We are please to see, after almost 3 years of campaigning for change to the Early Years Framework, the Department for Education has implemented change in light of Oliver's preventable death coming into effect on 1st September 2025.

After Oliver tragically passed away in September 2021 from choking on penne pasta at the age of 9 months, we are embracing these changes. These adjustments, effective from September 2025, aim to enhance the safety of our young children in early years settings. The investigations conducted after Oliver's death revealed certain issues that needed to be addressed. This update from the Department of Education will rectify those issues and improve the safety of childcare settings for everyone.
A huge thanks to Laura and the team at @Kent_SCMP Â for their dedicated work over the past 3 years following Oliver's death.
New EYFS wording under ‘Staff:child ratios’ (currently paragraph 3.49 of the group and school-based provider EYFS):
Suitable students on long term placements and volunteers (aged 17 or over) and staff working as apprentices in early education (aged 16 or over) may be included in the ratios at the level below their level of study, if the provider is satisfied that they are competent and responsible and if they hold a valid and current PFA qualification.
New EYFS wording under ‘Paediatric First Aid’ (currently paragraph 3.29 of the group and school-based provider EYFS and paragraph 3.34 of the childminder EYFS):
[Providers/Childminders] are responsible for identifying and selecting a competent training provider to deliver their PFA training. There is no hierarchy in relation to the range of Training Providers who offer Paediatric First Aid training, however those who work under the following bodies are fully regulated: one that is a member of a Trade Body with an approval and monitoring scheme, the Voluntary Aid Societies and those who work under Ofqual Awarding organisations. It may also be helpful to refer to HSE’s guidance about choosing a first aid training provider, which can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis3.htm.
New EYFS wording under ‘Food and drink facilities’ & choking:
• Whilst children are eating there should always be a member of staff in the room with a valid paediatric first aid certificate.
• Before a child is admitted to the setting the [provider/Childminder] must obtain information about any special dietary requirements, preferences, food allergies and intolerances that the child has, and any special health requirements. This information must be shared by the [provider/childminder] with all staff involved in the preparing and handling of food. At each mealtime and snack time [providers/childminders] must be clear about who is responsible for checking that the food being provided meets all the requirements for each child.
• [Providers/Childminders] must have ongoing discussions with parents and/or carers and, where appropriate, health professionals to develop allergy action plans for managing any known allergies and intolerances. This information must be kept up to date by the [provider/childminder] and shared with all staff. [Providers/Childminders] may find it helpful to refer to the BSACI allergy action plan. [Providers/Childminders] must ensure that all staff are aware of the symptoms and treatments for allergies and anaphylaxis, the differences between allergies and intolerances and that children can develop allergies at any time, especially during the introduction of solid foods which is sometimes called complementary feeding or weaning. [Providers/Childminders] may find it useful to refer to the NHS advice on food allergies: Food allergy - NHS (www.nhs.uk) and treatment of anaphylaxis: Anaphylaxis - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
• [Providers/Childminders] must have ongoing discussions with parents and/or carers about the stage their child is at in regard to introducing solid foods, 30 including to understand the textures the child is familiar with. Assumptions must not be made based on age. [Providers/Childminders] must prepare food in a suitable way for each child’s individual developmental needs, working with parents and/or carers to help children move on to the next stage at a pace right for the child. The NHS has some advice [providers/childminders] may find useful to refer to: Weaning - Start for Life - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
• [Providers/Childminders] must prepare food in a way to prevent choking. This guidance on food safety for young children: Food safety - Help for early years providers - GOV.UK (education.gov.uk) includes advice on food and drink to avoid, how to reduce the risk of choking and links to other useful resources for early years settings.
• Babies and young children should be seated safely in a highchair or appropriately sized low chair while eating. Where possible there should be a designated eating space where distractions are minimised.
• Children must always be within sight and hearing of a member of staff whilst eating. Choking can be completely silent therefore it is important for [providers/childminders] to be alert to when a child may be starting to choke. Where possible, [providers/childminders] should sit facing children whilst they eat so they can make sure children are eating in a way to prevent choking and so they can prevent food sharing and be aware of any unexpected allergic reactions.
• When a child experiences a choking incident that requires intervention, providers should record details of where and how the child choked and parents and/or carers made aware. The records should be reviewed periodically to identify if there are trends or common features of incidents that could be addressed to reduce the risk of choking. Appropriate action should be taken to address any identified concerns.
The full consultation and responses from the Government can be found here:
コメント