Award-winning websites launch their 2010 awards to reward and recognise activities for children
The prestigious What’s On 4 2010 Awards are being launched this week and will culminate with an awards presentation hosted by Mister Maker from Cbeebies.
The award programme, which is again supported by Prima Baby & Pregnancy magazine, is now in its fourth year.
The awards aim to celebrate the best activities across the UK, as nominated and voted for by parents.
This year the awards continue to focus on the people behind the activities and community groups with awards to recognise the most outstanding community group volunteer, most outstanding activity leader and most outstanding children’s tutor.
There are 16 awards in total including several new awards including best after school or breakfast club, best uniformed group and best school holiday club.
And for the first time this year the people and places that make our children’s birthday parties so special are being recognised with awards for best children's party entertainment and best children’s party venue.
And in addition there is the best new activity award and also best local activity award to ensure the new and small groups are not forgotten.
From 5th January to end of February 2010, parents can log onto any of the award winning on-line directories
whatson4littleones.co.uk
whatson4schoolkids.co.uk
whatson4kidsparties.co.uk
To nominate their favourite clubs, groups, classes and party services.
Online voting for all the awards will then run from March to end of April 2010.
The winners of the awards will be announced on 27th June 2009 at the Brighton Baby Expo and presented with their award certificate by Phil Gallagher from Cbeebies Mister Maker and the winners of the community awards will also receive prizes for their groups.
And everyone who nominates or votes has a chance to bring their family to the awards ceremony to meet Mister Maker in person!
Every children’s activity, party entertainer and party venue in the UK has the chance to be nominated and voted for, making the awards a true representation of how parents feel towards what is on offer for their children.
Last year’s awards saw more than 1000 nominations and over 14,000 votes cast, from across the UK.
What’s On 4 founder Sam Willoughby said: 'I'm so excited about our 2010 Awards! I can't wait to receive the nominations as it's a privilege to read how much difference these groups and people make to the every day lives of families across the country'
Sam, who was named Practical Parenting magazine’s Business Parent of the Year in 2007, added: 'I also know how much the teachers and organisers value being nominated, they put a lot of heart and soul into their activities so it's such a great way for us all to say thank you.'
Sasha Felix, co-founder of Sign and Sign, the UK’s leading baby signing programme, and 3 times winner in the awards, said: 'It's great to see What's on 4 going from strength to strength! “What's On 4 websites are quality websites for parents and we were thrilled to be win our award this year. We are looking forward to the results of the 2010 awards too!'
The full list of available awards is:
Pre-School Awards
Best National Baby & Toddler Development Activity (newborn to 2 years)
Open to any class or activity for babies and/or that runs across most of the UK.
Best National Pre-schooler Development Activity (2 to 5 years)
Open to any class or activity for pre-school children that runs across most of the UK
Best Local Activity for the Under 5s
Open to any class or activity for babies and pre-school children that runs in a small part of the UK
Most Outstanding Committee Led Pre-School
Open to any committee led pre-school monitored by OFSTED set up as a registered charity
Most Outstanding Baby and Toddler Group
Open to any local, community baby and toddler group run by volunteers and not for profit.
Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s
Open to any activity or class leader anywhere in the UK.
Primary School Awards
Best National Activity for children aged 5 to 12
Open to any activity, group or class that runs across most of the UK
Best Local Activity for children aged 5 to 12
Open to any activity, group or class that runs in a small part of the UK only.
Most Outstanding Activity Leader for children aged 5 to 12
Open to any activity or class leader anywhere in the UK.
Most Outstanding Individual Tutor for children aged 5 to 12
Open to any one-to-one tutor anywhere in the UK
Best After School or Breakfast Club
Open to any before school or after school club across the UK monitored by OFSTED
Best Uniformed Group
Open to any uniformed group running across the UK
Best School Holiday Club
Open to any school holiday club monitored by OFSTED
Special Awards
Best New Activity for children
Open to any activity, group, club or class anywhere in the UK that has be operating for less than 2 years
Most Outstanding Community Group Volunteer for children
Open to any volunteer working with a community group for children anywhere in the UK
Children’s Party Awards
Best Children's Party Entertainment
Open to any individual or group offering party entertainment for children anywhere in the UK.
Best Children's Party Venue
Open any children's party venue operating anywhere in the UK