Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework for group and school-based providers (July 2025)
Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
NOTE: We are drawing your attention to relevant sections of the EYFS but this does not replace the detail and content of the framework, which must be read in its entirety.
The EYFS Statutory Framework 2025 states:
All settings that provide care for children aged 0-5 must meet safeguarding and welfare requirements as set out in Section 3. (of the framework)
3.3 Providers must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well. The requirements in this section explain what early years providers must do to:
- Safeguard children.
- Ensure the people who have contact with children are suitable.
- Promote good health.
- Support and understand behaviour.
- Maintain records, policies, and procedures
3.4 In every setting, a practitioner must be designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children. The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is responsible for liaison with local statutory children’s services agencies, and with the Local Safeguarding Partners (LSPs). All practitioners must be alert to any issues of concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere
3.5 Providers must have and implement policies and procedures to keep children safe and meet EYFS requirements. Schools are not required to have separate policies to cover EYFS requirements provided the requirements are already met through an existing policy. Where providers are required to have policies and procedures as specified below, these policies and procedures should be recorded in writing. Policies and procedures should be in line with the guidance and procedures of the relevant LSP.
3.6 Safeguarding policies must include:
- The action to be taken when there are safeguarding concerns about a child.
- The action to be taken in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff.
- How mobile phones, cameras and other electronic devices with imaging and sharing capabilities are used in the setting.
- Procedures to follow to check the suitability of new recruits.
- Detail of how safeguarding training is delivered and how practitioners are supported to put this into practice. Providers may find it helpful to read
Key points outlined in the EYFS statutory Framework relating to safeguarding also include requirements on
- Whistle blowing
- Concerns about children’s safety and welfare
- Child Absences
- Suitable People
3.9 If providers have concerns about children’s safety or welfare, they must immediately notify their local authority children’s social care team, in line with local reporting procedures, and, in emergencies, the police. Providers must also take into account the government’s statutory guidance Working together to safeguard children – GOV.UK and Prevent duty guidance: England and Wales (2023) – GOV.UK
All schools are required to have regard to the government’s statutory guidance Keeping children safe in education – GOV.UK, and other childcare providers may also find it helpful to read this guidance.
Providers may also find helpful
Child abuse concerns: guide for practitioners – GOV.UK
Working together to safeguard children – GOV.UK
The Local Safeguarding Partnership (LSP) in Suffolk is known as the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership
Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership
Guidance
Early years inspection handbook (2024)
Early years inspection handbook – GOV.UK
Childminder guidance includes the following that is additional to, or different from the above
Early years foundation stage statutory framework for childminders (2025)
Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework – GOV.UK
Section 3 (of the framework) sets out the safeguarding and welfare requirements childminders must meet.
3.4 Childminders working alone or with assistants must take lead responsibility for safeguarding children in their setting. Childminders must know how to contact the local statutory children’s services and the Local Safeguarding Partners (LSPs). All practitioners must be alert to any issues of concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere.
3.5 In the case of childminders working together, each childminder is responsible for meeting the requirements of their own registration. Childminders must know that they have a shared responsibility when working together for the wellbeing of all the children present. Therefore, where childminders work together, each childminder also has a responsibility to refer any concerns where another childminder does not continually meet the requirements of their registration.
3.6 Childminders must have and implement policies and procedures to keep children safe and meet EYFS requirements. Childminders solely registered on the early years register or with an early years CMA are not required to have written policies and procedures. However, they must be able to explain their policies and procedures to parents, carers, and others
3.7 Safeguarding policies must include:
- The action to be taken in the event of an allegation being made against anyone living, working or looking after children at the premises from which the childcare/childminding is provided.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) safeguarding reforms – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)