On 1 September 2025 the EYFS statutory framework changed more, from a safeguarding point of view, than it had in a decade. Things many settings already did voluntarily became explicit duties that inspectors expect to see evidenced. This course takes managers, DSLs and practitioners through each of the EYFS safeguarding changes of 2025, what they look like when they are done properly, and the September 2026 safer sleep changes.
Why the 2025 safeguarding changes matter
The reforms followed a 2024 government consultation that drew on serious incidents, safeguarding reviews and feedback from the sector. Its message was that most settings safeguard children well, yet the framework left too much to interpretation: who leads on safeguarding, how often staff are trained, how references are handled, and what happens when a child simply stops turning up. Serious harm to children almost always travels through small gaps, and the new requirements are designed to close them.
If your policies, training records and recruitment files still reflect the pre-2025 framework, your setting is likely to be falling short of a legal requirement. An inspector is entitled to expect a named DSL, current training, compliant recruitment files, absence procedures and device policies, all in place and evidenced. The course also explains how Ofsted’s updated toolkits evidence safer sleep and safer eating, and why breaches in these areas can affect whether safeguarding is judged to be met.
What’s in the course
- The 2025 safeguarding reforms at a glanceWhy the framework changed, the areas it now covers, and the safer eating and whistleblowing duties.
- The Designated Safeguarding Lead: a formalised roleA named person, defined responsibilities, appropriate training, and cover whenever children are present.
- Whole-staff training and the two-year cycleWho must be trained, what the training must achieve, and running a training matrix that never lapses.
- Safer recruitment and referencesReferences obtained before anyone starts, recruitment procedures in your policy, and giving honest references.
- Absence follow-up, emergency contacts and device policiesWritten absence triggers, more than one contact for every child, and clear rules on phones, cameras and smart devices.
- Safer sleep and the September 2026 changesStrengthened safer sleep requirements, how Ofsted evidences sleep and eating, and your whole-setting action plan.
- Assessment10 questions. Pass mark 80%. Resit as many times as you need.
What you’ll learn
- The three parts of a compliant DSL role, a named person, defined responsibilities and appropriate training, plus cover so a trained lead is available whenever children are
- That safeguarding training is required for all staff, at induction and refreshed at least every two years
- How to run a training matrix with diaried renewals and kept evidence that stands up at inspection
- Why references must be in hand before a candidate starts, and how to verify referees and probe gaps in employment history
- What your safeguarding policy must say about recruitment, and why a reference you give must never hide a safeguarding concern
- How to set written triggers for following up absences, record every contact attempt, and hold and refresh additional emergency contacts for each child
- What a devices policy must cover, from personal phones to smart watches, and why it applies to everyone on the premises
- That a member of staff with a paediatric first aid certificate must be present while children eat, and how to prepare your sleep and mealtime practice for September 2026
Who this course is for
- Nursery managers, owners and registered providers responsible for policy and compliance
- Designated safeguarding leads and their deputies
- Room leaders and practitioners who need to know what changed and what is expected of them
- Staff who handle recruitment, registration and attendance records
How it works
- OnlineStudy on any device and pick up where you left off.
- 6 short lessonsAbout 45 minutes in total.
- 10-question assessmentPass mark 80%. Resit as many times as you need.
- CertificateIssued when you pass. NFAQ accredited.
Training your team
Every member of staff should be able to name the DSL and explain what they would do with a concern, so these changes are best shared across the whole team. Choose the number of learners at checkout, with group rates from 3 learners, or get it as part of the Training Portal for £5 per learner per month. For more depth, see Safer Recruitment and Whistleblowing in Early Years.
Frequently asked questions
What changed in EYFS safeguarding in September 2025?
The reforms formalised the DSL role, made safeguarding training a requirement for all staff with refreshers at least every two years, strengthened safer recruitment and references, required follow-up of prolonged absences and additional emergency contacts, called for clear device policies, made safer eating explicit and strengthened whistleblowing expectations.
Can a new member of staff start while their references are on the way?
No. Since September 2025 references must be obtained before a candidate starts work. That includes a supervised settling-in week. Your other vetting checks also need to be complete first.
Who covers safeguarding when our DSL is away?
You need arrangements to cover the DSL role whenever the named person is unavailable, which usually means a trained deputy who can reach the safeguarding records and local referral routes. If no safeguarding lead is available and a child may be at risk of significant harm, any member of staff can contact children’s social care or the police directly.
What does the course say about safer sleep in 2026?
From September 2026 the EYFS carries strengthened safer sleep requirements, and Ofsted’s updated toolkits evidence safer sleep and safer weaning and eating. Lesson 6 covers the established practice to check against, including babies on their backs, clear, firm, flat sleep surfaces and recorded physical checks.
What happens if I don’t pass the assessment?
You can resit it as many times as you need until you pass. Your certificate is issued as soon as you reach the 80% pass mark.
Does Ofsted approve this course?
Ofsted does not approve training providers. The certificate is evidence that you completed the training, and the course helps you show inspectors how your setting meets each requirement.
