Choosing a Early years lead practitioner provider: the evidence
Everything an employer needs to shortlist with confidence, on one page: the Department for Education's official 2024/25 achievement rates, the latest Ofsted findings, and verified provider-reported results where official data is suppressed. Compiled by Find a Training Provider; no provider can pay to appear here or change their position. Methodology
The shortlist, on the numbers
Best Practice Network leads the official table at 73.4% achievement against a 57.9% national average for this standard, from 270 learners. A defensible shortlist starts with Best Practice Network, HIT Training, The Childcare Company - then check each profile's Ofsted findings below before you talk to any of them.
| # | Provider | Achievement | Learners | Ofsted (latest) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best Practice Network | 73.4% | 270 | Good |
| 2 | HIT Training | 71.7% | 50 | Good |
| 3 | The Childcare Company | 71.1% | 40 | Good |
| 4 | Hawk Training | 62.8% | 40 | Outstanding |
| 5 | Education Learning Academy | 57.1% | 50 | Good |
| 6 | Eden Training Solutions | 55.3% | 80 | Good |
| 7 | Realise | 54.5% | 80 | Good |
| 8 | Paragon Skills | 50.7% | 70 | Good |
| 9 | Education and Skills Training & Development | 40.9% | 40 | Requires improvement |
| 10 | Busy Bees Education and Training | 40% | 50 | Good |
Achievement rates: DfE published data, 2024/25. Ofsted: latest published inspection - a single grade (Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement, Inadequate) for older inspections; area judgements such as "Strong" or "Expected" for inspections under the renewed framework from November 2025.
No verified provider-reported results for this standard yet. Providers whose official data is suppressed can submit theirs for verification.
Check the claims yourself
- GOV.UK Find Apprenticeship Training - reviews and participation, per provider
- Ofsted reports - read the inspection text, not just the grade
- The Early years lead practitioner standard page - funding band, duration, full provider directory