EYFS Update 2025: What Early Years Settings Need to Know

The Department for Education (DfE) has released the updated Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework for group and school-based providers, effective from 1st September 2025. With changes reflecting updated safeguarding priorities, training expectations and clarity on welfare requirements, it’s vital that early years settings adapt their policies and practice to remain compliant.

In this blog, we break down what’s new, what you need to review, and how to prepare your team and provision ahead of September.

What Is the EYFS Framework?

The EYFS statutory framework sets the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to age five. All Ofsted registered early years providers must follow it, ensuring children’s safety and readiness for school while promoting wellbeing and equal opportunities.

What Are the Updates to the 2025 EYFS Framework?

The July 2025 publication introduces a range of clarifications and reinforced expectations for group and school-based settings. Key updates have been made to:

• Enhance the safe recruitment process
• Tighten absence monitoring
• Refine eating and allergy management
• Clarify safeguarding roles and training
• Reinforce first aid, whistleblowing and privacy procedures

What’s New in the 2025 EYFS Update?

1. Strengthened Safer Recruitment Processes

Recruitment procedures must now include:

• Verified references that are not open, not from family members and provided by an appropriate authority.
• Clear confirmation of the applicant’s suitability to work with children, including checks on any past safeguarding allegations (where substantiated and relevant).
• Consistency checks between application forms and references are now a must, with discrepancies followed up before appointment.

Now is the time to update your reference request templates and staff induction procedures.

2. Improved Oversight of Child Absences

Providers must have clear, proactive procedures in place to respond to unexplained or prolonged absences, including:

• Reaching out to multiple emergency contacts if a parent/carer cannot be reached
• Recording and reviewing absence trends as part of safeguarding

You may find it helpful to utilise our attendance strategy, monitoring and training resources to improve your oversight of child absences. 

3. Food Safety, Allergies and Choking Prevention

Feeding and food preparation guidance has been expanded, with expectations including:

• Allergy and dietary needs must be gathered prior to admission
• Food must meet each child’s developmental stage (e.g. risk of choking)
• Children must be within sight and hearing of staff while eating, and seated appropriately
• Paediatric First Aid (PFA)-trained staff must be present in the room during all meal/snack times
• Allergy action plans should be co-created with health professionals and updated regularly
• Choking incidents must now be recorded and reviewed to identify common features or preventable patterns.

4. Whistleblowing and Safeguarding Confidence

Staff must:

• Be familiar with the setting’s whistleblowing procedures
• Know how to report concerns both internally and externally
• Trust that concerns will be taken seriously by leaders

5. Clearer Expectations for DSL Role

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) must:

• Be clearly identifiable
• Be trained in line with the updated annex of the EYFS framework
• Support staff in putting training into practice, not just attending courses

Training should include practical application, not just theory, such as scenarios, case studies and trend analysis.

6. Respecting Children’s Privacy and Dignity

New emphasis is placed on ensuring that:

• Personal care routines (e.g. toileting, changing) are carried out respectfully
• Staff balance privacy with safeguarding vigilance
• Children’s rights and comfort are central during all interactions

Additional Clarifications in the 2025 Framework

• Staff working towards Level 2 or Level 3 must hold a valid paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate if counted in ratios.
• Digital references must come from a verified source and may need follow-up for authenticity.
• Guidance clearly differentiates between allergies vs intolerances, recognising that allergies may develop at any age.

Our EYFS Safeguarding and Welfare Checklist includes the September 2025 EYFS framework updates, covering the safeguarding and welfare requirements. This tool can help you assess your current compliance and identify any gaps.

What Should EYFS Providers and Settings Do Next?

• Update recruitment policies to mandate pre-employment references.
• Revise absence and emergency contact protocols.
• Train or appoint your DSL and update safeguarding documentation to reference the new training annex.
• Ensure all trainees in ratios have valid PFA certification.
• Enhance eating and allergy risk assessments.
• Refresh whistleblowing communication and signposting to external channels.
• Strengthen privacy procedures for personal care.

Our EYFS Folder Pack is a useful tool for Early Years Leaders to ensure they have everything they need in one place.