# The Early Years Foundation Stage (Welfare Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

S.I. 2025/132 · made 6 February 2025

These Regulations amend the Early Years Foundation Stage (Welfare Requirements) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/938) (the “2012 Regulations”). Regulation 2 amends regulation 3(4) of the 2012 Regulations to give effect to a revised “Qualifications Document”, which is the document entitled “Early years qualification requirements and standards” dated 10th February 2025 and published by the Secretary of State on the gov.uk website.

Made under: Childcare Act 2006 (Section 39, Section 43, Section 44, Section 104)

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/early-years-foundation-stage-welfare-requirements-amendment-regulations-2025/pdf/uksi_20250132_en.pdf; UK Explanatory Memorandum https://openlegislation.uk/early-years-foundation-stage-welfare-requirements-amendment-regulations-2025/pdf/uksiem_20250132_en_001.pdf

## Introductory text

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS, ENGLAND
Made 6th February 2025
Laid before Parliament 10th February 2025
Coming into force 3rd March 2025
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 39(1)(b), 43(1), 44(1) and 104(2) of the Childcare Act 2006.
In accordance with section 43(2) of the Childcare Act 2006, the Secretary of State has consulted His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills and other appropriate persons.

## 1 Citation, commencement and extent

These Regulations—
(a) may be cited as the Early Years Foundation Stage (Welfare Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2025,
(b) come into force on 3rd March 2025, and
(c) extend to England and Wales.

## 2 Amendment of the Early Years Foundation Stage (Welfare Requirements) Regulations 2012

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (Welfare Requirements) Regulations 2012, in regulation 3(4), for “8th December 2023” substitute “10th February 2025”.

## Signature

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Early Education)
6th February 2025
Department for Education

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Early Years Foundation Stage (Welfare Requirements) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/938) (the “2012 Regulations”). Regulation 2 amends regulation 3(4) of the 2012 Regulations to give effect to a revised “Qualifications Document”, which is the document entitled “Early years qualification requirements and standards” dated 10th February 2025 and published by the Secretary of State on the gov.uk website.
The Qualifications Document specifies qualifications and training requirements to be met by early years providers (other than early years childminders) required by section 40 of the Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21) to comply with the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework. The changes made to the Qualifications Document are the first part of the introduction of the experience-based route for early years practitioners to gain status to work at level 3 within staff:child ratios, which are set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework for group and school-based providers.
These documents are available on the gov.uk website at these links: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2 and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-qualification-requirements-and-standards.
A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available on the legislation.gov.uk website. Hard copies of these documents can be viewed at the Department for Education, Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BT.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/132 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/early-years-foundation-stage-welfare-requirements-amendment-regulations-2025
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.