§ Guides
EYFS framework changes from 1 September 2026: what your nursery must do
Last updated
A revised EYFS statutory framework takes effect on 1 September 2026 for group and school-based providers and for childminders in England. The biggest changes cover safer sleep for under-2s, safer eating and weaning, screen use, expanded safeguarding policy requirements, and a ban on certain dog breeds on premises. Here is every change, and the action each one demands before September.
Updated July 2026. Always check the current framework on GOV.UK before amending policies.
Who this applies to
The EYFS statutory framework is mandatory for all Ofsted-registered early years providers in England: nurseries, pre-schools, school-based settings and childminders. Separate versions exist for group and school-based providers and for childminders, and both are updated from 1 September 2026. Ofsted's inspection toolkit is being updated at the same time, so inspectors arriving from September will be checking against the new requirements from day one.
The changes at a glance
| Area | What changes | What you must do |
|---|---|---|
| Safer sleep | Stricter rules for under-2s: back sleeping, firm flat surface, separate sleep space, cots for babies 12 months and under, nothing extra in the cot | Rewrite sleep policy, audit cots and sleep room, retrain staff |
| Supervision of sleeping babies | Babies under 6 months need an adult present in the same room while sleeping | Review ratios and room deployment at sleep times |
| Safer eating and weaning | Discuss solid food stages and textures with each child's parents individually; staff positioned facing children while they eat | Update mealtime policy and weaning records; brief lunch cover staff |
| Screen use | Have regard to DfE guidance on screen use: avoid screens for under-2s except things like video calls; limited, purposeful use for ages 2 to 5 | Write or update a screen use policy; audit current practice |
| Safeguarding policy | Must cover procedures for staff to raise concerns, managing allegations, and rules on mobile phones, cameras and image-sharing devices | Update safeguarding policy and staff training records |
| Safeguarding training | Training should cover recognising abuse, inappropriate behaviour between staff and children, image sharing and safer recruitment | Refresh training plan; log completion for every staff member |
| Dogs on premises | Breeds banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, including XL Bully types, must not be kept or present at any time | Update visitor and premises policy; relevant for home-based provision especially |
The changes in detail
Safer sleep
This is the most operationally demanding change. From September, children under two must be placed on their backs to sleep, on a firm, flat surface, in their own sleep space. Babies aged 12 months and under must sleep in cots, and cots must not contain extra items such as toys, pillows, cot bumpers or extra blankets. For babies under six months, an adult must remain in the same room while they sleep.
The practical consequence most settings miss: the same-room requirement for under-sixes affects staffing at the busiest point of your day. If your baby room currently relies on a monitor and regular physical checks, that model no longer complies for your youngest children. Model your sleep-time deployment now, not in September.
Safer eating and weaning
Providers must discuss the introduction of solid foods, stages and textures with parents individually rather than assuming readiness by age. During meals, staff should position themselves so they are facing children, so choking or allergic reactions are spotted immediately. Your mealtime risk assessment, weaning records and induction for bank staff all need to reflect this.
Screen use
The framework now requires providers to have regard to DfE guidance on screen use. In summary: screens should be avoided for under-2s except in exceptional circumstances such as video calls, and for children aged 2 to 5 use should be limited, purposeful and linked to learning rather than passive entertainment. If you do not currently have a written screen use policy, September is the deadline to have one.
Safeguarding policies and training
Safeguarding policies must explicitly cover how staff raise concerns (including about colleagues and managers), how allegations are managed, and your rules on mobile phones, cameras and any device capable of sharing images. Training expectations expand to cover recognising abuse, inappropriate behaviour, image sharing and safer recruitment. Inspectors will expect your training log to show who has covered what, and when. If your suitability and vetting records live in a spreadsheet nobody owns, fix that before your next inspection: our single central record guide covers exactly what to track.
Banned dog breeds
Breeds banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, including XL Bully types, must not be kept or be present on the premises at any time. Mostly relevant to childminders and home-based provision, but group settings should reflect it in their visitor policy.
Your five-week countdown plan
- Week 1: download both updated framework documents from GOV.UK and highlight every "must" that differs from your current policies.
- Week 2: rewrite the affected policies: sleep, mealtimes, screen use, safeguarding, premises and visitors.
- Week 3: audit the physical environment: cots, sleep room layout, staff sightlines at mealtimes.
- Week 4: train and brief all staff, including bank staff; record completion against each name.
- Week 5: run a mock walk-through using our free Ofsted readiness checklist.
Frequently asked questions
When does the new EYFS framework come into force?
1 September 2026, for both group and school-based providers and childminders in England.
Is there a grace period?
No. The requirements apply from 1 September 2026, and Ofsted's updated inspection toolkit applies from September too. Ofsted has said it will not expect instant perfection where government guidance has only recently changed, but your policies and sleep arrangements need to comply from day one.
Do the changes apply to childminders?
Yes. A separate childminder version of the framework carries the equivalent requirements, including safer sleep and the dog breed ban.
Where do I find the official framework?
On GOV.UK: Early years foundation stage statutory framework. Treat every summary, including this one, as a map rather than the territory.
Inspection-ready, automatically
DullDocs keeps your policies, training records and compliance documents inspection-ready automatically, from £19 a month.