The winners of the Progressive Preschool Awards 2025 were announced on 11 November at a glittering ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
An audience of some 400 industry executives from across the retail, nursery, preschool, toy, marketing and licensing arenas were treated to a host of entertainment including comedy from host Jack Skipper.
Welcoming everyone, COO of Max Publishing, Rob Willis, said: “This event happens because of you guys – the fantastic sponsors who back the entire industry, those marketing gurus who enter, those superstar judges we have and, indeed, everyone who buys a single ticket to this day – we thank you.”
Among the trove of winners, of which you can see the full list below, POC want to spotlight its members that were recognised with awards. This includes: Asda, Character.com, Hasbro, BBC Studios, Akyroyds & Sons, and the LEGO Group.
Nicola Webster, community manager at Products of Change commented:
“It was fantastic to see so many POC members nominated in the Progressive Preschool awards. Congratulations to all of the winners and a special mention to the POC members who were nominated and picked up awards, as well as to POC member (and POC Conference supporter) Poetic Brands, who sponsored the Eco award category.
“With the awards taking place a week after the POC Conference, it was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with lots of our POC community; hearing of the new connections and conversations already happening post-event is wonderful.”
The winners of the Progressive Preschool Awards 2025 are:
Best Supermarket Retailer of Preschool Products
Asda
(sponsored by Paramount)
Best Multiple Retailer of Preschool Products (5+ stores)
Smyths Toys
(sponsored by Misirli)
Best Mixed Retailer of Preschool Products
Blue Diamond
(sponsored by Rainbow Designs)
Best Department Store Retailer of Preschool Products
John Lewis
(sponsored by Blues Group)
Best Online Retailer of Preschool Products
Character.com
(sponsored by Aykroyds)
Best Independent Nursery Retailer
Winstanleys Pramworld, Wigan and Stoke on Trent
(sponsored by Joie)
Best Independent Apparel Retailer
Little Dots, Stone
(sponsored by Difuzed)
Best Independent Toy Retailer
Chalkboard
(sponsored by Smart Toys and Games)
Best Independent Giftware Retailer
Little Acorn Gifts, Halifax
(sponsored by H&A)
Best Retailer Newcomer
ebebek, Greenwich
(sponsored by Let’s Go See)
Best Preschool Retail Initiative
Peppa Pig Evie Pig campaign with Smyths
(sponsored by Penguin Ventures)
Best Preschool Apparel Range
Bluey Daywear Range for M&S from Aykroyd & Sons
(sponsored by Hasbro)
Best Licensed Toy Range
Heinz Play Food Range from Casdon
(sponsored by BBC Studios)
Best Non-Licensed Toy Range
BIG Activity Range from Plus-Plus
(sponsored by Toy Fair 2026)
Best STEM/Educational Range
tickit Wooden Building Gem Blocks Super Set from Commotion
(sponsored by Good Play Guide)
Best Preschool Publishing Range
The Adventures of Paddington Publishing Range from HarperCollins
(sponsored by London International Stationery Show)
Best Preschool Home or Furniture Range
Clara Cashmere 3 Piece Nursery Furniture Set from CuddleCo
(sponsored by Project Baby)
Best Preschool Gift Range
Eleanor Bowmer Baby and Nursery Gifting Range from Woodvale Studios
(sponsored by Moonbug Entertainment)
Best Car Seat Range
Nuna ARRA Flex and BASE Curv from Allison Baby
(sponsored by Vista PR)
Best Wheeled Goods Range
Balios S Lux from Cybex
(sponsored by Harrogate International Nursery Fair)
Best Preschool Essentials Range
Natural Beige Potty from My Carry Potty
(sponsored by Bump PR)
Best Infant Development Range
Janod Pure Wooden Bear Busy-Board from Juratoys
(sponsored by BioGaia)
The Eco Award
EarthSmart Range from Vital Baby
(sponsored by Poetic Brands)
The Marketing Award
Peppa Pig ‘Pig Changes’ from Hasbro
(sponsored by Azaria PR)
What Parents Love
LEGO
(sponsored by The Insights Family)
Best Wholesaler or Distributor of Preschool Products
Bébélephant
(sponsored by PreschoolNews.net)
Outstanding Achievement Award
Andy Crane, BabyStyle
(sponsored by Toymaster)
