What is Term-Time?

Term-time refers to the periods when schools are in session, typically divided into three terms (autumn, spring, and summer) with half-term breaks in between. Most children's activity businesses structure their regular weekly classes around the school term calendar, as family routines and availability are largely dictated by school schedules.

Operating on a term-time basis affects several aspects of your business: pricing (you sell blocks of lessons aligned to the term length, typically 10-14 weeks), staffing (coaches and teachers may have different availability during holidays), venue hire (schools and leisure centres often change their availability during holidays), and cash flow (you typically collect payment at the start of each term, creating a lumpy revenue pattern with peaks in September, January, and April).

Many activity businesses supplement term-time classes with holiday camp provision to maintain revenue during the breaks and to serve the significant demand for childcare during school holidays. The transition between term-time and holiday operations requires planning — different staff ratios, Ofsted registration requirements, venue arrangements, and pricing structures may apply. Some businesses operate year-round with a rolling monthly model instead of following terms, which provides more consistent cash flow but may reduce the sense of urgency that term-based booking creates.