For years, children’s activity providers have been quietly doing extraordinary work.
Across the UK, thousands of providers are helping children build confidence, discover new talents, make friends, get active, express themselves creatively, and find a sense of belonging.
You are the people creating spaces where children thrive.
But despite the incredible impact this sector has on children and families, one thing has always been missing…
A clear picture of the sector itself.
Until now.
ICAP has been working behind the scenes on something we believe is long overdue – the first true benchmark report for the children’s activity sector.
And we are getting ready to launch it very soon.
Why This Report Matters
If you run children’s activities, you probably know this feeling.
You’re running great sessions.
Children love them.
Parents are happy.
But when it comes to the business side of things, questions start creeping in:
- Am I charging the right price?
- Are my classes as full as they should be?
- Is my retention good?
- What does a “typical” children’s activity business actually look like?
Most providers have never had access to the kind of sector data that other industries rely on.
Until now, many of you have been making business decisions in isolation, without clear benchmarks or comparisons.
This report begins to change that.
A Sector Coming Together
What makes this report so exciting is the collaboration behind it.
We’ve brought together data and insights from:
- children’s activity providers across the UK
- major booking platforms used by the secto
- industry partners
- national datasets
- and insights directly from providers themselves
Together, this data is helping us build the first meaningful benchmark picture of the children’s activity sector.
And this is only the beginning.
Our ambition is for this report to grow year after year, creating an increasingly powerful resource for providers across the country.
This Report Is About More Than Numbers
While the report includes benchmarks, data and insights about the business side of running children’s activities, it’s also about something much bigger.
It’s about recognising the enormous value of this sector.
Every day, children’s activity providers are helping children:
- build confidence
- develop friendships
- discover talents
- move their bodies
- express creativity
- find role models
- experience belonging
- and enjoy precious screen-free time
The ripple effect of this work goes far beyond the sessions themselves.
And it deserves to be recognised.
The Beginning of a Stronger Sector
One of the things we hear most often from providers is this:
“Running the sessions is the easy part. Running the business is the challenge.”
This report is designed to help demystify that business side.
By sharing benchmarks, insights and sector trends, our aim is to help providers feel:
- more confident
- better informed
- less alone
- and more connected to the wider sector.
Because when children’s activity businesses become stronger and more sustainable, more children benefit too.
Launching at the ICAP Conference
We’ll be officially unveiling the findings from the report at the ICAP Conference, where we’ll be sharing:
- the key benchmarks
- the most surprising insights from the data
- what the numbers tell us about the future of the sector
- and what it means for children’s activity providers right now.
It’s a moment we’ve been working towards for a long time.
And we cannot wait to share it with you.
If you haven’t already, book your tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/icapconference
This Is Just the Start
This report represents the first step in building a clearer, stronger and more connected children’s activity sector.
But the real power of this work will come as the report grows year after year – with more data, more insight and more collaboration across the sector.
Because when we understand the sector better, we can support the people within it better.
And ultimately, that means more opportunities for children to thrive.
✨ The children’s activity sector is extraordinary.
And very soon, we’ll be revealing the data that helps show just how powerful it really is.
Watch this space.
Jenni
With Thanks To:
⭐️ Andrew Walters – Kindling
⭐️ Cerys – The Approaching School Academy
⭐️ Nicole Bateman – The Friendly SEND Advisor
⭐️ Laurent Leclerc – Smappen
⭐️ Annabel Kaye – Koffee Klatch
⭐️ Tamara Holland – Dot & Stripe
⭐️ Sam Godfrey-Moore – What’s On 4 Kids
⭐️ Tim Freed and the team at Book That In
⭐️ Dewi Jones and the team at Franscape
⭐️ Abi Jacks and the team at Love Admin
