What Are the Best Booking Systems for Kids’ Clubs and Why?  

Written by
Melih Kalender
6
min read
Product
Business Advice

5 Best Booking Systems for Kids’ Activity Providers

Are you looking to streamline your kids’ club management by automating daily admin tasks but cannot decide on the best booking system for your kids’ club?  

‘How can I choose the best fit?’, ‘What should I look for when picking the best booking software for my business?’ – these questions are all very common. And we get it, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with so many options out there. That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you by analysing 5 popular systems among kids’ activity providers:

  1. ClassForKids
  2. LoveAdmin
  3. Bookwhen
  4. Membermeister
  5. Class Manager

We evaluated them based on the following key factors to ensure you get the best value:

  • Unique features: While all booking systems handle bookings, payments, registers, and communications, we wanted to take it a step further. That’s why we looked at each system to identify 3 unique features that set it apart.
  • Ease of use: A user-friendly system with a smooth onboarding process makes life easier for you, your teachers, and the parents booking classes. We checked Capterra ratings and looked for the availability of setup and onboarding services to help you select a booking system that provides a seamless experience from the start.
  • Value for money: We understand that most kids’ clubs work with tight budgets. So, we compared pricing structures, reviewed what’s included in each plan, and checked user reviews to help you make a cost-effective decision.
  • Customer support: Reliable support is a key consideration for anyone purchasing an ongoing service. To give you an idea about the type of support offered by each booking system, we reviewed customer feedback and assessed the different ways you can reach out for help.
  • Business growth and marketing support: We think the best booking systems should do more than just manage your club; they should also help it grow. That’s why we checked to see if these popular booking systems support business growth.  

To give you a balanced overview, we looked at reviews from trusted platforms, mainly Capterra, and conducted a thorough analysis of features and pricing models. With a clear and balanced view of each booking system, you’ll be able to choose the one that best aligns with your kids’ club’s needs and goals.

Ready to get started and find your perfect solution? Let's dive in!

[.underline__text]ClassForKids[.underline__text]

If you’re looking for a booking system that understands the unique challenges of running a kids’ activity club, ClassForKids might be the answer you’ve been looking for. This powerful booking system caters specifically to kids’ activity providers, offering a comprehensive set of tools to streamline all aspects of their club management. All data is parent-led to support child information, meaning it’s specific to cater for your needs. Let’s explore what makes ClassForKids so popular among kids’ activity providers.

ClassForKids Features most loved by customers

[.underline__text]Payment secures booking[.underline__text] ClassForKids’ upfront payments feature, known as ‘payment secures booking’, is a lifesaver for kids’ club owners who are tired of dealing with late payments. With this feature, you can prompt parents to pay at the time of booking and ensure a steady stream of income. We hope you’re ready to say goodbye to chasing late payments.

[.underline__text]Trials and waiting lists[.underline__text] If you’re wondering how to convert trials into full-term bookings and keep your classes fully booked, you’ll love ClassForKids’ trials and waiting lists features. You can offer free or paid trials, send automated follow-up emails to encourage full-term bookings, and easily manage your class capacity by waitlisting interested parents – all with just a few clicks!

[.underline__text]Re-run and auto-enrol[.underline__text] Setting up new terms can be time-consuming, but not with ClassForKids. You’ll only need to set up a term once, then duplicate it for each new term, update the dates and prices, and send booking invites to the parents of continuing students – all in a matter of seconds.

Common questions about ClassForKids

How user-friendly is the ClassForKids booking software?

With interactive resources and free setup and onboarding, new users can get started with ClassForKids in as little as 24 hours. Users often praise ClassForKids for its intuitive interface, which has earned the system an impressive 4.7 out of 5 rating on Capterra for ease of use.  

Does ClassForKids offer good value for money?

ClassForKids offers a single, transparent pricing plan that includes full access to the software, a free advertising platform, marketing resources, monthly giveaways, and more. ClassForKids' standard monthly plan scales with your business, supporting an unlimited number of students and teachers. Reviewers highly value this comprehensive package and have given ClassForKids a 4.7-star rating on Capterra for its value for money.

How can I get help when I have questions?

Customer support is where ClassForKids truly shines. You can reach out via email and live chat, and their high responsiveness has earned them the UKCXA’21 award for having the most customer-centric culture. Users rate their customer support at 4.8/5 on Capterra, so you know you’ll be in good hands.

Will the ClassForKids booking system help me grow my business?

ClassForKids isn’t just a booking system. Users also get access to a free advertising platform, the [.pink__text]ClassForKids Discovery Site[.pink__text], which connects club owners with 1M+ parents across the UK. Plus, the [.blue__text]ClassForKids Academy[.blue__text] provides a 12-week learning experience supported by guides and webinars to help you master marketing and growth strategies. If your club has 300+ students, you’ll even get a dedicated account manager to support you.

Conclusion

ClassForKids stands out for its ease of use, reliability, and excellent customer support. Whether you need to re-run a term and quickly enrol continuing students, struggle with poor connectivity, or simply want timely payments, ClassForKids makes life easier for you. Plus, you get free advertising on their Discovery Site and access to marketing and business growth resources.  

LoveAdmin

Unlike ClassForKids, which is tailored to kids' activity providers, LoveAdmin caters to a variety of activity providers. But it’s still a popular booking system among kids’ club owners looking to streamline their admin. If you’re curious to find out what makes it so popular, let’s explore its standout features and hear what reviewers have to say.

LoveAdmin Features most loved by customers

Activity calendar: Make it easy for your customers to browse and book activities with a simple, filterable calendar. You can highlight when spaces are running low and add helpful subtitles to guide them in making the right choice.

Email attachments: Are you looking to promote a new term or event? With LoveAdmin, you can easily include posters and promotional materials in your emails.  

Business intelligence: LoveAdmin’s business intelligence tool offers valuable insights by tracking engagement rates and measuring customer satisfaction.

Common questions about LoveAdmin


How user-friendly is the LoveAdmin booking software?

Ease of use is crucial when selecting a booking system. And while LoveAdmin scores well on Capterra for usability (3.9 out of 5), many users report finding the system complex after initial training despite a paid setup service. This has even led to some users asking for more extensive training sessions.

Does LoveAdmin offer good value for money?

LoveAdmin has a 3.8 rating on Capterra for value-for-money. Their pricing model includes a one-off setup fee and transaction fees with a monthly minimum spend.

How can I get help when I have questions?

Having earned a solid 4.3-star rating on Capterra, LoveAdmin’s support team is accessible via email and phone. Users generally find the support team helpful and responsive, which enhances their overall experience.

Will the LoveAdmin booking system help me grow my business?

While LoveAdmin doesn’t offer a free advertising platform, it organises webinars and has partnered with Gold Medal Business. This partnership allows customers to book a free consultation with a business coach to refine their business plans.

Conclusion

LoveAdmin boasts powerful features like email attachments and business intelligence tools, along with responsive customer support. However, its complex interface and lack of transparent pricing might be a deterrent for some.  

Bookwhen

Known for its simplicity and stellar customer support, Bookwhen caters to a variety of businesses, from event organisers to class providers. But what makes Bookwhen a popular choice among kids’ activity providers? Let’s dive in and find out.

Features most loved by customers

Passes: With Bookwhen, your customers can buy a block of class credits for future events, which is a great feature that adds flexibility and convenience.

Zoom Integration: Are you planning to run online events? If you are, Bookwhen can simplify your online event management by automatically creating Zoom meetings and sending out emails to your attendees.

Languages: Bookwhen’s availability in multiple languages makes it accessible to a wide range of users and customers.

Common questions about Bookwhen

How user-friendly is the Bookwhen booking software?

Bookwhen may not offer a setup and onboarding service, but users don’t seem to mind that. With a 4.7-star rating on Capterra for ease of use, Bookwhen is frequently praised for being a straightforward and intuitive system for club owners, coaches, and customers booking classes.

Does Bookwhen offer good value for money?

Bookwhen provides five pricing plans, from a free version that supports 50 bookings a month and one team member to a bespoke plan for larger enterprises. The ‘Standard’ plan, priced at US$29 per month, supports up to 800 bookings and includes up to five team members. The ‘Plus’ plan, priced at US$59 per month, allows up to 1,800 bookings per month and ten team members.

How can I get help when I have questions?

Bookwhen excels in customer support, and is given a stellar 4.9-star rating from Capterra reviewers. While the free version doesn’t include customer support, subscribers of the ‘Lite’ and ‘Standard’ plans have access to online support, and ‘Plus’ plan users can reach the support team via phone.

Will the Bookwhen booking system help me grow my business?

One area where Bookwhen falls short is business growth and marketing support. It lacks a free advertising platform and doesn’t offer helpful guides, webinars, or partnerships to help you grow your kids’ club.

Conclusion

While Bookwhen doesn’t provide setup and onboarding services or business growth and marketing support, its simplicity and outstanding customer support make it a popular booking system for kids’ club owners. With a 4.9-star overall rating from Capterra reviewers, Bookwhen is definitely worth considering for those seeking an easy-to-use booking system.

Membermeister

Membermeister keeps it simple with just the essential features to automate billing and streamline admin, and it does the job well. With a 4.9-star overall rating from Capterra reviewers, it’s a popular booking system. Let’s take a closer look at what really sets it apart.

Features most loved by customers

User dashboard: Membermeister’s user dashboard gives you full control and access to information like new sign-ups and upcoming classes.  

Team management: Membermeister allows you to control the level of detail each coach can see in the class registers assigned to them. This feature, also available in alternative software like ClassForKids, is a favourite among club owners.

Customisable business documents: You can add a professional touch to your documents by incorporating your logo, colours, and contact details.

Common questions about Membermeister

How user-friendly is the Membermeister booking software?

Membermeister excels in usability, earning a 4.8-star rating on Capterra for ease of use. While many other booking systems offer similar features, Membermeister stands out with its straightforward, user-friendly interface, which club owners, instructors, and customers appreciate.

Does Membermeister offer good value for money?

Membermeister offers 4 distinct plans priced at £29, £39, £49, and £69 per month. All plans include access to all features, with the main difference being the number of active students a club can have. The most affordable plan supports up to 50 active students, while the highest tier accommodates up to 750.

How can I get help when I have questions?

As a new customer, you get a free setup and data import service to help you make the switch to Membermeister. Plus, their support team is available via phone, email, or webchat to address any questions you may have. Membermeister has earned a perfect 5-star rating on Capterra for its exceptional customer support.

Will the Membermeister booking system help me grow my business?

Although Membermeister offers exceptional customer support, it currently does not provide an advertising platform for listing classes or dedicated support for business growth and marketing.

Conclusion

Known for its user-friendly interface and excellent customer support, Membermeister is a popular choice for kids’ clubs looking for a reliable booking system. However, it lacks integrated marketing tools, business growth resources, and an advertising platform that can help club owners reach more customers.

Class Manager

Running a successful kids’ club is easy when you have the right tools in place, and Class Manager promises to deliver just that. Combining user-friendly features with innovative technology to help you manage your club effortlessly, Class Manager is a popular option among kids’ activity providers.

Features most loved by customers

Darcey, the AI assistant: You can say goodbye to worrying about crafting compelling emails. Darcey, Class Manager’s AI assistant, can create engaging email content based on your prompts and help you save time.

Email tracking: With Class Manager, you can schedule emails and track their open and click-through rates to gain insights into your email performance.

Customer heatmap: Class Manager helps you identify growth opportunities by visualising your customer distribution on a map.

Common questions about Class Manager

How user-friendly is the Class Manager booking software?

Class Manager earns a solid 4.6-star rating on Capterra for ease of use. The system is generally considered straightforward, with training and support provided to all customers, including those on a free trial.  

Does Class Manager offer good value for money?

Class Manager keeps things simple with one standard monthly plan that includes access to all features. They also offer a free setup service and ongoing customer support, earning them a stellar 4.9-star rating on Capterra for value for money.  

How can I get help when I have questions?

Class Manager is known for its excellent customer support. With a 4.9-star rating from Capterra reviewers, the support team is accessible via phone, email, and live chat.

Will the Class Manager booking system help me grow my business?

While Class Manager doesn’t offer dedicated guides or webinars for business growth and marketing, it does provide useful tools like the customer heatmap and survey features. However, unlike some other alternatives, it doesn’t have a free advertising platform for class listings.

Conclusion

Class Manager stands out for its ease of use, comprehensive features, and exceptional customer support. While it doesn’t include some of the marketing support tools offered by competitors, its AI assistant, email tracking, and customer heatmap are valuable assets for any club.

 

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Choosing a Booking System: Final Considerations

Choosing the right booking system for your kids’ activity club isn’t a one-size-fits-all matter. It all depends on the specific needs and goals of your business. Here’s a breakdown of 5 popular booking systems to help you make an informed decision:

  • With its user-friendly interface, excellent customer support, and comprehensive resources to help you grow your business through marketing and other initiatives, ClassForKids is ideal for kids’ clubs with a growth mindset.
  • While some users find LoveAdmin booking system complex to navigate, it provides a solid set of features and responsive customer support.
  • Both Bookwhen and Membermeister cover all the essential functions you need to run your kids’ club effectively. And they both excel in customer support. However, if you’re looking for dedicated growth and marketing resources, you might find them lacking.
  • Class Manager offers a balance between innovative features like an AI assistant and robust customer support. While it might not have specific growth tools and resources, its versatility makes it a popular choice.

When making your decision, consider evaluating the overall ease of use, value for money and customer support to ensure you're selecting the right booking software you choose for your kids’ club, and that it aligns perfectly with your goals and helps your club thrive. We've created a helpful table below for you to view these details at a glance.

Curious to find out more about our top-ranked system, ClassForKids?

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article was accurate as of 1 August 2024 and will be reviewed and updated annually.

Melih Kalender

Melih is the newest member of our content crew. By day, he whips up catchy blogs, guides, and ad copy. When he's away from the keyboard, he explores the world and fuels his creativity with art, recipes, and faraway adventures.