Lots for Tots Awards 2026
A Night of Stars and Recognition
The Lots for Tots Awards 2026 is now closed.
The award winners and runners up are as follows:
Session Leader of the Year
Winner – Nikki – Moo Music
Runner Up – Kath – TinyTalk Derbyshire
Customer Excellence of the Year
Winner – Derby LIVE
Runner Up – Buxton Opera House
Baby Class of the Year
Winner – Little Glow Burton and Swadlincote
Runner Up – Bright Beginnings
Event and Party Services of the Year
Winner – Moo Music Burton & Ashbourne
Runner Up – Splat Messy Play Derby
Toddler Class of the Year
Winner – Kidslingo South Derbyshire and Burton
Runner Up – Beat Feet Academy of Dance
Charity of the Year
Winner – Breastfeeding Network Derbyshire
Runner Up – Sam’s Superheroes Foundation
Family Photographer of the Year
Winner – Little Boo Photography
Runner Up – Georgia Emily Photography
Behind the Scenes Star
Winner – Steph – Connected Perinatal Support CIC
Runner Up – Belle Pickles – Messy Play
Independent Business of the Year
Winner – Tiddlekicks
Runner Up – EverlyRosePrints
Local Family Attraction of the Year
Winner – Hero Town
Runner Up – Calke Abbey National Trust
Volunteer of the Year
Winner – Karen Clements – Breastfeeding Network Derbyshire
Runner Up – Ciselyn Alexander – Connected Perinatal Support
Sports and Physical Activity provider of the Year
Winner – Infinity Dance Academy
Runner Up – Puddleducks Derbyshire
Preschool Education Provider of the Year
Winner – Shardlow Hall Day Nursery
Runner Up – Bramble Brook Pre School CIO
Primary Age Education Provider of the Year
Winner – Cherry Tree Hill Primary School
Runner Up – Weston on Trent Primary School
Early Years Educator of the Year
Winner – Gemma Snowdon – Emmanuel School
Runner Up – Rachel Liddell – Aston on Trent Pre School
Family Support Service Provider of the Year
Winner – Sleep Nurse UK
Runner Up – Lunar Mind Therapeutic Services
Lots For Tots Readers Choice
Winner – Friends of the Baby Unit
Runner Up – SoccerstarsUK
The Public’s Business of the Year
Winner – The Olive Branch Toy Shop
Runner Up – Messy Play
Local Family Food Retailer of the Year
Winner – Compamigos
Runner Up – Blossoms Play Cafe
Franchisee of the Year
Winner – Messy Play Derby East
Runner Up – Baby Sensory Burton and Moira
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
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.
