BUSINESSES across North Somerset have been nominated for awards in recognition of the activities and classes they put on for young children in the area.
The What’s On 4 Junior Awards are held each year to recognise the companies, groups and individuals providing the best activities, classes, days out and parties for young families across the UK.
Among this year’s nominees are a number of North Somerset firms which are now in need of public votes to be in with the chance of winning.
Little Teds Messy Play, which holds sessions in Backwell and Long Ashton, is among them.
Set up in September by mother-of-two Zoe O’Keefe, the sessions give youngsters the chance to enjoy a variety of activities using different textures and colours to develop children’s skills.
Her group has been nominated in the category entitled Best Local Activity for Under 5s.
Zoe said: “I think it’s brilliant to have been nominated for an award. I’m really chuffed.”
Also in the same category is family-run, Clevedon company, Football Fun 4 Little 1s, which holds football coaching sessions for young children across Somerset and Bristol.
Founder Estelle Lockett said: “I am over the moon our small, family-run business has been nominated by our parents for such a prestigious award.”
Estelle’s friend, Hayley Fitzgerald, has also been nominated in the Best National Baby & Toddler Development Activity (for newborn to two years) category for the Turtletots swimming classes she puts on in North Somerset.
Estelle added: “We are both so chuffed and excited we are able to bring vote-worthy services to the area.”
In Portishead, Splat Messy Play run by Lauren Macdonald has also been nominated in the category for Best Local Activity for Under 5s as well as the Best New Activity for Children and Best Children’s Party Entertainment categories.
Sessions at the town’s youth centre give babies and young children the chance to learn and experiment with paint, sand, jelly, pasta, custard and lots more messy materials.
Lauren said: “I love my job and the fun these children have when they are in class and are able to just explore without their parents worrying about the mess afterwards.”
? The public now has the chance to vote for the nominees online at www.whatson4littleones.co.uk/award-voting.asp before the winners are announced at a ceremony to be held at Drayton Manor in Tamworth on June 20.
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