All nominees will be asked to submit the following information:

✔️A description of them/their business. (200 words max.)
✔️What winning the award would mean to them. (200 words max.)
✔️A photo that is meanful and 'says it all'.

Optional:

✔️Supporting information (max. 2 x A4 PDF file).
✔️Link to a 3 minute (max.) video that can be audio only.

Plus the following information for the different categories:

The Steve Franks 'Shining Star' Award for Excellence and Innovation sponsored by the Children's Activities Association

• Innovation: Demonstrates creative approaches that have significantly enhanced the children's activities landscape. (500 words max.)
• Impact: Shows measurable positive outcomes for children, families, community or the children's activities sector. (200 words max)
• Leadership: Exhibits visionary guidance and inspires others within the sector. (200 words max.)
• Sustainability: Implements practices ensuring long-term benefits and continuous improvement. (200 words max.)

The Morton Michel Remarkable Achievement Award

(500 words max. in total)


• Significant Accomplishment: Achieved a noteworthy achievement, milestone and/or overcame substantial challenges.
  
• Inspirational Story: Provides a compelling narrative that motivates and encourages others.
  
  

Plus:

• Community Engagement: Actively involved and positively impacted the local or wider community. (200 words max.)
• Legacy: Leaves a lasting positive effect on the children's activities sector. (200 words max)

The ThinkSmart Software Outstanding Newcomer (750 words max. in total)

Open to any children's activity provider that started their progamme, business or franchise territory in the UK after 1st January 2023.

• Popularity: Gained significant traction and positive feedback from participants and parents.
• Quality of Experience: Offers engaging, safe, and developmentally appropriate classes/activities.
• Differentiation: Stands out from existing classes/activities through unique features or approaches.
• Growth Potential: Shows promise for expansion and sustainability within the sector.

The Little Starts Gift Card Diversity & Inclusion Champion (750 words max. in total)

• Inclusive Practices: Actively promotes and implements policies ensuring accessibility for all children and families.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Incorporates diverse cultural perspectives and respects differences.
• Equity Advocacy: Works towards reducing barriers and providing equal opportunities for participation.
• Community Representation: Reflects the diversity of the community.

Our judging panel has been carefully selected to represent a range of perspectives, including industry experts and independent stakeholders. All judges are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest to ensure fairness and impartiality.

When voting opens, nominees in the judged award categories will also be invited to provide additional information to support their nomination. Please refer to the awards timeline for exact dates and deadlines.

Nominees will receive this request via email, sent to the address provided during the registration for the award category. If you do not receive this email, please contact us immediately.

Nominees must submit their additional information via an online form using the provided link. See above for details including the maximum word counts.

Optionally, nominees may also include a link to a YouTube video no longer than 3 minutes featuring themselves or, in the case of organisations, a representative. This video serves as an opportunity to further support the written nomination.  Videos longer than 3 minutes will not be viewed.

All information submitted will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and used solely for the purposes described here. Following the completion of the judging process, information will be securely stored for 12 months and then permanently deleted.

After the submission deadline, all nominee information will be assessed against the judging criteria using a standardised scoring system:

    1: Insufficient – Does not meet the criterion.
    2: Below Average – Partially meets the criterion.
    3: Average – Adequately meets the criterion.
    4: Good – Exceeds the criterion.
    5: Outstanding – Significantly exceeds the criterion.

Judges will provide written justifications for their scores to ensure accountability and transparency.

Following the initial scoring, the judging panel will convene to review the results collectively. This discussion allows judges to share insights, address discrepancies, and focus on borderline cases to ensure a thorough and fair evaluation.