From 1 September 2025, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) isn’t just evolving it’s being reshaped. With new government mandates, major funding boosts, and national priorities like child health and climate leadership now written into statutory guidance, the early years workforce must be ready to adapt.
At Willing Care, staying ahead of change isn’t just our job it’s our promise. As new EYFS requirements come into force, we’re here to help settings find the skilled professionals they need to meet the moment and to help passionate practitioners thrive in this next chapter.
Safeguarding on Steroids: EYFS Just Got Tougher
The updated safeguarding requirements landing in September aren’t tweaks they’re a transformation.
Highlights include:
A formal shift to Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) roles
Thorough recruitment and referencing procedures
Clearer whistleblowing protocols and mandatory paediatric first aid training
These changes are designed to reinforce child safety in every corner of a setting. At Willing Care, we aim to work only with providers who meet these standards not just on paper, but in practice. And we represent candidates who are DSL-ready, vigilant, and values-led.
Food Hygiene Isn’t Just Mum’s Mantra Anymore—It’s EYFS Law
From September, nutrition guidance becomes statutory under the EYFS framework. That means every setting must follow detailed standards for food safety, balanced meals, cultural inclusivity, and responsive feeding especially or babies and toddlers.
Key expectations include:
Weekly menus with varied, nutritious meals across four food groups
Clear allergy management and food hygiene practices
Transparent communication with families
Appropriate portion sizes and drink guidelines (it’s water and milk only!)
The Early Years team at Wiling Care works with nurseries that embed nutrition into daily practice and professionals who understand how food fuels wellbeing, development, and inclusion.
The DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy (2022–2030) now directly influences EYFS expectations. That means early years settings are being called to model eco-conscious practice and recruit accordingly.
Willing Care prioritises nurseries that share our views on the following :
Building climate resilience into their infrastructure
Use nature-based learning to teach sustainability
Actively reduce carbon and improve access to green space
We recruit educators who can lead on sustainability not just recycle in the corner.
The 2025 EYFS reforms aren’t just regulatory they’re visionary. They raise the bar for child safety, nutrition, environmental responsibility, and access to early education.
At Willing Care, this isn’t new it’s what we’ve always stood for. We work with providers who lead, not lag. We champion professionals who meet these higher standards because they believe in them.
We know what’s coming. And we’re already helping the sector rise to meet it.
📣Need staff who are safeguarding-smart, sustainability-savvy, and nutrition-literate? 📣Looking for a role in a future-focused setting?
Willing Care is your next step. Let’s move forward—together.
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