Changes to the EYFS framework
The early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework is mandatory for all early years settings. It sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well, and are kept healthy and safe.
There are two versions of the EYFS framework, one for:
childminders
group and school-based providers
This page summarises the reasons why the changes have been made.
Contents on this page
Why the changes have been made
A full list of changes to the early years foundation stage framework is available for your setting. The changes are mainly regulatory and offer new flexibilities to settings.
These changes do not alter the EYFS education reforms that were introduced in September 2021 and January 2024.
From 1 November 2024
These changes have been made to:
- help childminders join and stay in the profession
- support the rollout of the expanded childcare entitlements
- clarify the existing policy on the qualification requirements for counting in the staff to child ratios at Level 6 (the Check your early years qualifications finder now confirms which qualifications can be included in staff to child ratios at Level 6)
Further changes from September 2025
The changes from September 2025 are being made to strengthen the EYFS safeguarding requirements.
The main changes to be aware of are:
- amendments to promote safer recruitment, including:
- new expectations to provide references
- requirements to obtain references
- a requirement for safeguarding policies to include procedures to help ensure that only suitable individuals are recruited
- new requirements for providers to follow up if a child is absent for a prolonged period of time and amendments to ensure providers hold additional emergency contact details
- new requirements to ensure safer eating
- the creation of a safeguarding training criteria annex and a requirement for safeguarding policies to include details of how safeguarding training is delivered, including how practitioners are supported to put it into place
- amendments to ensure that early years students and trainees are required to have paediatric first aid (PFA) training for them to be included in ratios at the level below their level of study
- new requirements to support whistleblowing
- amendments to ensure that children’s privacy during nappy changing and toileting is considered and balanced with safeguarding considerations
A small number of other minor changes to the structure and wording of the safeguarding requirements have been made to improve clarity.
Changes made in January 2024
From 4 January 2024 the previous single version of the EYFS framework was replaced with specific versions for Childminders and School and Group-Based providers to ensure providers were ready and able to offer the new early years entitlements from April 2024.
It introduced flexibilities to remove burdens for early years providers whilst maintaining quality and safety standards.
Find further support
You may also find it helpful to contact your local authority or support groups to find out what advice they can offer on the changes.