EYFS changes 2025 and 2026: what changed and what to do

The EYFS changed twice in twelve months. On 1 September 2025 a package of safeguarding reforms arrived: references before recruitment, whistleblowing procedures, safeguarding training to a published standard renewed every two years, absence follow-up, a safer eating section and privacy during nappy changing. On 1 September 2026 new versions added detailed safe sleep rules, a ban on dogs of banned breeds being on the premises, tighter DBS rules for volunteers and new starters, a lower threshold for reporting allegations, and screen use guidance.

The 2025 round was the bigger rewrite. The 2026 round is smaller but not cosmetic: the safe sleep and DBS changes alter what staff do every day. Both apply to the group and school-based framework and the childminder framework unless marked otherwise. Paragraph numbers below are from the 2026 documents, which are the ones in force. If your policies quote paragraph numbers, check them against the 2026 documents.

What changed in September 2025?

References and safer recruitment

You must get a written reference before anyone is recruited (childminders: before recruiting an assistant). The framework describes a good one: not an open “to whom it may concern” letter, not from family, not collected by the applicant, and from a senior person at the current employer, training provider or college. Find out why the person left their last job and settle any concern before confirming. Your safeguarding policy must describe how you check new recruits. When you are asked for a reference, reply promptly and give facts, not opinions, about any substantiated safeguarding concern.

Why: a vague reference lets an unsuitable person move on without anyone saying why they left.

Group 3.6, 3.18, 3.20–3.21. Childminders 3.7, 3.21–3.22.

Whistleblowing

You need a procedure saying when and how staff raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice, and what happens next. Staff must know it and feel able to use it. The framework names the NSPCC whistleblowing line for those who cannot raise it internally.

Group 3.7–3.8. Childminders 3.8.

Safeguarding training to a set standard

Annex C sets out what safeguarding training must cover for all staff and, in more depth, for the designated safeguarding lead (DSL), including safer recruitment, allegations against staff and internet safety. Training must be renewed every two years. Your safeguarding policy must say how training is delivered and how staff are supported to use it. The group framework now says “designated safeguarding lead” instead of “lead practitioner”; a childminder is their own DSL.

Group 3.4, 3.6, 3.31–3.33. Childminders 3.7, 3.33–3.36.

Following up absences

Follow up absences in a timely manner, try parents then other emergency contacts when a child is absent without notice or for a long time, and refer concerns to children’s social care or the police. You need an attendance policy shared with parents, and should hold more than two emergency contacts where possible. See following up a child’s absence.

Group 3.11–3.12, 3.99. Childminders 3.12–3.13, 3.98.

Safer eating

A new section covers mealtimes. There should always be a paediatric first aider in the room while children eat. You must collect allergies and dietary needs before a child starts, share them with everyone handling food, and be clear at every meal who checks each child’s plate. Food must be prepared to prevent choking and matched to each child’s stage of weaning, never assumed from age. Children must be within sight and hearing while eating, and staff should sit facing them where possible. Choking incidents that needed intervention should be recorded and reviewed. See safer eating and allergies.

Group 3.64–3.71. Childminders 3.63–3.70.

Privacy during nappy changing and toileting

Children’s privacy must be considered and balanced with safeguarding when changing nappies and toileting. In practice, think about who else can see a child being changed, and why, while keeping the arrangement safe for children and staff.

Group 3.88. Childminders 3.87.

First aid for students and apprentices (group only)

Students, long-term volunteers aged 17 or over and apprentices aged 16 or over can count in ratios only if they hold a valid paediatric first aid certificate, as well as being suitable, competent and responsible.

Group 3.57.

What changed in September 2026?

Safe sleep written into the framework

The detail used to sit in separate guidance. It is now in the framework, for children under two. In short: on their back, in their own sleep space on a firm, flat surface; babies aged 12 months and under only in a cot; a firm, flat, waterproof mattress with lightweight bedding tucked in below the shoulders, or a well-fitted sleep bag; feet-to-foot if using blankets; nothing else in the cot; heads never covered; a room at 16–20°C. Babies under six months must have an adult in the room for every sleep, and children must be within sight and hearing while asleep. Practitioners must read the NHS advice on sudden infant death syndrome. See safe sleep at nursery.

Group 3.86. Childminders 3.86.

DBS checks, starting work and disclosure

Enhanced DBS and barred list checks now cover volunteers even when supervised. The group framework exempts only occasional supervised helpers, such as a parent on a trip, and not overnight or when giving personal care. Nobody may start working or volunteering until their check has arrived. Childminder assistants must be cleared by Ofsted or the agency via the suitability letter before they start. Staff must be told to disclose arrests, charges, convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings, whether before or during employment.

Group 3.15, 3.17. Childminders 3.14, 3.17–3.18.

Allegations: “harm”, not “serious harm”

You must tell Ofsted or your childminder agency about any allegation of harm or abuse by anyone living, working or looking after children at the premises, within 14 days, and what you did about it. The old threshold was “serious harm”, so more allegations now need reporting.

Group 3.10. Childminders 3.11.

Banned dog breeds

Banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, including the XL Bully type, must never be kept or present on the premises, even with an exemption certificate. This matters most for childminders and home-based settings.

Group 3.82. Childminders 3.81.

Screen use

You must have regard to the DfE’s screen use guidance. It recommends avoiding screens for under-twos except in exceptional cases such as a video call with parents, and limiting two- to five-year-olds to an hour a day, with an adult alongside.

Group 3.94. Childminders 3.93.

Smaller changes

Group settings must now tell Ofsted about changes to anyone aged 16 or over living or working on domestic premises where childcare is provided (3.105). The DfE also clarified the level 2 English requirements in its qualifications document, and made minor wording changes.

The checklist: what to update

Work through this with your DSL. Tick only when the document is updated and staff can explain the change in their own words.

Change	When	Framework	What to update	Done?
References before recruitment	2025	Both	Recruitment procedure; reference request template; record of checks (group)	☐
Recruitment in safeguarding policy	2025	Both	Add a section on checking new recruits	☐
Whistleblowing	2025	Both	Written procedure; staff handbook; NSPCC number on the staff noticeboard	☐
Training to Annex C	2025	Both	Check courses against Annex C; two-year renewal date per person; DSL course	☐
DSL title	2025	Group	Replace “lead practitioner” in policies and posters	☐
Absence follow-up	2025	Both	Attendance policy shared with parents; three or more emergency contacts	☐
Safer eating	2025	Both	First aider in every eating room; allergy plans; named checker per meal; choking log	☐
Toileting privacy	2025	Both	Intimate care policy; changing area layout	☐
Students and apprentices in ratio	2025	Group	Paediatric first aid certificate before counting in ratio	☐
Safe sleep	2026	Both	Sleep policy; cots for 12 months and under; room thermometer; an adult in the room for babies under six months	☐
Volunteers’ DBS	2026	Both	Enhanced check for regular volunteers, supervised or not	☐
No start before checks	2026	Both	Start dates set only after the DBS (or suitability letter) arrives	☐
Staff disclosure	2026	Both	Contracts and handbook list what staff must disclose	☐
Allegations threshold	2026	Both	Safeguarding policy says “harm” and the 14-day notification	☐
Banned dog breeds	2026	Both	Premises risk assessment; household dogs checked	☐
Screen use	2026	Both	Screen use policy in line with DfE guidance	☐

Ofsted’s inspection documents changed at the same time. From September 2026 inspectors must check safe sleep, weaning and safer eating on every inspection, and review DBS records as a priority. See how Ofsted inspects early years now.