1.1 Explain the welfare requirements and guidance of the relevant early years framework

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Explain the welfare requirements and guidance of the relevant early years framework.

In England, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets out welfare requirements for all providers working with children from birth to age five. These requirements aim to keep children safe, promote wellbeing, and support healthy development. Every setting, whether it is a nursery, childminder, or pre-school, must meet them in full.

The EYFS welfare requirements are legally enforceable. Ofsted inspects settings and checks compliance. Failure to meet them can result in enforcement action, including removal of registration. This is why every worker in early years needs to understand them clearly.

What is the Purpose of Welfare Requirements?

Welfare requirements protect children’s health, safety, and wellbeing. They help ensure that learning and play take place within a safe and supportive environment. They also make sure adults caring for children are suitable, trained, and able to meet children’s needs.

The purpose is not only to prevent harm but to promote positive outcomes. Meeting these requirements means giving children the right conditions to thrive emotionally, socially, and physically.

Main Areas of EYFS Welfare Requirements

Suitable People

Every person working directly with children must be suitable. This means they must pass an enhanced DBS check and have the right skills and knowledge to care for children.

Key points include:

• Staff must have appropriate qualifications
• Managers must check identity, references, and criminal record history
• Ongoing supervision and appraisal ensures staff continue to meet required standards

Children depend on safe adults who promote their welfare and learning. Poor recruitment or lack of checks puts children at risk.

Staff-to-Child Ratios

There are clear rules on how many adults must be present per group of children. This affects both safety and quality of interaction.

For example:

• For children under two, one adult to three children
• For two-year-olds, one adult to four children
• For children aged three and over, ratios vary depending on staff qualifications

Maintaining correct ratios allows staff to meet each child’s needs and provide attention. It also ensures that children can be supervised properly at all times.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Providers must have a clear safeguarding policy, and all staff must know how to use it. This involves recognising signs of abuse or neglect and acting swiftly to protect children.

Key safeguarding measures:

• Appointing a designated safeguarding lead
• Training all staff to identify and report concerns
• Following local safeguarding partnership procedures
• Keeping accurate records of concerns and actions taken

Safeguarding is about acting early and appropriately if there are concerns about a child’s welfare.

Health and Medicines

Children’s health must be actively promoted. Providers need policies to deal with illness, accidents, and medication.

This includes:

• Having a first aid trained person available at all times
• Keeping written parental consent for medical treatment
• Recording and storing medicines securely
• Following hygiene routines to reduce infection risk

Settings must act quickly if a child becomes unwell and inform parents without delay. Preventing and managing illness is a core part of keeping children safe.

Food and Drink

The EYFS requires that food and drink provided is healthy, balanced, and meets dietary needs.

Points to follow:

• Fresh drinking water must be available at all times
• Food preparation follows food safety standards
• Special dietary requirements are met, for example allergies or religious needs
• Portion sizes and nutritional content suit the child’s age

Poor nutrition affects health and learning, so meals and snacks must be planned carefully.

Premises, Environment and Equipment

The physical environment must be safe, secure, and suitable for the age group.

Requirements include:

• Cleanliness and maintenance of premises
• Security measures to prevent unauthorised access
• Safe storage of dangerous substances
• Adequate space and light for play and activities

Outdoor areas must be checked daily for hazards. Indoors, furniture and equipment must be kept in good repair to avoid accidents.

Behaviour Management

Children’s behaviour must be managed consistently in a positive way. Workers must promote good behaviour by modelling respect and kindness.

Guidance includes:

• Never using corporal punishment
• Using age-appropriate strategies for supporting behaviour
• Dealing with challenging behaviour calmly and fairly
• Communicating rules and expectations clearly

Behaviour policies should focus on encouraging self-control and cooperation rather than punishment.

Documentation and Records

Certain records must be kept and accessible to Ofsted. This includes contact details for parents, child attendance, accidents, administration of medicine, and staff checks.

These records:

• Show compliance with legal requirements
• Protect staff and children by giving evidence if concerns arise
• Help settings plan and meet individual needs

Accurate, confidential record keeping is a central part of the framework.

Guidance within the EYFS

The EYFS statutory framework does not only set legal requirements. It also offers guidance to help providers meet those requirements in practice.

This guidance covers:

• How to carry out risk assessments
• How to communicate policies to staff and parents
• Best practice for ratios depending on circumstances
• Advice for supporting children with additional needs

While the law states what must be done, the guidance explains how to do it effectively.

Links to Other Legislation

The welfare requirements work alongside other laws. Workers should recognise how these link together.

Relevant laws include:

• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Data Protection Act 2018
• Equality Act 2010

These laws give additional protection for children and responsibilities for workers. For example, the Equality Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against a child because of disability or religion.

Your Role in Meeting Welfare Requirements

Every adult in an early years setting shares responsibility for meeting the welfare requirements.

This means:

• Following policies and procedures every day
• Attending required training sessions
• Reporting concerns immediately to the right person
• Keeping the environment safe and clean
• Working in partnership with parents

It is not enough for management to set policies. Every worker must apply them consistently in their own practice.

Monitoring and Improving Practice

Continuous improvement is part of meeting welfare requirements. Providers must monitor practice and identify areas for change.

Ways to monitor:

• Regular health and safety checks
• Observing interactions between staff and children
• Reviewing accident records to spot patterns
• Asking parents for feedback

When gaps are found, actions are taken straight away. This might be extra training or changes in routines. Improvement keeps standards high and children safe.

Training and Qualifications

Training ensures staff understand welfare requirements and can apply them confidently.

Suggested training topics:

• Paediatric first aid
• Safeguarding
• Food hygiene
• Fire safety
• Prevent duty and promoting British values

Some areas need renewing regularly. For example, first aid must be refreshed every three years. Training records should be kept for inspection.

Parents as Partners

Parents play a central part in meeting welfare needs. Good communication builds trust and supports children’s development.

Working with parents involves:

• Sharing policies and procedures openly
• Asking about a child’s health or special needs
• Informing parents about accidents, illnesses, or progress
• Encouraging parents to share concerns

Partnership working is about respecting parents as the child’s main carers and involving them in decisions.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment identifies potential dangers and finds ways to reduce them.

In practice this means:

• Checking play areas before use
• Blocking access to unsafe areas
• Supervising all activities
• Keeping clear evacuation routes

Risk assessment should cover indoor and outdoor spaces, activities, outings, and equipment. Records of assessments show that hazards have been managed.

Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing

Welfare covers emotional health as well as physical safety. Children need warm, responsive care.

Ways to support emotional wellbeing:

• Showing respect for each child’s feelings
• Offering comfort when a child is upset
• Encouraging positive relationships
• Creating a calm and settled atmosphere

A child who feels safe and valued is more likely to engage and learn.

Clear Policies and Procedures

Policies set out how welfare requirements are met. Procedures explain the steps to follow.

Examples:

• Safeguarding policy with step-by-step reporting guidance
• Accident and incident policy showing how to record and inform parents
• Food safety policy detailing hygiene steps

Policies must be reviewed regularly to reflect changes in law or best practice.

Inspection and Accountability

Ofsted inspects early years providers to check compliance with the EYFS. Inspectors look at welfare requirements as part of their grading process.

Inspection focus:

• Are staff suitable and trained?
• Are ratios followed?
• Are safeguarding measures effective?
• Is the environment safe and well maintained?

Inspection outcomes can affect the setting’s reputation and ability to operate. This makes meeting welfare requirements a daily priority.

Final Thoughts

Welfare requirements in the EYFS give clear rules for keeping children safe and healthy in early years settings. They are not optional. Every adult in the setting is expected to follow them at all times.

Meeting welfare requirements means having good policies, training staff, and creating a safe environment. It also means working closely with parents and acting quickly if there are concerns about a child.

By applying these requirements consistently, you help to protect children from harm, support their development, and give them the best start in life. This benefits not only the children but the families and communities around them.