BUSINESS is kids' stuff for the winner of an award scheme run by Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce.

Long Eaton-based Children 1st has been named Business of the Year at the chamber's Nottinghamshire business awards 2011.

The group runs 13 nurseries and a training academy and has been in business for 20 years.

More than 1,600 children attend its nurseries and out-of-school clubs, and it has been rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Children 1st, which employs more than 330 people, was also shortlisted in the Excellence in People development category in the Chamber Awards at Colwick Hall.

Managing director Jacqui Mason received the award. She said: "I am absolutely delighted that Children 1st has won the Business of the Year award.

"I am thrilled to accept this award on behalf of every manager, nursery nurse, cook, housekeeper, maintenance staff and administrator.

"It is only through their hard work, commitment and dedication that we have won this award today."

The business was one of eight winners at the awards, which were hosted by Capital FM presenters Dino and Pete.

Chamber chief executive George Cowcher said: "Congratulations to all the winners of this year's business awards.

"These awards are all about showcasing the very best that Nottinghamshire business has to offer and all of this year's winners are a credit to the city and the county.

"All have been selected because of the excellence, innovation and enterprise they have demonstrated over the last 12 months.

"It is clear that the business sector in Nottinghamshire is thriving and we have many reasons to be proud of everything that is created, designed and manufactured here."

Winners and finalists in each category at the Chamber awards were:

Most Promising New Business, sponsored by Experian:

Aware Monitoring Ltd, one of the UK's fastest growing website performance monitoring companies, won the award with its innovative product, which provides businesses with real-time updates on the content load time, availability and optimisation of their website.

The other finalists were A Star Media and the Elm Tree public house.

Excellence in Customer Service, sponsored by The Money Shop:

The Nottingham Belfry Hotel scooped this award for the way its team ensures that every wedding, conference or special event is run to a high standard.

The other finalists were Cowens Survival Capability and PerCurra Ltd.

Excellence in People Development, sponsored by the Open University:

Djanogly City Academy Nottingham won this award for its commitment to employing and developing talented professionals who can design and deliver outstanding learning experiences for its students.

Other finalists in this category were Rumbles Catering Project and Children 1st.

Achievement in International Business, sponsored by Enterprise Europe Network (Midlands):

This award was presented to Newson Gale Ltd, a Nottingham niche manufacturer of static earthing and bonding equipment, which helps process industries control their exposure to fires and explosions caused by electrostatic discharge in hazardous areas.

Other finalists in this category were Hall Fast Industrial Supplies Ltd and PBS Payroll Services Ltd.

The Sustainability Award, sponsored by the University of Nottingham:

The Hardstaff Group won this award for the way it has developed and pioneered the use of dual fuel in heavy haulage vehicles.

Eversheds LLP and North Midlands Construction Plc were the other finalists in this category.

Innovation Through Technology, sponsored by the Greenbank Group:

This award went to Uppercut Productions Ltd for the specialist remote aerial video and photography services it provides, using miniature GPS-guided HeliCam drones, which can operate at altitudes of up to 400ft.

Other finalists in this category were Aware Monitoring Ltd and Capital One IT Website Scalability.

Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by East Midlands Business Ltd:

Malcolm Hall, owner and managing director of Hall Fast Industrial Supplies Ltd, for the way he has turned his business from a £5,000 start-up into one of the Midlands' fastest growing companies, with projected growth of 120 per cent this year and sales into export markets around the world.

Other finalists were Dr Kevin Hard of EvoEnergy Ltd and Sarah Ward of Spa Publishing Ltd.

Business of the Year, sponsored by NatWest: Children 1st won this award.

The other finalists in this category were Cherry Professional Ltd and EvoEnergy Ltd.

Along with the category sponsors, the awards were supported by The Dairy, The Conference Works, Quiet Storm and Capital FM.