Safeguarding policies is not just a legal requirement; it is a moral duty to ensure that every child is safe, supported, and able to thrive. Yet, with changes coming into effect in September 2025, settings that do not review and update their safeguarding policies now risk being left behind – and potentially failing compliance. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and your policies must reflect the latest statutory guidance. Here’s what you need to know and do to stay ahead. 

In 2024, Recycle Week focused on rescuing commonly overlooked items like yoghurt pots, aerosol cans, spray bottles, toilet roll tubes, and deodorant bottles - helping reduce “missed capture” rates from 70% to 64%. The theme this year continues with “Rescue Me – Recycle” - a child-friendly campaign that’s fun, practical, and packed with resources that your setting can use for free. 

The EYFS and Safeguarding Policies: Why It Matters

Safeguarding requirements for early years providers are set out in two key pieces of guidance: 

• The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – applies to all early years providers in England and is legally enforceable 
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) – applies to schools and colleges, including maintained nursery schools, but is also a useful reference for all providers when reviewing safeguarding policies and training 

Both these documents are updated regularly. The new 2025 EYFS introduces several important safeguarding changes that settings must implement by 1 September 2025. We covered these in our July magazine. Here’s a recap.  

Safer recruitment 

Every setting must have clear procedures to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children and your safeguarding policy must specifically outline how references are taken up for all roles. These checks should be robust, documented, and completed before the individual starts work. 

Persistent absence protocols 

Settings must have a process to identify, follow up and record their actions on persistent absences. This includes maintaining at least two emergency contacts for every child and acting promptly if a child is absent without explanation.  

Safeguarding training 

Your policy must outline how safeguarding training is delivered and how staff are supported to apply it in practice. The EYFS expects all staff to understand their safeguarding responsibilities and be confident in recognising and reporting concerns. 

Safer eating practices 

There is an increased emphasis on supervision and safety during mealtimes. This includes preventing choking risks, managing allergies effectively, and ensuring staff are aware of children’s dietary needs. 

Privacy during nappy changing and toileting 

Your policy should explain how privacy and dignity are maintained during personal care routines, such as nappy changes and toileting in line with safeguarding principles. 

Whistleblowing procedures 

Settings must now provide clear routes for staff to raise concerns about colleagues’ behaviour or safeguarding practice. You should have a whistleblowing policy which should reassure staff that concerns will be taken seriously and that they are protected from negative consequences. 

Paediatric First Aid (PFA) for trainees 

From September, students and trainees will only count in staff-to-child ratios if they hold a valid PFA certificate.  

KCSIE 2025 – implications for early years 

While KCSIE primarily applies to schools and colleges, maintained nursery schools must comply fully, and it is useful for other settings to align with its standards. The 2025 edition (effective 1 September) introduces the following updates relevant to early years: 

• Online safety risks broadened: Providers should now explicitly consider risks from misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories, alongside the existing focus on cyberbullying, grooming, and harmful content 
• Safer recruitment in alternative provision: If you place children with external providers (e.g. for specialist activities such as Forest School), you must obtain written confirmation that they have carried out all required safeguarding checks on their staff 
• Technology planning: Maintained nursery schools are encouraged to use the DfE’s “Plan technology for your school” self-assessment tool to strengthen online safety infrastructure 

Other key statutory guidance to be aware of 

A truly robust safeguarding policy will also reflect the requirements and principles in other national documents, including: 

• Working Together to Safeguard Children  
• Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (England) 
• The Prevent Duty Guidance (England and Wales) 
• Working Together to Improve School Attendance (England) 
• UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018  

Including these in your policy review ensures you are not only compliant with the EYFS and KCSIE, but also aligned with the wider statutory safeguarding environment. 

The role of the DSL 

Every setting must have a named Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who has undergone specific training. Their role includes: 

• Leading on policy updates and ensuring compliance 
• Acting as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns 
• Liaising with the local authority and other safeguarding partners 
• Ensuring all staff receive appropriate safeguarding training and refreshers 

DSLs should now be scheduling policy reviews, arranging training sessions, and ensuring that safeguarding is discussed regularly at staff meetings. 

Reviewing your safeguarding policies – step by step 

It is best practice to review and update your safeguarding policy annually. This can be daunting, but breaking things down into small steps can help.  

1. Check safeguarding policies against statutory requirements

Compare your current policies with the updated EYFS 2025, KCSIE 2025, and the other guidance above. Identify gaps, then address and update your policies accordingly. 

2. Update procedures/protocols 

Make sure you also update any recruitment, absence management, online safety, Prevent, and personal care procedures/protocols to reflect the latest expectations. 

3. Involve the whole team 

Safeguarding is not just the responsibility of the DSL. All staff, from practitioners to admin teams and lunchtime supervisors, need to understand the policies and what to do. 

4. Refresh training 

Organise staff training sessions before or at the beginning of September so that everyone is confident about the changes and how to implement them. Keep records of attendance and key learning points, and offer catch-up training with any absentees.  

5. Communicate with families 

Share a summary of your safeguarding expectations with parents/carers. This can help explain why certain procedures, such as absence follow-ups, are being strengthened. You could also create a safeguarding newsletter to pass on to parents/carers at regular intervals.  

Common Safeguarding Pitfalls That Risk Non-Compliance

Even experienced settings can sometimes stumble on safeguarding compliance. The most common issues flagged in inspections include: 

• Out-of-date policies: Policies that have not been updated to reflect new legislation or changes in staff responsibilities 
• Gaps in staff training: Staff not knowing the current DSL or how to escalate concerns 
• Incomplete recruitment checks: Starting staff before all references and DBS checks are complete 
• Weak absence follow-up: No formal process for tracking and responding to persistent absences 
• Inconsistent practice: Procedures are written in a policy but not actually followed in day-to-day work 

Safeguarding is not optional. It is fundamental to all early years practice. Being proactive now will avoid problems and demonstrate that safeguarding is embedded in your culture and daily work, ensuring that no child ‘slips through the cracks’.