EYFS 2026 Safeguarding Updates: How Early Years Providers Can Build Confidence, Compliance and Capacity Through Apprenticeships

EYFS 2026 Safeguarding Updates: How Early Years Providers Can Build Confidence, Compliance and Capacity Through Apprenticeships 

From 1 September 2026, updates to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework will introduce strengthened safeguarding and welfare requirements for early years providers across England. These changes reinforce the importance of safeguarding leadership, safer recruitment, staff suitability checks, safer sleep practices, attendance monitoring and ensuring safeguarding is fully embedded into everyday practice.  

For nursery managers, designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) and early years practitioners, the challenge is to ensure staff have the confidence, knowledge and skills to recognise concerns, follow procedures correctly and help create a culture where children are always kept safe. 

What do the EYFS 2026 updates mean for your setting? 

The updated framework places greater emphasis on safeguarding responsibilities across the whole organisation, with expectations around: 

• Enhanced suitability and criminal record checks for staff and volunteers 

• Stronger safer recruitment practices 

• Updated safer sleep requirements 

• New expectations relating to children's screen use 

• Clear safeguarding procedures and reporting processes 

• Effective safeguarding leadership and support for practitioners.  
   

Perhaps most importantly, the framework no longer focuses solely on training delivery; it focuses on how practitioners are supported to put safeguarding learning into practice. 

Developing safeguarding skills through apprenticeships 

As safeguarding responsibilities become increasingly complex and require more than annual updates of compliance-based e-learning, investing in workforce development can support early years providers strengthen compliance while building confidence across their teams. 

The Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer apprenticeship has been designed to develop professionals who can support and strengthen safeguarding systems, triage concerns, undertake initial risk assessments and maintain accurate records within an organisation. 

Learners develop skills in: 

• Safeguarding legislation, policies and procedures 

• Recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns 

• Risk assessment and decision-making 

• Record keeping and information sharing 

• Multi-agency working 

• Supporting safeguarding processes and colleagues 

• Professional judgement and reflective practice. 
   

These skills align closely with the requirements outlined throughout Section 3 of the new EYFS framework. 

Significant savings through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding apprenticeships is that everyone must complete the full programme duration and funding value. 

In reality, most early years settings already have staff with substantial safeguarding experience and prior learning. Designated safeguarding leads, deputy DSLs, nursery managers, room leaders and experienced practitioners often possess existing knowledge and competence in areas such as: 

• Child protection procedures 

• Recording and reporting concerns 

• Safer recruitment awareness 

• Prevent duty responsibilities 

• Information sharing 

• Multi-agency working 

• Safeguarding legislation and guidance. 
   

This existing knowledge can be recognised through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. 

Where significant prior learning is identified, apprenticeship funding and programme duration can be reduced in line with apprenticeship funding rules. This ensures that learners are not repeating learning they already know and enables training to focus on genuine new knowledge, skills and behaviours that add value to both the individual and the organisation. 

For many early years settings, this creates an opportunity to upskill safeguarding staff in a cost-effective way while still achieving a nationally recognised qualification. 

Learning delivered by safeguarding specialists 

At Total People, we understand that safeguarding is most effective when learning can be applied directly in the workplace. 

Our Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer apprenticeship includes safeguarding webinars delivered by our own Designated Safeguarding Lead, alongside support from our specialist Learning Coaches. This provides learners with opportunities to explore real-world safeguarding scenarios, current guidance and practical challenges faced by safeguarding professionals. 

By combining expert support with workplace-based learning, apprentices can build the confidence needed to contribute effectively to safeguarding practice within their setting. As part of practical learning, apprentices are encouraged to explore:  

• Real safeguarding challenges 

• Professional judgement and decision-making 

• Escalation processes 

• Effective referrals 

• Risk management 

• Multi-agency collaboration 

• Developing safeguarding cultures within organisations. 
   

This approach helps bridge the gap between compliance and effective safeguarding practice. 

Investing in safer futures 

Safeguarding is about more than meeting statutory requirements. It is about creating environments where children are safe, staff are confident and concerns are acted upon quickly and appropriately. 

As the EYFS framework continues to evolve, developing knowledgeable and capable safeguarding professionals is becoming increasingly important for early years providers. 

The Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer apprenticeship offers a practical and funded way to strengthen safeguarding capability, support workforce development and help your organisation prepare for the latest EYFS requirements. 

Interested in strengthening safeguarding expertise within your setting? Contact Total People today to find out more about the Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer apprenticeship and available funding opportunities.