Meet the EYFS requirements for a childcare setting

The rules here are for England.

Which framework applies

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is mandatory for every provider registered on the Early Years Register or with a childminder agency, and for schools that provide early years provision. It covers children from birth to 31 August after their fifth birthday. There are two frameworks: one for group and school-based providers such as nurseries and pre-schools, and one for childminders. The versions that took effect on 1 September 2026 added requirements on safer sleep, regard to guidance on children's screen use, and keeping banned dog breeds off the premises.

The framework has three parts: the learning and development requirements, the assessment requirements, and the safeguarding and welfare requirements. Ofsted can issue actions for any failure to meet a requirement and can serve a welfare requirements notice, which it is an offence to ignore without reasonable excuse. Childminders follow their own framework, which sets different ratio and staffing rules: up to six children under eight at once, of whom no more than three are under five and usually only one is under one.

Teach the seven areas of learning

You must teach and support children across seven areas of learning and development. Three prime areas build the foundation, and four specific areas strengthen them. The framework does not prescribe a teaching approach, and written records of day-to-day observation are not required.

If you are worried about a child's progress in any prime area, you must talk to their parents and agree how to support the child, considering whether they may have a special educational need or disability. For children who speak another language at home, you must make sure they have enough opportunity to reach a good standard of English.

Carry out the required assessments

When a child is between two and three, you must review their progress and give their parents a short written summary of their development in the prime areas. It highlights where the child is doing well and where extra support may be needed, and sets out what you will do about any concern. The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile must be completed for each child in the final term of the year they turn five, no later than 30 June. This is normally done by reception teachers.

Staff to meet the ratios and qualifications

Ratios apply to all the staff available to work directly with children across the whole provision, not room by room. Children must be within sight or hearing of staff at all times, and usually within both. Each child must have a key person, and in settings on the Early Years Register the manager must hold an approved level 3 qualification or above.

You must also make sure staff receive induction training and supervision, and name a deputy who can take charge in the manager's absence.

Meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements

You also need an attendance policy that you share with parents. If you have concerns about a child, tell your local authority children's social care team immediately.

Provide suitable premises

The space standards apply wherever indoor activity in a building is the main part of your provision. Using an outside area does not let you take more children on roll. Children need daily access to an outdoor play area, or planned outdoor activities every day.

Babies and children under two must be put down to sleep on their backs in their own sleep space, and a baby aged 12 months or under must sleep in a cot. Babies under six months must always have an adult in the room for every sleep. You must carry appropriate insurance, such as public liability insurance, for every premises where you provide childcare, and complete risk assessments for your premises and outings.

Keep the records and information you need

For each child you must record their full name, date of birth, parents' names and addresses, who they normally live with and emergency contact details. You must keep a daily record of the names of the children present, their hours of attendance and their key person, and display your registration certificate. Parents must be told how the EYFS is delivered, what food is provided, how staff are organised, who their child's key person is, and how to contact you in an emergency.

You need a written complaints procedure. You must investigate written complaints about the EYFS requirements and tell the person who complained the outcome within 28 days. Tell Ofsted within 14 days, or in advance where practical, about a change of manager, premises, contact details or the people aged 16 or over living or working on domestic premises.