EYFS changes from September 2026

Short answer: new EYFS frameworks came into force on 1 September 2026. The changes are to safeguarding and welfare: safer sleep written into the framework, screen use guidance, a ban on childcare where a banned dog breed is present, DBS checks for all volunteers, and reporting allegations of harm. The learning and development requirements didn’t change.

Updated 29 October 2026 from GOV.UK. For group settings and childminders in England. A guide, not legal advice: the frameworks themselves are the final word.

What changed

Safer sleep is now written into the EYFS. The safer sleep requirements sit in the main body of both frameworks, so you no longer refer out to separate guidance. Babies aged 12 months and under must only be put to sleep in a cot, and where blankets are used the child goes feet-to-foot with blankets tucked in.
Screen use. Providers must have regard to DfE’s screen use guidance for early years settings, published alongside the framework.
Banned dog breeds. Registered childcare can’t be provided from any premises where a banned dog breed is kept or present. Nannies can’t take one onto the premises where they work.
DBS checks for volunteers and new staff. Volunteers, including supervised volunteers, need an enhanced criminal records check, and new employees can’t start work until their check has come back.
What staff must disclose. The list of information staff must tell you about that could affect their suitability to work with children has been amended.
Allegations of harm. You must tell Ofsted or your childminder agency about allegations of harm, not only serious harm, by anyone living, working or looking after children on the premises, within 14 days.
People living on domestic premises. Group framework only: childcare on domestic premises must notify Ofsted or the childminder agency of changes to people aged 16 or over living or working there, as childminders already do.
Level 2 English. The early years qualifications document was updated to clarify the Level 2 English requirements.

DfE also made minor wording changes to make existing requirements clearer. Read both versions on the EYFS framework page.

Your checklist

Brief your team on the new sleep wording, and check every baby under 12 months sleeps in a cot
Read the screen use guidance and write down your approach
Check whether any banned dog breed is ever on your premises
Make sure every volunteer has an enhanced DBS check, and no new starter begins before theirs arrives
Update what you ask staff to disclose, and your safeguarding policy’s wording on allegations of harm
Change policy references from the 2024 or 2025 EYFS to the September 2026 frameworks, and re-date them

What to update on your website

The EYFS says you must share your policies and procedures and how you deliver the EYFS with parents. If your website does that, it now needs to match what you do:

Policies page. Upload the updated sleep, safeguarding and recruitment policies, each with this term’s date.
A day with you. Describe naps the way you now do them: cots for babies, who checks on sleeping children and how often.
Screen use. A short line on whether and how children use screens with you. Parents are asking, after DfE’s guidance for families in March 2026.
Old framework references. Search your site for “EYFS 2024” or “EYFS 2025” and update them.

Not sure what else should be there? See what a nursery website must include, or run through our website checklist.

Questions

When did the new EYFS framework come into force?

On 1 September 2026. DfE published both versions, for childminders and for group and school-based providers, on 13 July 2026.

What are the main EYFS changes for September 2026?

Safer sleep requirements written into the framework, a duty to have regard to DfE’s screen use guidance, a ban on childcare where a banned dog breed is present, enhanced DBS checks for all volunteers, no new staff starting before their check, and reporting allegations of harm rather than only serious harm.

Did the learning and development requirements change?

No. DfE’s explanatory note says no changes were made to the learning and development requirements in sections 1 and 2. The changes are to the safeguarding and welfare requirements in section 3.

Do I need to update my nursery’s policies?

Most settings will need to update their sleep, safeguarding, recruitment and any screen use policies, and change references from older EYFS versions to the September 2026 frameworks.

Do I need to change my website for the new EYFS?

There’s no rule that says so directly, but the EYFS says you must share your policies and how you deliver the EYFS with parents. If your website shows policies, sleep routines or an old framework date, update them so parents see what you actually do now.

Sources

Changes to the EYFS framework from 1 September 2026, DfE, Help for early years providers
EYFS statutory framework, GOV.UK (versions dated 13 July 2026, effective 1 September 2026)
The Childcare (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2026, explanatory note
Ofsted’s enforcement policy: summary of changes, September 2026

Want your website brought up to date?

Send us your setting’s name. Within two working days we’ll tell you what on your current site is out of date and what we’d change. Free, and no sales call unless you ask for one.

Get a free website check