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
Announcements
These are the announcements for the last six months.
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
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
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
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.
Improvements:
- Package upgrades
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