The countdown to the Progressive Preschool Awards 2021 is well and truly on, with the first wave of finalists being confirmed today (16 September).
This year’s prestigious Product categories are set to be hotly contested, with eight finalists lining up for each of the ten accolades, underlining the wealth of top products in the market across the board and the strong number of entries received through the awards online portal.
“We really have been blown away with the quality and volume of entries we had this year for the PPS Awards,” commented Jo Pilcher, publication and event manager for Progressive Preschool. “With all the difficulties the industry has faced over the last 18 months with the pandemic, the various lockdowns and now the ongoing freight issues, we cannot wait to come together on 11th November to celebrate everything the industry has achieved and have a huge ‘preschool’ party!”
The winners will be crowned on Thursday 11 November, when the awards return, in-person, to the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. The return event is endorsed and sponsored by leading names including the British Toy & Hobby Association, Baby Products Association, and Toymaster.
“We can’t wait for this year’s Progressive Preschool Awards to return to its physical format,” commented Rebecca Deeming, public relations and events manager at the BTHA. “Toy Fair is proud to continue to sponsor such a great event and with preschool products a key driver of the UK toy market, it’s important that we can come together as an industry to celebrate the preschool sector’s successes.”
Sponsors of the 2021 event include: Acamar Films, Amscan International, Aykroyd & Sons, Azaria PR, BBC Studios, British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA), Centum Books, Harrogate International Nursery Fair, Hippychick, The Insights Family, LicensingSource.net, London Toy Fair, Media Snug, Misirli, Nursery Online, Poetic Brands, Rainbow Designs, Redan Publishing, RH Smith & Sons (Smiffys), Toymaster, ViacomCBS, Vista PR, Walker Books.
PROGRESSIVE PRESCHOOL AWARDS 2021 PRODUCT FINALISTS
Best Preschool Apparel Range
- British Birds Collection from Piccalilly
- Cotton Onesie from Magnet Mouse
- Cozy Colors Collection from LÄSSIG
- Matalan x That’s Not My… SS21 Collection from Dennicci
- MORI x The Very Hungry Caterpillar Baby and Childrenswear Collection from MORI
- Peppa Pig Team GB Daywear Range for Character.com from Aykroyds
- Waterproof Clothing Range from Dry Kids
- Zog x Cribstar Loungewear Range from Cribstar
Best Toy Range (12m+)
- CAT Junior Crew Vehicles from Funrise Toys
- First Water Magic – Baby Ocean from James Galt
- Funny Bunny from Ravensburger
- Hey Duggee Spin and Groove DJ Duggee from Golden Bear Products
- Little Lot Range ELC from Addo Play
- Magicube Full Colour Try Me Range from Geomagworld
- PAW Patrol Moto Range from SpinMaster Toys
- PAW Patrol Range from Tonies
Best STEM/Educational Range
- FunPlay Range from Edx Education
- Giant Magnifying Pot from Eduk8 Worldwide
- Lalaboom 3in1 Splash Ball and Educational Beads from Juratoys
- Makedo Construction Toys from Bigjigs Toys
- MathLink Cubes Numberblocks 1-10 Activity Set from Learning Resources
- PAW Patrol Electronic Learning Toys from Trends UK
- Play House Make N Mend Workbench from Wilton Bradley
- SmartMax My First Acrobats from Smart Toys
Best Preschool Publishing Range
- Baby Rhyme Time Range from Child’s Play International
- Baby Touch Range by Ladybird from Penguin Random House
- Bing Book Range from HarperCollins Children’s Books
- Box of Bing from Kennedy Publishing
- CoComelon Activity Books from Alligator
- Fun To Learn Standalone Magazine Range from Redan Publishing
- Maisy 30th Anniversary Range from Walker Books
- Space Baby Range by Pat-a-Cake from Hachette Children’s Group
Best Home or Furniture Range
- Chicco Next2Me Forever from Artsana
- Coverless Carefree Dinosaur Bedding from Character World
- Feed Me Combi 4 in 1 Highchair from Red Kite Baby
- Hey Duggee Officially Licensed Homewares Collection from Dreamtex
- Natty Cot Bed from Boori Europe
- Smoby Teepee from Simba Smoby Toys
- SnüzPod 4 Bedside Crib from Green Sheep Group
- Teepee Playtime 4 Piece Play Bundle from Ickle Bubba
Best Preschool Gift Range
- Bigjigs Construction Train Set from Bigjigs Toys
- Jungle Animal Collection from Orange Tree Toys
- Kaloo Lapinoo from Juratoys
- Knitted Gift Sets from JoJo Maman Bébé
- Nattou Piu Piu Octopus from Hippychick
- Peter Rabbit Baby Collection from Enesco
- Plan Toys Piggy Banks from Little Concepts
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Gardening Range from Robert Frederick
Best Wheeled Goods/Car Seats Range
- CarGoSeat Travel Booster Seat from Mainetti
- Gazelle S Pushchair from Cybex
- i-Spin 360 Car Seat from Joie
- iZi Flex FIX i-size Car Seat from BeSafe
- Milano Plus Travel System from Mee-go
- Morgan i-size Car Seat from Cozy n Safe
- Near2Me Pushchair from Graco
- Push Me Pace Travel System from Red Kite Baby
Best Preschool Essentials Range
- Breathable Cot Liner from BreathableBaby
- Classic Wrap from MOBY
- ClevaBath The Baby Sink Bath from ClevaMama
- Flip 4-in-1 Light and Airy Convertible Carrier from Infantino
- My Size Urinal from Summer Infant
- Nattou Silicone Tableware from Hippychick
- Stages 1-3 Children’s Cutlery from Nana’s Manners
- Supreme Reusable Nappies from Bambino Mio
Best Kids’ Lifestyle Range
- Beatrix Potter Backpacks from Enesco
- Chic Mic Bioloco Kid’s Flask from Blue Eyed Sun
- Frugi x National Trust Paddling Puffins SS21 Range from Frugi
- Little Tikes Traveller from Ideas International
- Love Monster Dress Up from Amscan
- Orby Swimwear Range from Orby Swim
- Stainless Steel and Bamboo Adventure and Garden Explorer Lunchbox from LÄSSIG
- Thomas & Friends Train Track Plate Collection from Munchy Play
Best Infant Development Range
- 3-in-1 Grow with Me Tummy Time Piano from Infantino
- Baby Go Round Twist from Red Kite Baby
- Dena Sun Silicone Toy from Hippychick
- ELC Blossom Farm Range from Addo Play
- Infant Development Toy Range from Sassy Baby
- Lilliputiens My First Farm from Juratoys
- Taf Toys Savannah Adventures Collection from Halilit
- Water Playmat from James Galt
The winners will be revealed on from lunchtime on Thursday 11 November 2021at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London,
Rob Willis, director at Max Publishing said: “The excitement for the industry’s big bash is huge! Every day we are working hard to ensure this is the greatest preschool party yet – we will be unveiling some particularly fabulous reasons to attend over the coming weeks so get your places booked now!”
Tickets and tables for the event can be reserved easily and securely online by visiting Max-Tickets.net or by contacting Clare Hollick at Create Events: clare@createvents.co.uk or +44 (0)1183 340085.
