The winners of the Progressive Preschool Awards 2021 were announced this afternoon (Thursday 11 November) at a glittering in-person ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
Hosted by Sara Barron, the event made a triumphant return to the London venue, after having to go virtual in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Welcoming the audience of almost 400 executives from across the retail, nursery, preschool, toy, marketing and licensing arenas, Rob Willis, publishing director, commented: “It’s an understatement to say that the world has changed radically since we were last here in 2019. But some things don’t change – the determination of all you suppliers to enter and win these awards, and the buyers who simply love judging.
“The changes of the past two years are reflected in our spectacular line-up of 2021 awards finalists, and we are recognising more finalists than ever before. We pay tribute to new products that address and inspire trends, suppliers that have risen to mighty challenges to support their stockists, and, of course, the retailers which are taking each day as it comes, but always with their doors open.”
The uplifting grand finale of the afternoon saw David Welsh, md of Allison Baby awarded with the Outstanding Achievement accolade for his continued contribution to the nursery and preschool industry.
The winners of the Progressive Preschool Awards 2021 are:
PRODUCT AWARD CATEGORIES
Best Preschool Apparel Range (sponsored by Hasbro)
Peppa Pig Team GB Daywear Range for Character.com from Aykroyd & Sons
Best Toy Range (sponsored by BBC Studios)
PAW Patrol Range from Tonies
Best STEM/Educational Range (sponsored by Evolution PR)
MathLink Cubes Numberblocks 1-10 Activity Set from Learning Resources
Best Preschool Publishing Range (sponsored by My Carry Potty)
Fun To Learn Magazine from Redan Publishing
Best Preschool Home/Furniture Range (sponsored by Harrogate International Nursery Fair)
Teepee Playtime 4 Piece Play Bundle from Ickle Bubba
Best Preschool Gift Range (sponsored by Centum Books)
Peter Rabbit Baby Collection from Enesco
Best Wheeled Goods/Car Seats (sponsored by Vista)
Gazelle S Pushchair from Cybex
Best Preschool Essentials Range (sponsored by bébélephant)
Stages 1-3 Children’s Cutlery from Nana’s Manners
Best Kids Lifestyle Range (sponsored by Poetic Brands)
Little Tikes Traveller from Ideas International
Best Infant Development Range (sponsored by Good Baby Guide)
ELC Blossom Farm Range from Addo Play
RETAIL AWARD CATEGORIES
Best Supermarket Retailer of Preschool Products (sponsored by ViacomCBS Consumer Products)
Asda
Best Online Retailer of Preschool Products (sponsored by Aykroyd & Sons)
Character.com
Best Department Store Retailer of Preschool Products (sponsored by WildBrain CPLG)
John Lewis
Best Mixed Retailer of Preschool Products (sponsored by Rainbow Designs)
B&M
Best Multiple Retailer of Preschool Products (sponsored by Misirli)
The Entertainer
Best Independent Gift Retailer (sponsored by Hippychick)
Small Stuff
Best Independent Nursery Retailer (sponsored by Joie)
Bump Start Baby
Best Independent Apparel Retailer (sponsored by Amscan)
Odd Socks
Best Independent Toy Retailer (sponsored by Smiffys)
Kids Stuff
The Marketing Award (sponsored by Azaria PR)
Hasbro’s Unicef x PJ Masks Bedtime Heroes campaign
Best Distributor/Wholesaler of Preschool Product (sponsored by Redan Publishing)
Hippychick
What Parents Love (sponsored by The Insights Family)
LEGO
Outstanding Achievement (sponsored by Toymaster)
David Welsh, managing director, Allison Baby
Huge thanks once again to all of this year’s sponsors which include: Acamar Films, Amscan International, Aykroyd & Sons, Azaria PR, bébélephant, BBC Studios, British Toy & Hobby Association, Centum Books, Dr Gummer’s Good Baby Guide, Hasbro, Harrogate International Nursery Fair, Hippychick, The Insights Family, Juratoys, Joie, LicensingSource.net, Lilliputiens, London Toy Fair, Misirli, My Carry Potty, Poetic Brands, Rainbow Designs, Redan Publishing, RH Smith & Sons (Smiffys), Toymaster, ViacomCBS, Vista PR, Walker Books and WildBrain CPLG.
