Announcements

These are the announcements for the last six months.

27 August 2026: Release 1.11.0

Features:

  • Find independent schools on the map. You can now search for and explore independent schools alongside state-funded schools, including faith schools and special schools

Improvements:

  • Reinstated the further education and skills layer on the map
  • Cleaned up the sitemap by removing generic links
  • Package upgrades

Bug fixes:

  • Fixed an image on the landing page that wasn't loading correctly
  • Breadcrumbs on the map now update dynamically as you navigate
  • Fixed a URL handling issue with trailing slashes

17 August 2026: Release 1.10.5

Improvements:

  • Package upgrades

Bug fixes:

  • Fixed an issue on the local area page charts where duplicate data was showing in cases where the local area is the local authority

06 August 2026: Release 1.10.4

Improvements:

  • New look my favourites! We have changed the design of our 'My favourites' page and now show additional information about your saved providers including extra contact information and opening hours for childcare providers
  • New look 'View as list'. Easily navigate between viewing providers as list or on the map. Includes a redesigned mobile filter view
  • Package updates

Bug fixes:

  • Fixed a problem where the incorrect pin was shown and zoom level was incorrect when using the childcare direct link
  • A couple of issues with the search radius display have been fixed

Data updates since last release:

  • Area SEND inspection outcomes have been updated
  • The DfE Funded early education and childcare publication which covers early years pupil premium and registered and take-up rates has been updated
  • Children with an Education, health and care plan publication from the DfE has been updated

17 July 2026: Release 1.10.3

Bug fixes:

  • Fixed a problem where searching for childcare providers did not show results on the map. Map pins and the search radius now display correctly

16 July 2026: Release 1.10.2

Improvements:

  • Guidance content on local area pages has been updated
  • 'My list' has been rebranded to 'My favourites'

Bug fixes:

  • Fixed pre-school data not appearing in tables on local area pages

Data updates since last release:

  • Suspensions and exclusions data from the DfE has been updated

29 June 2026: Release 1.10.1

Bug fixes:

  • Removal of the further education and skills layer, while a data issue is being investigated. This feature will be reintroduced once the issue has been resolved

25 June 2026: Release 1.10.0

Features:

  • Local area pages provide context for local areas, accessible by searching a postcode or selecting an area from the map popup
  • Childcare providers can now be filtered by subtype e.g. full day care, out-of-school care etc
  • Additionally resourced provision for special educational needs and/or disabilities in mainstream or special schools can now be filtered by type of need
  • Further education and skills delivery locations are now visible as a map layer
  • A banner has been added inviting users to express interest in joining our research panel

Improvements:

  • A frequently asked questions section has been added to the home page
  • Package updates
  • Guidance content has been refreshed

Bug fixes:

  • Corrected a margin sizing issue affecting mid-sized screens
  • Fixed a mis-styled header on the Cookie Policy page
  • Fixed provider popups incorrectly displaying null values in place of years
  • Fixed a pagination issue

Data updates since last release:

  • Suspensions and exclusions data from the DfE has been updated
  • Schools, pupils and their characteristics from the DfE, covering English as an additional language, free school meals eligibility, and ethnicity

05 June 2026: Ordnance Survey service update

We are aware that Ordnance Survey, who provide our map service, are experiencing technical issues. Their technology team is actively investigating and working to restore service as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

18 May 2026: Release 1.9.1

Improvements:

  • Package upgrades

14 May 2026: Release 1.9.0

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.

29 April 2026: Release 1.8.2

Improvements:

  • Multiple improvements to help with search engine optimisation
  • Local authority search results page displaying all that match partial search terms
  • Package upgrades

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