From September 2025, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework introduces a significant change for nurseries in England: apprentices, students on placement, and some other staff can only be included in staff-to-child ratios if they hold a valid Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate. Without first aid training, they may still work in your setting, but only as supernumerary staff.
This update is designed to improve safety in early years settings but has clear implications for nursery staffing, training budgets, and workforce planning.
What the EYFS 2025 Change Means for Apprentices
Previously, apprentices and students could sometimes count in ratios if supervised, even without a first aid certificate. From September 2025:
- Apprentices (16+) and students or volunteers (17+) must hold a current PFA qualification to be included in ratios.
- Level-2 or level-3 staff who qualified after June 2016 must gain a PFA certificate within three months of starting employment.
- Staff without PFA can still work in nurseries but will not count towards the mandatory EYFS staff-to-child ratios.
Why Nurseries Must Take Action
This change strengthens safeguarding but may create operational challenges for early years providers. Key considerations:
- Staffing Ratios – Apprentices without PFA cannot be ratio-eligible, meaning nurseries must schedule more qualified staff until training is complete.
- Training Pressure – With thousands of apprentices and early years staff now required to complete PFA, demand for accredited first aid courses will increase. Providers should secure places early.
- Recruitment Impact – Apprenticeships are an essential pipeline for the early years workforce. Clear communication and support will help ensure the new requirement doesn’t discourage new entrants.
- Financial Costs – Training fees, plus staff cover during courses, may add to budget pressures.
How Nurseries Can Prepare for the 2025 EYFS Changes
To remain compliant and avoid ratio shortfalls, nursery managers should:
- Audit Staff Qualifications – Identify who holds PFA, expiry dates, and which apprentices or trainees need training.
- Book Training Early – Schedule paediatric first aid training for apprentices within their first few weeks. Consider group bookings or in-house sessions to save costs.
- Update Staffing Models – Plan for apprentices to be supernumerary until training is complete. Build this into rotas and recruitment planning.
- Allocate Budget – Factor in both course costs and cover staff to attend training.
- Communicate with Parents – Reassure families that all staff counted in ratios are first aid trained in line with EYFS 2025.
Turning Compliance into an Opportunity
Although the EYFS 2025 update may feel like another layer of pressure, it also raises standards across the early years sector. Apprentices who complete paediatric first aid training early in their career will develop confidence and essential skills. For nurseries, the change strengthens safeguarding, enhances professional practice, and builds parental trust.
Final Thoughts
The EYFS 2025 apprentices and staff ratio rule is clear: only staff with paediatric first aid training can be counted in legal staff-to-child ratios. By auditing qualifications, planning training early, and budgeting for the costs, nurseries can stay compliant while supporting apprentices to succeed.
This proactive approach will help settings adapt smoothly to the new requirements, while keeping child safety at the heart of early years education.
