In July of this year, the government updated the Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework for implementation from September 2025. In response, the NSPCC published a useful briefing which summarises the updates as they relate to safeguarding and welfare, which sits squarely in the charity’s remit. The NSPCC document focuses on early years settings, to include childminding.

NSPCC Summary of the Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework

The updates to safeguarding and welfare include changes to the guidance on:

• safeguarding policies and procedures
• whistleblowing
• child absences
• references (for persons being recruited to work in early years settings)
• staff: child ratios
• safer eating
• toilets and intimate hygiene

The briefing is written in plain English and is very suitable for Level 3 students and makes a useful supplement to the specification of the AAQ BTEC National in Early Childhood Development, with relevance to both Unit 1 Children’s Development and Unit 2 Keeping Children Safe.

I recommend that all teachers of Early Childhood Development sign up for the NSPCC’s CASPAR Briefings, which are designed to help people working or volunteering with children and young people understand changes to safeguarding and child protection policy and guidance.