Lots for Tots Awards 2026
A Night of Stars and Recognition
The Lots for Tots Awards Night 2026 is set to be an unforgettable evening celebrating the exceptional businesses and individuals who make a difference in the lives of families across Derbyshire.
The night is a black-tie evening of recognition, celebration, networking and live entertainment at the stunning Burton Albion Football Club.
Event Details:
- Date: 16th May 2026
- Time: 18:00
- Location: Burton Albion Football Club
Our Finalists
Session Leader of the Year
Emily – Chipmunk Music
Nikki – Moo Music
Kath – TinyTalk Derbyshire
Siobhan – Early Movers
Shelagh – Boogie Woogie Babes
Customer Excellence of the Year
Derby LIVE
Ivy Rose
Pregnancy to Parenthood Derby
Electric Daisy
Buxton Opera House
Baby Class of the Year
Tots Play Swadlincote
Little Glow Burton and Swadlincote
Bright Beginnings
Baby Sparks Derby East
The Little Cubs Sensory Hub
Event and Party Services of the Year
Moo Music Burton & Ashbourne
The Play Village
Splat Messy Play Derby
Little Play Party Company
Our Dreams Events
Toddler Class of the Year
Twistin Tots
Beat Feet Academy of Dance
Kidslingo South Derbyshire and Burton
Moo Music Burton & Ashbourne
Rosie Leas dance academy (RLDA)
Charity of the Year
Friends of the Baby Unit
Breastfeeding Network Derbyshire
Infinite Wellbeing C.I.C.
Sam’s Superheroes Foundation
Connected Perinatal Support CIC
Family Photographer of the Year
Georgia Emily Photography
Shots by Maz
Little Boo Photography
Arcadia Photographic
Elena Niculae Photography
Behind the Scenes Star
Belle Pickles – Messy Play
Martin Stephens – Weston on Trent Primary School
Clair Goodwin – Springfield Primary School
Freya Joyce – SoccerstarsUK
Steph – Connected Perinatal Support CIC
Independent Business of the Year
Little Used
The Birth Shed
EverlyRosePrints
Tiddlekicks
The Olive Branch Toy Shop
Local Family Attraction of the Year
Calke Abbey National Trust
The Mug Tug Ashore
Buxton Opera House
Hero Town
Clip n climb derby
Volunteer of the Year
Karen Clements – Breastfeeding Network Derbyshire
Nicola Foss – Connected Perinatal Support
Ciselyn Alexander – Connected Perinatal Support
Bethany Mott – Hilton Mum and Tots
Ann-Marie McMillan – BELPER COMMUNITY HALL
Sports and Physical Activity provider of the Year
Wendy Bates School of Dancing
Puddleducks Derbyshire
RS Coaching
Infinity Dance Academy
Tiddlekicks
Preschool Education Provider of the Year
Shardlow Hall Day Nursery
Aston on Trent Preschool
Bramble Brook Pre School CIO
Scallywags Nursery
Mickleover Methodist Preschool
Primary Age Education Provider of the Year
Cherry Tree Hill Primary School
Springfield Primary School
Weston on Trent Primary School
Emmanuel School
Riddings Infant and Nursery School
Early Years Educator of the Year
Victoria Fleet – Weston on Trent Primary School
Lisa Kamillo – Riddings Infant and Nursery School
Gemma Snowdon – Emmanuel School
Dora Eleftheriou – Derby High School
Rachel Liddell – Aston on Trent Pre School
Family Support Service Provider of the Year
Midwife Amie
Wellbeing Wise Derby
Sleep Nurse UK
Nest & Nurture – Bump, Birth & Beyond
Lunar Mind Therapeutic Services
Lots For Tots Readers Choice
Friends of the Baby Unit
Moo Music Derby
Beat Feet Academy of Dance.
Derby LIVE
SoccerstarsUK
The Public’s Business of the Year
Messy Play
The Olive Branch Toy Shop
Derbion
Ilam Park National Trust
Derby LIVE
Local Family Food Retailer of the Year
Darcy’s Fish and Chips
Blossoms Play Cafe
Compamigos
Morley Hayes
Franchisee of the Year
Baby Sparks Derby West
Messy Play Derby East
Baby Sensory Burton and Moira
TinyTalk Derby North
Lingotot Matlock
Our Awards Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship of the awards – £65
A brilliant opportunity for local businesses to be celebrate success and the wonderful children focused businesses across Derbyshire, whilst gaining great business promotion.
Award sponsors will receive the following:
- Business name (with weblink) on the Awards web page
- Business Name included on trophy
- Inclusion on Nominations Blogs
- Included on relevant award documents
- Post of social media about the award sponsorship and in further social media posts based on the awards
Headline Sponsor – £250
Headline sponsors will receive the following:
- Business name (with weblink) on the Awards web page along with premium listing advert on the Lots for Tots website.
- Inclusion on awards 2025 logo
- Inclusion on Nominations Blogs
- Included on relevant award documents and stationary
- Post of social media about the award sponsorship and in further social media posts based on the awards
- Two Tickets to the awards night
- Sponsorship of x2 awards
Advertising Opportunities
For more details, sponsorship inquiries, or to book your tickets, please contact:
Event Coordinator: Beth Wheatley
Email: info@lotsfortots.co.uk
Phone: 07563 145 926
Key dates
Nominations:
- Opens on Monday 24th November 2025 – 9am
- Closes on Monday 15th December 2025– 9am
Voting:
- Opens on Wednesday 17th December 2025 – 9am
- Closes on Wednesday 21th January 2026– 9am
Finalist will be announced on Wednesday 28th January 2026.
Voting reopens for those categories – 4th February – 9am – closes again on the 18th March – 9am.
(shortlisted businesses must submit their supporting information by 18th February)
Judges decisions made by 18th March – 5pm.
Award Categories
Session leader of the year
Open to any individual activity leader, teacher or coach providing children’s activities operating in Derbyshire.
Family photographer of the year
Open to anyone who specialises in family, new parents, newborn, or pregnancy photography operating in Derbyshire.
Baby class of the year (birth to walking)
Open to any company or organisation with a separate programme specifically for children from birth to walking operating in Derbyshire.
Toddler class of the year (walking to preschool)
Open to any company or organisation with a separate programme specifically for children from walking to preschool age operating in Derbyshire.
Customer excellence of the year
Open to any customer facing business within the children's sector operating in Derbyshire.
Event and party services of the year
Open to any party supplier, provider or entertainment company specialising in children's and families parties operating in Derbyshire.
Charity of the year
Open to any not-for-profit focusing on supporting, children or families from pregnancy to children of primary age Must be a registered Charity or Community Interest Group operating in Derbyshire.
Independent business of the year
Open to any small business operating in the children's sector in Derbyshire.
Local Family attraction of the year
Open to any family attraction operating in Derbyshire.
Preschool education provider of the year
Open to any private or mainstream education provider with preschool aged pupils operating in Derbyshire.
Primary age education provider of the year
Open to any private or mainstream education provider with primary aged pupils operating in Derbyshire.
Family support service provider of the year
Open to anyone who offers a support service to families at any stage of parenting from antenatal through to end of primary school. This is for those businesses who offer a families service that is personalised and tailored operating in Derbyshire.
Sports or physical activity provider of the year
Open to any company or organisation with a significant part of their programme based on physical activity operating in Derbyshire.
The Public’s Business of the Year
Open to any company or organisation operating in Derbyshire. This category must be chosen via the public for nominations and voting.
Lots for Tots Readers Choice
Open to any company or organisation who is currently advertising in Lots for Tots Derbyshire Magazine. This category must be chosen via the public for nominations. Businesses cannot nominate themselves for this category. Decision will be made via a mix of Judges decision and public vote.
Volunteer of the Year
Open to anyone who volunteers for a Charity or Not for Profit across Derbyshire. Person must be nominated directly by the charity or not for profit. Please note: We cannot accept nominations for those under the age of 18.
Early Years Educator of the year
Open to anyone working in an early years setting (Nursery to Key Stage 1) across Derbyshire. Nominations can be made by the public, employers, or professionals within the sector. This category must be chosen via the public voting and will have no judges influence or decision.
Franchisee of the year
Open to any individual running a franchise business across Derbyshire. This award celebrates dedication, growth, and excellence within a franchised model. Nominations can be made by customers, employees, franchisors, or fellow business owners.
Local Family Food Retailer of the year
This award celebrates a family-run café or restaurant based in Derbyshire that puts families first — offering great food, a welcoming atmosphere, and a place where all ages feel at home.
Behind the Scenes Star
Celebrating the unsung heroes who keep everything running smoothly — from planners, admins, assistants, chefs, and cleaners to those supporting baby classes, activity groups, nurseries, schools, and family businesses. Their hard work often goes unseen, but makes a huge difference every day. This category must be chosen via the public voting and will have no judges influence or decision.
