What's Inside This Template

Starting an activity business without a plan is like teaching a class without a session plan — you might muddle through, but you won't get the best results. This business plan template has been designed specifically for children's activity providers, whether you're launching a swimming school, dance academy, sports coaching company, or multi-activity franchise.

Template Sections

The template is structured into eight core sections that cover every aspect of planning your activity business:

Executive Summary — A one-page overview of your business concept, target market, and financial headline figures. Write this last but place it first.
Market Analysis — Frameworks for researching your local area: competitor mapping, demographic analysis, demand estimation, and pricing benchmarks.
Service Offering — Define your classes, programmes, age groups, levels, and term structure. Includes a capacity planning worksheet.
Marketing Strategy — Channel-by-channel plan covering social media, local partnerships, trial class strategy, and referral programmes.
Operations Plan — Venue requirements, staffing model, insurance, governing body affiliation, and equipment lists.
Compliance Checklist — DBS checks, safeguarding policy, risk assessments, first aid, and data protection requirements.
Financial Projections — Pre-built spreadsheet formulas for startup costs, monthly running costs, revenue projections based on fill rate scenarios (conservative, expected, optimistic), break-even analysis, and cash flow forecasting for the first 12 months.
Growth Roadmap — A framework for planning your expansion from launch to Year 3, including triggers for adding classes, instructors, and venues.

Who This Template Is For

This template is for anyone planning to launch a children's activity business in the UK, or existing providers looking to formalise their strategy. It's also invaluable if you're seeking funding — banks, investors, and grant bodies expect a structured business plan, and this template ensures you cover everything they'll want to see.

How to Use It

Download the template and work through each section in order. Guidance notes and example entries are included throughout to help you understand what's expected. The financial projections section includes formulas that automatically calculate your break-even point and cash flow based on the numbers you input. Allow 2-4 weeks to complete the plan thoroughly — rushing a business plan defeats its purpose.