EYFS Updates 2025

Childminder Guides > EYFS Updates 2025

From 1st September 2025, DfE is making some changes to the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the EYFS. Changes will be made to the following sections of the safeguarding and welfare requirements:

References for new staff

You will need to update your Safer Recruitment Policy. Main changes – providing and requesting references for assistants.

See appendix 10 of the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures for a sample Safer Recruitment Policy.

Child absences

You will need a written Attendance Policy. Main changes – you must report absences to keep children safe. Childcare.co.uk has added an Attendance Policy to the model Safeguarding Policy – see appendix 7.

Emergency contact information

You will need 2 additional emergency contacts from parents. Main changes – if parents cannot collect children, you will need details of 2 of their nominated contacts. The Childcare.co.uk free Emergency contact form already asks parents for this information.

Safeguarding training

Your safeguarding training will need to be updated at least every 2 years and cover the requirements set out in Annex C of the EYFS 2025. There will be training for everyone and additional training for the designated safeguarding lead (childminder).

Additional training for the designated safeguarding lead (childminder). Main changes – DfE set out what needs to be included in an early years safeguarding training course and states it must be completed every 2 years. You should (stronger wording than in the EYFS 2024) also read ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused: advice for practitioners’

‘Childcare.co.uk will deliver free safeguarding training webinars in March 2025 to cover this requirement change and it is recommended that you also attend Local Authority training where possible.

Paediatric first aid

PFA providers will need to be registered to offer approved courses. Main changes – you will need to check with your paediatric first aid provider to ensure they offer an approved course. Childcare.co.uk members can receive a 15% discount on Tigerlily First Aid courses.

Safer eating

There will be a lot of new information in the EYFS 2025 about safer eating. Main changes – new requirements around child safety, supervision, allergies, weaning and choking.

Childcare.co.uk has added a Safer Eating Policy to our sample Childminder Policies, Safer Eating webinar training and written guidance, including updated assistant / staff training modules.

Nappy changing, toileting and privacy

You will need to review how well you protect children’s privacy and keep other children in sight and / or hearing while changing nappies and taking children to the toilet. Main changes – you must balance privacy with supervision.

Childcare.co.uk has added sample wording for your Safeguarding Policy and updated the Health and Safety Toolkit with further guidance.

Whistleblowing

You will need a written Whistleblowing Policy. Main changes – keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility; contacts for supporting the whistleblower will be included in the EYFS.

Childcare.co.uk has added an updated Whistleblowing Policy to the model Safeguarding Policy.

Safeguarding policy updates

There will be several different policy changes. Main changes – new safeguarding policy contents will be added to requirement 3.7 (EYFS 2024) covering the suitability of new assistants and safeguarding training requirements.

The Childcare.co.uk model Safeguarding Policy has been updated.

Safeguarding terminology

The safeguarding ‘lead practitioner’ will be referred to as the designated safeguarding lead (DSL). Main changes – wording tweak.

Childcare.co.uk safeguarding documentation has been updated where relevant.

The changes will mean that your paperwork will need to be updated ready for 1st Sept 2025 and you might need to make some changes to your ways of working.

There will be small updates – for example, update the data audit to include information about retaining 2 emergency contacts for children and 2 references for assistants / staff and big updates – for example, attending training every 2 years and writing new policies for attendance and whistleblowing.

Note that DfE mostly (but not always) refer to childminding staff as ‘assistants’ and staff in group early years settings as ‘staff’ – this change should be reflected in paperwork.

If you have assistants (childminders) or staff (group settings) you will need to update the Safer Recruitment Policy and add information to induction and ongoing training manuals and supervision meetings.

Childcare.co.uk will support all members with action plans and there will be free webinars and updated documents released in the new year, to align with the webinars.

The Childcare.co.uk free childminder organiser for 2025 has also been updated to help you comply with the new requirements – for example, reminders to request updated information from parents about their child’s eating at home and allergies.

You can read more about the EYFS changes on the gov.uk website.