From September 2025, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework will undergo significant changes, particularly in the area of safeguarding. These reforms aim to strengthen child protection measures, raise expectations around staff training, and place greater accountability on leaders and managers within early years settings.

For nursery managers, childminders, and safeguarding leads, understanding and preparing for these changes is not optional – it’s essential.

What’s changing?

The upcoming reforms will place a strong emphasis on creating a proactive, well-trained safeguarding culture across all early years environments. Some of the key updates include:

• An enhanced role for the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), with clearer responsibilities around leadership, record-keeping, and working with other agencies.
• Stricter expectations around safeguarding training for all staff, ensuring it is regular, robust, and clearly evidenced.
• Updated safer recruitment guidance, ensuring those working with children are suitable, trained, and properly vetted.
• New requirements for managing child absence and ensuring these concerns are followed up effectively.
• Improved whistleblowing procedures, empowering staff to speak up safely and appropriately.
• Refreshed paediatric first aid expectations, with greater emphasis on accessibility and up-to-date certification.
• Food safety guidance, to ensure children's health and hygiene are consistently prioritised.

These updates are designed to ensure that every setting is not only compliant, but also truly safe and responsive to the needs of the children in their care.

To support early years professionals in navigating these changes, I am hosting a 30-minute session at the Nursery Management Show. This session will provide an essential overview of the EYFS safeguarding reforms, along with practical advice and strategies for preparing your team and reviewing your current policies.

Whether you're a nursery manager, DSL, childminder, or early years leader, this is a fantastic opportunity to get ahead of the reforms and start planning confidently for September 2025. I’ll break down the changes, answer key questions, and help you feel ready to lead safeguarding practice in your setting with clarity and confidence.

Safeguarding is at the heart of early years practice, and these reforms are a timely reminder of the responsibility we all share in keeping children safe. Be sure to share this opportunity with colleagues and peers – and let’s prepare for these changes together.

Book your free ticket for Nursery Management Show on 27 June to hear more from Alan in his session New Reforms in the EYFS for Safeguarding.