Safer recruitment in early years: EYFS requirements
What the EYFS framework asks nurseries, pre-schools and childminders to check before anyone starts, and how to get the reference part done quickly.
What does safer recruitment in early years involve?
Safer recruitment in early years means checking that everyone who looks after children is suitable before they start. Under the EYFS framework, group providers must obtain at least one written reference for every member of staff, including students and volunteers, and an enhanced criminal records and barred list check before the person begins work. RefAssure collects the written references and keeps a signed audit trail.
What the EYFS framework requires
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, published by the Department for Education, sets the safeguarding and welfare requirements for registered early years providers in England. There are two versions: one for group and school-based providers, and one for childminders. The versions in force from 1 September 2026 include these safer recruitment points.
Suitable people
- Providers must make sure people looking after children are suitable, hold the relevant qualifications and training, and have passed the required checks. Qualifications must be verified.
- Group and school-based providers must obtain an enhanced criminal records check and barred list check for every person aged 16 and over who works directly with children, or lives or works on the premises where childcare is provided. This includes volunteers, apart from supervised volunteers who help out occasionally.
- Providers must not let anyone begin working or volunteering until the enhanced criminal records and barred list check has been received.
- An additional criminal records check should be made for anyone who has lived or worked abroad.
- Staff must be told to disclose anything that may affect their suitability, such as arrests, charges, convictions or cautions, other than protected ones.
References
Group providers must obtain at least one written reference for any member of staff, including students and volunteers, before they are recruited. Childminders must obtain at least one written reference for any assistants they recruit.
Records and policy
Providers must record staff qualifications, identity checks, vetting processes and references completed, including the criminal records check reference number, the date it was obtained and who obtained it. Safeguarding policies must include the procedures you follow to check the suitability of new recruits.
How EYFS says to take up references.
The framework lists what providers should do when collecting references. These are the points that commonly trip settings up.
Ask the referee directly
Do not rely on the applicant to obtain the reference, and do not accept open "to whom it may concern" letters.
The right referee
From the current employer, training provider or education setting, completed by a senior person. Never a family member.
Last work with children
If the applicant is not working with children now, get a reference from the last employer where they did.
Check what comes back
Make sure electronic references come from a legitimate source, clarify vague answers and compare them with the application form.
Reason for leaving
Establish why the applicant left their current or most recent post, and resolve any concerns before confirming the appointment.
Gaps in employment
Where the applicant is not currently employed, verify their most recent relevant period of employment.
References that come back before the start date.
Nursery recruitment often runs against ratios and a fixed start date. RefAssure sends the request in minutes and chases referees for you.
- Requests go straight to the referee, never through the applicant
- Candidate consent collected online, with signature, first
- Add a suitability to work with children question to your template once
- Median turnaround about 23 hours across 229 completed references
Chased for you, day by day.
5 emails and up to 2 texts over 12 days, stopping the moment the referee replies.
Early years safer recruitment questions
More in the full FAQs.
How many references does a nursery need under EYFS?
The EYFS framework for group providers says at least one written reference for every member of staff, including students and volunteers, before they are recruited. Many settings ask for two, so they hear from more than one employer.
Can a new nursery worker start before their DBS comes back?
Not under the framework in force from 1 September 2026. Providers must not let individuals begin working or volunteering until they have received the enhanced criminal records and barred list check. Our DBS checks guide explains the levels.
Who checks childminders and their assistants?
Ofsted, or the childminder agency the childminder is registered with, completes suitability checks of the childminder, assistants and people aged 16 or over living or working on the premises. Childminders must still obtain at least one written reference for any assistant they recruit.
Does KCSIE apply to nurseries?
Schools must have regard to KCSIE, including their early years classes. Other early years providers follow the EYFS framework, though it says they may find KCSIE helpful to read. See our KCSIE reference checking page.
What should a reference for an early years practitioner ask?
Whether the referee is satisfied the applicant is suitable to work with children, the facts of any substantiated safeguarding concerns that met the harm threshold, dates, role and reason for leaving. Our free reference template is a good starting point.
What does RefAssure cost a small nursery?
Your first reference is free with no card. After that, 10 credits cost £9.99, with no monthly fee and credits that never expire. See pricing.
Related guides
Safer recruitment, less paperwork.
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