🌱 EYFS 2025: What Early Years Practitioners Need to Know

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework continues to be at the heart of early childhood education in the UK. As we move into 2025, there are important updates and reminders that practitioners, nurseries, and schools need to be aware of to ensure compliance — and, most importantly, to provide children with the very best start in life.

📖 A Quick Recap: What is the EYFS?

The EYFS sets the statutory standards for the learning, development, and care of children from birth to 5 years old. It ensures that every child is supported in key areas of development — from communication and language to physical, emotional, and social skills — preparing them for school and beyond.

🔑 Key Updates for 2025

While the core principles of the EYFS remain unchanged, several focus areas are shaping early years practice in 2025:

1. Stronger Emphasis on Communication & Language
   • The latest guidance highlights the critical role of language development in the early years. Practitioners are encouraged to provide richer opportunities for speaking, listening, and interaction.
2. Digital Literacy Awareness
   • With technology becoming part of daily life, the EYFS now recognises the importance of introducing children to safe, age-appropriate digital skills.
3. Wellbeing and Mental Health
   • Following recent research, there is increased focus on supporting children’s emotional regulation and resilience from an early age.
4. Safeguarding Updates
   • Safeguarding remains a cornerstone of the EYFS. 2025 sees continued updates to ensure that practitioners are trained and confident in spotting signs of abuse, neglect, and online risks.
5. Stronger Focus on Inclusive Practice
   • More emphasis is placed on ensuring SEND provision and inclusive strategies so every child can thrive, regardless of their background or abilities.

👩‍🏫 What This Means for Practitioners

For early years staff, managers, and childminders, these updates highlight the need to:

• Stay up to date with training (safeguarding, EYFS refresher courses, CPD).
• Adapt planning and observation to reflect the new areas of emphasis.
• Ensure your setting’s policies are aligned with the latest statutory guidance.
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📚 How Can We Help?

At Stepping Stones Training, we specialise in providing high-quality, accredited courses for early years professionals. Our EYFS 2025 training is designed to:

• Build confidence in delivering the framework.
• Ensure compliance with the latest statutory requirements.
• Equip practitioners with practical tools to support children’s learning and development.

Whether you’re a nursery team, a school, or an individual practitioner, we offer flexible online training tailored to your needs.