01/01/0001
Why Do Camps Cost More Closer to Starting; And How Can You Avoid It?
With the Easter holidays fast approaching, many parents are beginning to finalise their childcare plans. One question we often hear at Barracudas is:
Why do holiday camps cost more the closer we get to the start date?
It’s a fair question, and understanding how camp pricing works can help you plan ahead and save, not just for Easter, but for the summer holidays too.
Why Camp Prices Increase Closer to the Holidays
Holiday camp pricing is usually structured in stages. The earlier you book, the better the rate.
Here’s why that happens:
1. Early Bird Pricing Rewards Early Planning
Camps open bookings months in advance and offer discounted early bird rates to families who secure their places early.
This helps providers:
- Recruit and train staff
- Plan activities and resources
- Ensure appropriate staff-to-child ratios
Once those discounted places are filled or the deadline passes, pricing moves to the next tier.
2. Demand Increases as Holidays Approach
Searches for Easter holiday camps and school holiday childcare rise significantly in the weeks before the break.
As availability reduces and demand increases, pricing typically reflects that change. This is common across many industries, including travel and events.
3. Operational Costs Are Finalised
Closer to the holiday period, camps commit fully to:
- Staffing schedules
- Equipment and activity materials
- Facilities
- Compliance and safeguarding arrangements
Late bookings create additional administration and planning pressures, which is another reason prices tend to rise as start dates approach.
4. Limited Spaces Remain
Quality holiday camps operate with strict capacity limits to maintain safety, supervision ratios and overall experience.
When a week or location is nearly full, remaining places are often limited and priced accordingly.
Why This Matters for the Easter Holidays
The Easter break is shorter than the summer holidays, which means:
- Fewer camp days overall
- Higher competition for places
- Less flexibility if a week fills up
Because the holiday window is condensed, bookings tend to surge quickly. Waiting too long can mean higher prices or reduced availability at preferred locations.
However, families can still take steps to save.
How Parents Can Still Save on Easter Camps
Even if early bird pricing has ended, there are practical ways to reduce costs.
1. Book Multiple Days or Full Weeks
Many camps offer better value when booking:
- Full weeks instead of individual days
- Multiple days together
- Sibling places
This can significantly reduce the average daily rate.
2. Use Tax-Free Childcare
At Barracudas, families can use the UK Government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme, allowing eligible parents to save up to 20% on childcare costs.
If you haven’t explored this option yet, it can make a substantial difference.
3. Book Before the Final Pricing Deadline
Many providers operate final booking deadlines before prices increase again. Even booking a week earlier can mean securing a lower rate.
4. Consider Flexibility
If one location or week is full, nearby venues or alternative dates may still have availability at a lower tier.
Flexibility can open up better-value options.
Planning Ahead for Summer Camps
If Easter is approaching quickly, summer offers an even greater opportunity to save through forward planning.
Summer holidays are:
- Longer
- Higher in demand
- Structured around multiple pricing deadlines
Most camps release:
- Super Early Bird rates
- Early Bird rates
- Standard rates
- Late booking pricing
Booking summer camps early typically secures the lowest available price and guarantees first choice of weeks and locations.
The Cost of Waiting
Delaying booking doesn’t just affect price. It also gives you the best opportunity to secure your preferred location and dates.
Planning early provides:
- Better value
- Greater choice
- Peace of mind ahead of the holidays
Quick Checklist to Help You Save
Before confirming your booking, consider:
- Have you checked current pricing deadlines?
- Can you book a full week for better value?
- Have you applied Tax-Free Childcare?
- Are sibling discounts available?
- Have you secured your preferred location before it fills?
Final Thoughts
Holiday camp pricing is structured around demand, capacity and planning requirements. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to secure the best rate and your preferred location.
For the upcoming Easter holidays, availability is narrowing, but there is still time to secure places at discounted rates.
For summer camps, booking now is the most cost-effective approach.
At Barracudas, we encourage families to plan ahead where possible to benefit from early pricing and wider availability, helping make school holidays both enjoyable and manageable for parents.