Family-focused businesses celebrated their success at the annual Lots for Tots Awards.
The awards returned for their third year on Saturday evening, welcoming 263 guests to Burton Albion Football Club for a celebration of the people, businesses and organisations supporting families across the region.
Across 20 categories, awards were presented to both winners and runners-up, recognising excellence in childcare, education, family services and community support.
Run by Beth Wheatley, owner of the popular guide for families with under 5s, Lots for Tots and Lots for Tots Childcare, the awards celebrated their most successful year yet, with over 103,193 votes cast during the first round of public voting alone.
The 2026 awards also saw strong engagement in several newer categories, including Early Years Educator of the Year, won by Gemma from Emmanuel School and Behind the Scenes Star, won by Steph from Connected Perinatal Support CIC.
The categories received significant support from schools, nurseries, education providers and families, highlighting the growing recognition of individuals working behind the scenes to support children and parents.
Particularly high levels of public engagement were seen across The Public’s Business of the Year, won by The Olive Branch Toy Shop and Lots for Tots Readers’ Choice, won by Friends of the Baby Unit.
The awards process included saw nominations received at the start of the year before a first round of public voting selected the finalists. A judging panel, made up of Sam Moore, Headteacher at Aston on Trent Primary School, Libby Layton, Owner of Willow Grace Event Styling, Chris and Hayley, parents and readers of Lots for Tots and Morgan Rae, Marketing Manager at White Post Farm, then selected the winners.
Public choice categories were decided entirely by public vote. The event was supported by headline sponsors Counting Kids, Green Square Medical Group, Almas Industries .
Beth Wheatley, owner of Lots for Tots, said: “The Lots for Tots Awards were created to celebrate the people and businesses making a real difference to families locally. Seeing over 100,000 votes cast in the first round alone shows just how valued these individuals, organisations and services truly are within our community. Every finalist should be incredibly proud.”
Award Winners
| Session Leader of the year | |
| Nikki – Moo Music Derby | 1st place |
| Kath – TinyTalk Derbyshire | Runner up |
| Customer Excellence of the year | |
| Derby LIVE | 1st place |
| Buxton Opera House | Runner up |
| Baby Class of the year | |
| Little Glow Burton and Swadlincote | 1st place |
| Bright Beginnings | Runner up |
| Event and Party Service of the year | |
| Moo Music Burton & Ashbourne | 1st place |
| Splat Messy Play Derby | Runner up |
| Toddler Class of the year | |
| Kidslingo South Derbyshire and Burton | 1st place |
| Beat Feet Academy of Dance | Runner up |
| Charity of the year | |
| Breastfeeding Network Derbyshire | 1st place |
| Sam’s Superheroes Foundation | Runner up |
| Family Photographer of the year | |
| Little Boo Photography | 1st place |
| Georgia Emily Photography | Runner up |
| Behind the Scene Star | |
| Steph – Connected Perinatal Support CIC | 1st place |
| Belle Pickles – Messy Play | Runner up |
| Independent Business of the year | |
| Tiddlekicks | 1st place |
| EverlyRosePrints | Runner up |
| Local Family Attraction of the year | |
| Hero Town | 1st place |
| Calke Abbey National Trust | Runner up |
| Volunteer of the year | |
| Karen Clements – Breastfeeding Network Derbyshire | 1st place |
| Ciselyn Alexander – Connected Perinatal Support | Runner up |
| Sports and Physical Activity Provider of the year | |
| Infinity Dance Academy | 1st place |
| Puddleducks Derbyshire | Runner up |
| Preschool Education Provider of the year | |
| Shardlow Hall Day Nursery | 1st place |
| Bramble Brook Pre School CIO | Runner up |
| Primary Education Provider of the year | |
| Cherry Tree Hill Primary School | 1st place |
| Weston on Trent Primary School | Runner up |
| Early Years Educator of the year | |
| Gemma Snowdon – Emmanuel School. | 1st place |
| Rachel Liddell – Aston on Trent Pre School | Runner up |
| Family Support Service of the year | |
| Sleep Nurse UK | 1st place |
| Lunar Mind Therapeutic Services | Runner up |
| Lots for Tots Readers Choice | |
| Friends of the Baby Unit | 1st place |
| SoccerstarsUK | Runner up |
| The Public’s Business of the year | |
| The Olive Branch Toy Shop | 1st place |
| Messy Play | Runner up |
| Local Family Food Retailer of the year | |
| Compamigos | 1st place |
| Blossoms Play Cafe | Runner up |
| Franchisee of the year | |
| Messy Play Derby East | 1st place |
| Baby Sensory Burton and Moira | Runner up |
