Announcements

These are the announcements for the last six months.

02 April 2026: Release 1.8.0

Features:

  • Local authority map search - find and view all providers within a specific local authority's boundaries
  • Accessible data table view - view map layer information in an accessible table format with the ability to select and navigate between different areas
  • Advanced search functionality - pre-filter the map before searching to show only childcare, primary-age, or secondary-age providers

Improvements:

  • New subtitle information - popups now include age range and childcare subtype to help identify suitable providers
  • Removed blue fill from search radius - the search radius is now indicated by a blue outline only

12 March 2026: Release 1.7.0

Features:

  • Mobile-optimised popup redesign - popups now appear below the map for improved usability on mobile devices
  • Postcode search results page displaying all postcodes matching partial search terms
  • Fuzzy matching on provider search to find providers even with spelling variations or typos

Improvements:

  • Added 'clear all' button to quickly reset all selected filters and overlays
  • Package upgrade to Django 5.2.11
  • Added school website links to provider information
  • Updated childcare terminology to explicitly state 'registered childcare'
  • Search bar now generates specific URLs with provider or postcode details instead of generic map links
  • 'Search this area' button only shows after the map has been moved

18 February 2026: Release 1.6.0

Features:

  • Announcements page to keep users informed of updates and improvements
  • Popup redesign - snapped to top right corner with default distance changed to 1 mile
  • Added new data layers to the map view for area insights

Improvements:

  • Added feedback survey to Beta banner
  • Changed colour of provider pin when displayed in my list
  • Selected provider pin now appears larger than unselected pins on the map
  • Package upgrades including Django upgraded to 5.2.10
  • Added search term display to the provider results page
  • Included childminders, FES and independent schools in "why no providers found" message
  • Accessibility improvements to the report card popup
  • Refined language provider count and data layer descriptions on the map page

Bug fixes:

  • Fixed search bar button alignment on the map page
  • Updated FSM and IDACI data handling following database field type changes

Data updates since last release:

  • Elective home education publication
  • Pupil attendance (termly) updated to autumn term 2025 data

30 January 2026: Release 1.5.4

Bug fixes:

  • Fix for search returning incorrect provider type when EY providers and schools share the same URN

29 January 2026: Release 1.5.3

Improvements:

  • Change 'Add to my list' button colour to show when a provider is saved
  • Make the map page easier to navigate using only a keyboard
  • Update the title of the further education and skills destinations table
  • Increase contrast of map overlay boundaries for better visibility
  • Automatically scroll to the top when navigating between pages in list view
  • Improve accessibility of breadcrumb navigation for screen readers
  • Add early years obesity data information to the Methodology page

Bug fixes:

  • Fix display of childcare register inspection data for inspections before September 2019
  • Correct search bar text when accessing the site via direct URLs

13 January 2026: Release 1.5.2

Improvements:

  • Performance improvement to postcode search functionality

09 January 2026: Release 1.5.1

Features:

  • Add banner showing the date when Ofsted data was last updated

08 January 2026: Release 1.5.0

Features:

  • Add direct links to postcode search and childcare overlays for quicker access
  • Create dedicated search results page for provider searches
  • Display all early years providers (pre-schools and nursery schools) when filtering by either type

Improvements:

  • Default to postcode search with no option pre-selected, making it easier to start a new search
  • Improve consistency and accessibility of buttons, links and headings across the site
  • Make Ofsted report card links more descriptive and accessible
  • Add search engine descriptions to help users find the service

19 December 2025: Release 1.4.0

Features:

  • Renewed EIF popups

Improvements:

  • Expand map pin filters by default
  • Separate data and provider count map overlays
  • New design for search this area button
  • Include place name, postcode and URN in search string
  • Show all providers in search dropdown
  • Group related filters together to improve navigation for screen reader users
  • Add descriptive labels to postcode search pins for improved accessibility

Bug fixes:

  • Alternative provision name change fixes

05 December 2025: Release 1.3.1

Improvements:

  • Added tests and documentation
  • Update Django to v. 4.2.27
  • Update fonttools to v. 4.61.0

03 December 2025: Release 1.3.0

Features:

  • Render 403 page on CSRF failure
  • Include additional unit tests in our CI pipeline
  • Update Methodology page for 2025 IDACI data
  • Indicate the number of providers shown in the list view on the Map page (e.g. providers 11–20 of 100)
  • Automatically add the 'All childcare providers' overlay when filtering to childcare pins to show the whole provision landscape, unless an overlay is already applied
  • Show a link to childcare providers on FAIR in the pop-up and list view

Bug fixes:

  • Increase the map boundaries to allow some coastal areas to FlyTo correctly
  • Remove 'Welcome to' from the home page
  • Improve use of header tags for accessibility
  • Include mention of childcare providers in Guidance page
  • Fix 'Back to top of section' links
  • Improve consistence and accessibility of links that open in new tabs
  • Centre the position of the pop-up
  • Encompass the main content of all pages within the
    tag consistently, to improve accessibility
  • Remove unneeded copyright page
  • Resolve issues with soft 404 pages