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Latest Early Years News

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We are proud to be the UK's largest childminder organisation and have helped and supported over 80,000 childminders since 2009.

Thank you to all of our members for being part of our community of over 3 million people.

30 hours funding

The Childcare Choices website, which parents use to apply for funding codes, now reflects the Govt 30 hours ‘free’ childcare for babies from 9 months old. You might want to suggest your parents apply for their code early, so any problems can be resolved before the Local Authority provider funding portals open for inputting autumn term data.

Free funding guidance for you

Information on funding guidance, including a sample Funding Policy is now available.

Updated EYFS

We know the wording for the revised EYFS Sept 2025, and we know most of the changes. However, what we do not have is a release date for the updated EYFS document yet. We will, of course, keep members updated. The EYFS Sept 2025 changes are here.

Making tax digital for self-employed

The first set letters from HMRC preparing self-employed people for the introduction of making tax digital have been received by some childminders.
The introduction of MTD is going to be staggered –

From 6 April 2026, for annual gross income of over £50,000 from self-employment and property letting.
From 6 April 2027, for annual gross income of more than £30,000 and up to £50,000 from self-employment and property letting.
From 6 April 2028, for annual gross income of more than £20,000 and up to £30,000 from self-employment and property letting.

If you want to get ahead, the currently available software (some free and some paid) is here.

DfE survery on Space requirements in early years

The DfE are seeking views on options for amending the indoor space requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory frameworks. Complete the survey

Ofsted babies research report

Ofsted’s latest research report focuses on early years provision for babies and young children. Unfortunately, the report has not gone down well with many early years providers because it states that staff qualified to level 4 ‘are more likely to demonstrate a higher level of knowledge and understanding about high-quality education and care from birth than those who hold a lower qualification.’ Many providers believe this is an attempt by Ofsted to somehow justify the DfE decision to open new nurseries in schools. The report is here.

Nutrition guidance

The EYFS Sept 2025 will include a link to new DfE nutrition guidance.
There is further healthy and safe eating guidance on the DfE ‘Help for early years providers’ website.
We have a free webinar planned for July to review the new nutrition guidance.

Managing allergies

The EYFS Sept 2025 will include new requirements for monitoring food allergies and intolerances and awareness of the differences between allergies and intolerances. Providers will also need to be confident about the causes and how to treat anaphylaxis. There is no requirement for a policy. Here is a free Allergy Action Plan.

Food Safety Policy

There is no requirement for a written Food Safety Policy, but members were asking for one to reflect the EYFS Sept 2025 changes, so we have added one to our free childminder policies.

Packed Lunch Policy

The DfE statutory guidance to Local Authorities about changes in funding and the requirement that parents can now insist on sending a packed lunch into the setting, regardless of danger to life due to possible allergies in the food parents provide, led to DfE advising providers to have a written Packed Lunch Policy. You will find a free sample packed lunch policy available on our Childminder Policies page.

Choking

It is important to recognise that choking is mostly silent while gagging (which children can usually manage themselves) is noisy. From Sept 2025 the EYFS will require providers to sit facing the children during mealtimes and monitor for choking (and food sharing which might lead to allergic reactions). The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has released a choking poster which can be shared with parents.

Safe sleep

We are not aware of any changes to the EYFS Sept 2025 in relation to safe sleep. There is no requirement to have a written policy, but you will want to discuss your procedures with parents. The links to NHS safe sleep on the Start for Life website will continue to be signposted in the EYFS.
Lullaby Trust is also calling for better sleep training for early years providers.

Increased prices

ICO membership – now £52 / year.
DBS update service (for those who choose to pay) – now £16 / year.

New safeguarding policies

From Sept 2025 you will need to ensure your Safeguarding Policy is compliant with the EYFS changes. This will mean, for example, updating your Whistleblowing Policy and adding a Safer Recruitment Policy if you intend to take on assistants / staff members. See our free sample Safeguarding Policy.

Safeguarding and inspection

Listening to childminders who have recently been through Ofsted inspections, it is clear that safeguarding is a priority. Inspections are asking multiple safeguarding questions to ensure providers are up to date with the latest requirements and terminology. This safeguarding Q&A from Childcare.co.uk is a useful starting point.

Protective Security and Preparedness Guidance

This guidance on how education settings should prepare for and respond to terrorism and other major incidents has been updated by DfE. It’s mostly for education settings but might be useful to read especially if you live in a high-risk area, for example, in a city centre or on a forces base – read the guidance here.

Working Together to Safeguard Children

This statutory guidance is used by Ofsted during inspections. DfE has released an illustrated version, designed for children, young people and their families. You might want to share it with parents – illustrated version.

Safeguarding Training Changes – EYFS September 2025

The EYFS Sept 2025 will include safeguarding training requirements in Annex C including a requirement to retake training every 2 years, a 1-year refresher advisory and safeguarding training course contents – EYFS changes summary.

We have added 2 webinars on our webinar player which will help you comply with the changes, and more webinars will follow.

Childcare Register

If you are a new childminder registering on the Childcare Register, you will have to do training. This training will depend on the register – both require safeguarding training and an appropriate first aid course.

For the compulsory register (ages 5-8 years) you will need to do a ‘relevant childminding course’ but Ofsted and DfE will not specify the contents of the course. For the voluntary register (ages 8+) you will need to do a level 2 or Common Core skills and knowledge course.

We have added Childcare Register training to our website.

Childcare register paperwork is also available.

Note there is no requirement to do specific training for the early years – you must understand the EYFS and safeguarding and complete a 12-hour paediatric first aid course.

DBS Checks

If you are or want to register as a childminder without domestic premises you should check the DBS requirements which were updated recently – DBS check guidance.

Inclusion Changes

Ofsted has stated that inclusion will be a ‘golden thread’ that runs through all inspections when they introduce their new inspection framework. The inspectorate is currently looking at feedback from their inspection changes consultation and will report back shortly.

Meanwhile you can review your SEND policy and information sharing with parents to ensure you are up to date with latest information.

DfE Early Years SENCO Training

Limited spaces are available on the level 3 SENCO course free from DfE via Best Practice Network – apply here.

DfE has also added a SEND assessment guidance page to their ‘Help for early years providers’ website – SEND guidance.

Free Webinars

Childcare.co.uk continues to offer all early years providers access to free weekly webinars on different subjects. Many webinars are planned following provider feedback.

In September there will be a series of ‘Are you ready for…?’ webinars to support providers with the changes to the EYFS and Ofsted inspection procedures. All webinars are recorded for Childcare.co.uk gold members to watch again.