Improvements:
- Package upgrades
Announcements
These are the announcements for the last six months.
Features:
- Link directly to the local authority map page or context page using its name. For example, to get to the map page use 'explore.ofsted.gov.uk/maps/local-authority/North Northamptonshire/' or to the context page use 'explore.ofsted.gov.uk/local-authorities/Bristol/'.
Improvements:
- Package upgrades
Bug fixes:
- Fix incorrect link to the Information Commissioner's Office UK GDPR Individual rights guide on the Privacy notice.
- Searching for a partial local authority name now takes you to a list of possible matches, not to the first result in the search drop-down.
Improvements:
- Multiple improvements to help with search engine optimisation
- Local authority search results page displaying all that match partial search terms
- Package upgrades
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
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
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
Bug fixes:
- Fix for search returning incorrect provider type when EY providers and schools share the same URN
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
Improvements:
- Performance improvement to postcode search functionality
Features:
- Add banner showing the date when Ofsted data was last updated
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
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
Improvements:
- Added tests and documentation
- Update Django to v. 4.2.27
- Update fonttools to v. 4.61.0
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