safe and creating a strong, supportive safeguarding culture.
Whistleblowing is when a member of staff (including students and volunteers) raises a concern about poor or unsafe practices, especially those that could put children at risk. It’s an essential part of safeguarding, giving individuals a way to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
Sometimes, concerns can be difficult to raise, especially within close-knit teams. But having a safe and structured way to report worries is vital. Whistleblowing ensures that:
- Concerns are taken seriously.
- Action is taken quickly.
- Children remain protected at all times.
The EYFS Framework now clearly states (section 3.7):
“Providers must put appropriate whistleblowing procedures in place for all staff (including students and volunteers) to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice in the setting’s safeguarding provision.”
So, from September 2025, your setting must have clear, accessible whistleblowing procedures in place. This includes making sure all staff know:
- How to raise a concern.
- Who to go to with their concerns.
- That their concern will be handled confidentially and appropriately.
If a staff member doesn’t feel safe or comfortable raising a concern within the setting, or if they feel their concern hasn’t been handled appropriately, the updated framework makes it clear that they can turn to external channels for support, all of which are outlined in the new guidance.
Safer recruitment
If you’re recruiting now, or planning to soon, it’s important to know that the updated EYFS Framework places even greater emphasis on staff suitability and safer recruitment.
These updates are all about making sure that only the right people are working with children, those who are safe, qualified, and properly vetted.
Here’s what the new framework requires:
References are now a must:
You must obtain a reference for every new member of staff—this includes students and volunteers.
“Providers must obtain a reference for any member of staff (including students and volunteers) before they are recruited.” (EYFS 3.20)
Detailed recruitment records:
You must keep clear records of:
- Staff qualifications
- Identity checks
- Vetting procedures
- References
- Criminal records check reference numbers, dates, and who carried them out
“Providers must record information about staff qualifications and the identity checks, vetting processes and references that have been completed…” (EYFS 3.18)
Your safeguarding policy now needs to include specific procedures to ensure only suitable individuals are recruited.
These updates are put in place to protect children and maintain high standards. Every adult in your setting plays a key role in safeguarding, so making sure they’re thoroughly checked and well-prepared is absolutely essential.
If you’re unsure whether your current recruitment practices are fully compliant, now’s the time to review and refresh them.
Following up on unexplained absences
This is a big update and one that’s crucial for safeguarding. If a child doesn’t show up and you haven’t been told why, you are now legally required to follow up. And importantly, you must have at least two emergency contacts on file for every child.
Previously, there was no formal process around this in the EYFS. Now, it’s clear.
What the EYFS says (Section 3.11):
“Providers must follow up on absences in a timely manner. If a child is absent for a prolonged period of time, or if a child is absent without notification from the parent or carer, attempts must be made to contact the child’s parents and/or carers and alternative emergency contacts.”
You should also:
- Monitor patterns and trends in absences.
- Take into account each child’s personal circumstances.
- Use your professional judgement when deciding whether an absence is prolonged and a cause for concern.
Don’t forget to update your attendance policy; it must now include:
- Expectations for parents to report absences.
- Clear procedures for staff to follow when a child is unexpectedly absent.
The steps you’ll take, such as
- Contacting parents and carers.
- Reaching out to emergency contacts if no response.
- Following safeguarding procedures when necessary.
This is no longer just good practice; it’s now a legal safeguarding requirement. It’s also important to recognise that every unexplained absence should be considered in the context of the child’s situation. That means thinking about the child’s vulnerability, the circumstances of their parents or carers, and what life might be like at home. If you have any concerns, they must be referred to local children’s social care services, or in some cases, you may need to request a welfare check from the police.
💡 New feature alert!
To help you stay on top of this, our system now includes a dedicated absence report, designed with the EYFS reforms in mind. It allows you to track, monitor, and act on absences easily, so nothing falls through the cracks.
First aid and ratios
One important update in the EYFS Framework is around who can be counted in staff-to-child ratios, and the role that paediatric first aid (PFA) plays in that decision.
According to section 3.56 of the framework, students (aged 17 or over), long-term volunteers, and apprentices (aged 16 or over) can be counted in ratios at the level below their qualification—but only if they are:
- Suitable, as outlined in sections 3.13 to 3.16,
- Competent and responsible, and
- Hold a valid, current paediatric first aid qualification.
What does this mean for your setting?
As a nursery manager or leader, it’s essential to look beyond just headcounts. You’ll need to think carefully about how ratios are implemented and whether your team has the right mix of qualified, confident, and first-aid trained staff at all times.
Effective deployment is key, making sure that children are always within sight and hearing, especially during higher-risk moments like meals, outdoor play, or trips.
This is also a good time to revisit your dynamic risk assessments, ensuring that the environment supports safe practice for both children and staff. Empower your team by providing access to quality paediatric first aid training and by encouraging open conversations during team meetings and supervision. Help build confident educators who know how to respond in an emergency, and a setting that meets both the spirit and the letter of the EYFS.
Safer eating and allergy procedures
The updated EYFS Framework brings a more detailed and practical focus on safer eating, and rightly so. With allergies, choking risks, and nutritional needs being so central to children’s wellbeing, these changes are here to help settings create a safer, healthier environment for every child.
From September 2025, a new safeguarding and welfare requirement states that providers must have regard to the EYFS nutrition guidance. That means you’re expected to take it into account unless there’s a clear, justified reason not to.
What’s now expected?
Settings are now expected to take a joined-up, well-documented approach to how food is prepared, served, and monitored. This includes:
- Making sure there’s always a Paediatric First Aid (PFA) trained member of staff in the room when children are eating.
- Gathering and recording appropriate allergy and dietary information before a child starts nursery, and keeping this updated.
- Maintaining ongoing, open communication with parents, carers, and professionals about a child’s dietary needs
- Ensuring food is prepared in a way that’s suitable for each child’s needs and stage of development.
- Making sure children are always seated while eating, and that staff are actively supervising, listening, and observing.
- Recording any choking incidents that require intervention, no matter how minor they may seem.
As a manager, it’s important to clearly outline how eating and dietary needs are managed in your setting. That means:
- Building strong partnerships with parents, carers, and health professionals.
- Promoting clear and consistent information sharing across your team.
Putting in place robust procedures, backed by regular training, paediatric first aid, and practical conversations during team meetings and inductions. - Ensuring that children are always supervised adequately during meals and snacks.
We also recently teamed up with Zebedees, who’ve shared a brilliant article on this topic in our ABC of Nursery Management guide, and you can download it for free here.
Toilets and intimate hygiene
A new addition to the EYFS Framework highlights the importance of privacy during intimate care, such as nappy changes and toilet trips. It’s about ensuring that every child is treated with dignity, respect, and given as much privacy as is safely possible.
The framework states in section 3.86:
“Children’s privacy is considered and balanced with safeguarding and support needs when changing nappies and toileting.”
So, what does this mean in practice?
Your setting should thoughtfully consider lone working arrangements, making sure that privacy doesn’t compromise safety, and vice versa. It’s about creating an environment where children feel safe, supported, and respected at all times.
The spaces used for toileting and changing should be designed to allow for discreet, hygienic, and respectful care. These everyday routines should never feel clinical or rushed, but rather be warm, calm moments that foster trust and positive adult-child relationships.
As part of your safeguarding and welfare planning, now’s the time to review your setup, policies, and routines to make sure your intimate care practices reflect this updated guidance and support the dignity and wellbeing of every child in your care.
Safeguarding training
Safeguarding has always been at the heart of early years practice, and while there aren’t major changes in the updated EYFS Framework when it comes to training, there is now clearer guidance on what’s expected. A new section, Annex C, has been added, dedicated entirely to training, with a strong focus on safeguarding.
The message is simple: all staff must receive regular, up-to-date safeguarding training that reflects current guidance, best practice, and the unique needs of your setting. This applies to everyone working with children, including your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who must complete training that fully meets the criteria in Annex C.
In her brilliant breakdown of the changes in our free Safeguarding Essentials for 2025 Reforms webinar, safeguarding consultant Rachel Buckler informs us that it is now mandatory that safeguarding training is refreshed at least every two years. However, providers should also consider whether annual refreshers are needed, especially if any concerns arise in the setting, or simply to help staff maintain their core safeguarding knowledge.
Your safeguarding policy will now need to outline how training is delivered, how staff are supported to apply what they’ve learned in practice, and how you determine when targeted support or additional training is needed.
Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of leaders and managers to make sure that these systems are in place and that training remains an active, ongoing part of professional development.
While the updated EYFS Framework might feel like a lot to take in, hopefully, none of it has come as too much of a surprise. These changes are about tightening safety, raising standards, and ensuring the very best outcomes for children.
Last month, we had the pleasure of partnering with Rachel Buckler, a well-respected voice in early years training. Her online learning programmes offer trusted, practical knowledge across a wide range of key topics—including safeguarding, child protection, and staff wellbeing. Explore her training here.
And if you missed it, don’t forget you can rewatch our free webinar: Safeguarding Essentials for 2025 Reforms – Policy, People, Practice. It’s packed with expert insights to help you get to grips with the changes.
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Content Marketing Executive at Connect Childcare