New EYFS rules on safer sleep, screens and banned dogs now in force

Updated early years foundation stage (EYFS) frameworks come into force in England today, 1 September 2026, according to the Department for Education (DfE).

There are two frameworks, one for childminders and one for group and school-based providers. The DfE published them in July and says the requirements have not changed since then.

The DfE says the main changes are on safer sleep, screen use and banned dog breeds, along with other safeguarding clarifications.

What the frameworks now say

• Safer sleep: the frameworks set out detailed rules for children under 2. Babies aged 12 months and under must only be placed to sleep in a cot.
• Babies under six months must always have an adult with them in the same room for every sleep. Sleeping children must always be within sight and hearing of staff.
• Screen use: providers must have regard to the screen use guidance on Help for early years providers.
• Dogs: banned dog breeds, including the XL Bully type, must not be kept or present on the premises at any time.
• Vetting: staff, assistants and volunteers must not begin working or volunteering until their enhanced criminal records and barred list check has been received. The group and school-based framework makes an exception for supervised volunteers who only help out occasionally.
• Childminder assistants must be cleared as suitable by Ofsted or their childminder agency, through a suitability letter, before they begin working.
• Allegations: registered providers must tell Ofsted or their childminder agency about allegations of harm, not only serious harm, as soon as reasonably practicable, and always within 14 days.

The DfE says the group and school-based framework now also requires providers of childcare on domestic premises to tell Ofsted or their childminder agency about some changes. These are changes to people aged 16 or over living or working on the premises.

Ofsted has updated its guidance on reporting serious childcare incidents to reflect the change to reporting allegations of harm.

A checklist for your setting

• Talk through your safer sleep procedures with everyone who settles children to sleep, and check cots and bedding against the framework.
• Make sure practitioners have read the NHS advice on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which the frameworks say they must read.
• Check that no new member of staff or volunteer starts before their check has been received.
• Update your safeguarding policy so allegations of harm are reported as soon as reasonably practicable, and always within 14 days.
• Read the screen use guidance as a team and agree how screens are used in your setting.
• Confirm that no banned dog breed is kept or present at your premises.