New EYFS statutory frameworks come into force today: What early years providers need to know

New versions of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework come into force today, 1 September 2026, introducing a number of strengthened safeguarding and welfare requirements for early years providers in England.

There continue to be two versions of the statutory framework:

• the EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providers; and
• the EYFS statutory framework for childminders.

The frameworks were first published in July to give providers time to prepare. From today, they replace the previous versions and are the statutory frameworks that providers must follow.

The Department for Education has confirmed that there have been no further changes to the requirements since the versions published in July 2026.

What has changed?

The 2026 frameworks strengthen a number of safeguarding and welfare requirements.

Safer sleep

Explicit safer sleep requirements have now been incorporated directly into the EYFS statutory framework.

Providers must ensure that sleeping children are frequently checked and that they follow the latest government safety guidance, taking account of the individual needs of the child.

This makes safer sleep an explicit part of the statutory safeguarding and welfare requirements rather than requiring providers to refer separately to external guidance.

Safer recruitment and suitability

There are important changes to recruitment and suitability requirements.

These include a requirement for enhanced criminal records checks for volunteers, including supervised volunteers, alongside strengthened requirements preventing new employees from commencing employment before the required criminal records check has been received.

The frameworks also amend the information that providers must require staff to disclose where circumstances may affect their suitability to work with children.

Providers should ensure that their recruitment procedures and staff suitability processes reflect these requirements from today.

Reporting allegations of harm

The threshold for notifying Ofsted, or a childminder agency where applicable, has also changed.

Providers must now notify them of allegations of “harm”, rather than only allegations of “serious harm”, involving anyone living, working or looking after children at the premises.

This is an important change and settings should ensure that those responsible for safeguarding understand the revised notification requirement.

Screen use

For the first time, both EYFS frameworks require providers to have regard to government guidance on screen use in early years settings.

The guidance considers how screens are used with young children and is intended to support providers in making appropriate decisions about when and how technology forms part of early years provision.

Banned dog breeds

Registered childcare must no longer be provided from premises where a banned dog breed is kept or present.

This requirement applies across registered early years provision and forms part of wider changes to registration requirements introduced alongside the revised EYFS frameworks.

Childcare on domestic premises

There is an additional requirement within the group and school-based framework affecting childcare on domestic premises (CoDP).

Providers must notify Ofsted or their childminder agency of changes involving people aged 16 or over who live or work at the premises. This brings the requirements more closely into line with those already applying to childminders.

What should providers do now?

As the revised frameworks are now in force, providers should ensure that they are working from the correct 2026 version and that relevant policies, procedures and staff practice reflect the new requirements.

Particular attention should be given to:

• safeguarding and child protection procedures;
• safer recruitment and volunteer checks;
• staff suitability and disclosure arrangements;
• safer sleep procedures;
• procedures for notifying Ofsted or a childminder agency;
• screen use; and
• arrangements concerning animals and banned dog breeds on premises.

Managers and safeguarding leads should also ensure that relevant staff understand the changes which affect their role.

What does this mean for ISS members?

ISS has been preparing for these changes since the revised frameworks were published in July.

Our 2026/27 EYFS safeguarding policy templates for both group settings and childminders have been updated to reflect the new statutory requirements, alongside the wider safeguarding changes taking effect for the new academic year.

For members, the key message is straightforward: you do not need to work through the new framework alone to determine what needs changing.

We have already incorporated the relevant requirements into our updated resources and training so that members can concentrate on implementing them in practice.

Members should ensure they are now using the 2026/27 versions of relevant ISS policies and resources available through their dashboard.

Access the new statutory frameworks

The Department for Education's main EYFS statutory framework page contains both current frameworks:

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework – GOV.UK

Separate versions are available for:

• group and school-based providers
• childminders

The Department for Education has also published a dedicated summary explaining the changes taking effect from 1 September 2026.

The new requirements apply from today, 1 September 2026.