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Why You Should Book Your 2026 School Holiday Childcare Early
Book 2026 school holiday childcare early and save with low deposits, Klarna, instalments and Tax-Free Childcare at the UK’s No.1 activity camp.
School holidays can be a challenge for busy families, juggling work, childcare and keeping kids active and entertained. At Barracudas, we provide the UK’s leading school holiday activity camps, giving children unforgettable experiences while giving parents a flexible, reliable and affordable childcare solution.
Booking your 2026 school holiday childcare now means guaranteed low prices, more payment options than ever (including Klarna), complete flexibility and peace of mind. Here’s why planning ahead is the smartest and most cost-effective way to secure your child’s place at the UK’s number 1 holiday camp.
Guaranteed Lowest Rates for 2026 Holiday Camps
When you book early, you don’t just secure your child’s place, you secure the best possible price. Our Early Booking Offer guarantees our lowest rates until 31st January 2026, saving you up to £100 on your 2026 holiday childcare costs.
Early booking = guaranteed savings + guaranteed availability.
Secure Your 2026 Camp Place with Low Deposit Rates
As well as our lowest camp prices, if you book before 31st December 2025 you'll take advantage of our low deposit rates: £30 per week (full week bookings) or £10 per day (individual days bookings).
After this date, deposits increase to £50 per week or £15 per day, so early booking is the best way to keep upfront costs low.
How It Works
- Choose your preferred Barracudas camp and dates
- Pay a small deposit to secure your child’s spot
- Spread the remaining balance over time with monthly instalments with EPP, or choose Klarna in the payment section
It’s the easiest way to secure affordable school holiday childcare for 2026.
Flexible Childcare Payments:
Klarna (New for 2026!) and Easy Payment Plan
We understand it can be difficult budgeting for school holiday childcare and are pleased to have expanded our payment options to give parents even greater flexibility.
You can secure your booking with a deposit (low rates available until 31st December) and then choose from:
- Barracudas Easy Payment Plan: spread the cost interest-free with manageable monthly instalments
- Klarna: pay in 30 days or split the cost (subject to Klarna approval)
Booking early gives you the maximum number of months to spread the cost — keeping monthly payments at their lowest. Of course, you can also select to pay in full at the time of booking, if that's what suits you.
Example Payment Plans for a 2026 Summer Week (£199)
Book in November
Deposit: £25
Monthly instalments Jan–Jul (8 months): £21.75
Book in December
Deposit: £25
Monthly instalments Jan–Jul (7 months): £24.85
Book in January
Deposit: £50
Monthly instalments Feb–Jul (6 months): £24.83
Book in February
Deposit: £50
Monthly instalments Mar–Jul (5 months): £29.80
The earlier you book, the more you save — and the smaller your monthly cost.
Save an Extra 20% with Tax-Free Childcare
As a fully Ofsted-registered school holiday camp provider, Barracudas accepts:
Tax-Free Childcare
Childcare Vouchers
This means you can save an additional 20% on your booking.
How Tax-Free Childcare Works
Pay £8 into your TFC account
The government adds £2
Use the balance to pay for Barracudas camps
A simple, guaranteed way to reduce childcare costs.
Protect Your Booking with Flex
Add Flex for just £4 per day and book with total confidence.
Flex benefits:
Refund protection
Cover for unexpected changes
No-stress booking
Ideal for parents planning ahead
Flex makes early booking risk-free.
First-Time Bookers: Enjoy Our No-Quibble Money-Back Guarantee
Trying a holiday camp for the first time? No problem.
If your child doesn’t settle:
We’ll try again on another day
If it’s still not right, we’ll refund you in full
Plus we’ll give you a credit to try again the next year
It’s a safe, supportive way for new families to experience Barracudas.
Flexible Date Changes for 2026 School Holiday Camps
Plans can change — and we’ve made sure your booking can too.
Move your dates up to 14 days before camp
Subject to availability
If the new date costs more, simply pay the difference
You get the benefits of early booking and the flexibility of later planning.
Why Early Booking = Less Stress
Secure your child’s place now and enjoy:
Guaranteed availability at popular locations
More time to spread the cost
One less thing on the family to-do list
Plenty of time for your child to get excited
It’s the easiest way to plan 2026 school holiday childcare with confidence.
What Your Child Gets at Barracudas 2026 Activity Camps
Our camps offer so much more than childcare — they’re a place to grow, explore and thrive.
What we provide:
80+ exciting activities (outdoor, creative, sports, team games)
Screen-free fun designed to beat school holiday boredom
Skill-building sessions that boost confidence and independence
Safe environments with enhanced DBS-checked staff
Outstanding parent reviews (5-star Trustpilot, 1,600+ reviews)
Affordable childcare for working parents with flexible hours and locations
No wonder we’re the UK’s No. 1 school holiday activity camp.
What Other Parents Say
"Amazing camp… staff always happy. My little man was never anything but excited!" – Taurean
"My son loves the activities. He comes home exhausted but happy!" – Darius
"Barracudas transformed our school holidays." – Nhamo
"Makes life easier knowing my kids are happy and well looked after." – Katie
How to Book Your 2026 School Holiday Childcare
Choose your Barracudas camp and dates
Lock in the lowest rates before 31st January 2026
Secure your spot with a low deposit before 31st December 2025
Pick your payment option: instalments, low deposit, full payment or Klarna
Add Flex for complete booking protection
Save even more using Tax-Free Childcare or Childcare Vouchers
Book early to guarantee savings, availability and a brilliant school holiday experience for your child.
Frequently Asked Questions (SEO-Optimised)
What is the cheapest way to book school holiday childcare for 2026?
Booking early with Barracudas secures the lowest rates, the lowest deposits, and the longest time to spread the cost through instalments or Klarna.
Do Barracudas holiday camps accept Klarna for childcare payments?
Yes — new for 2026, you can now pay using Klarna at checkout, giving parents extra flexibility alongside our monthly Easy Payment Plan.
How can I save money on UK school holiday camps?
Book early, use low deposits, spread the cost interest-free, apply Tax-Free Childcare for an extra 20% saving and protect your booking with Flex.
Are Barracudas camps Ofsted registered?
Yes, all our sites are Ofsted registered, meaning you can use Tax-Free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers.