How to set up a class that runs across multiple days (Holiday program or camp)

There may be instances where you want to create a class that runs across multiple days.

This is common practice for holiday programs or camps.

How to set up linked classes for a holiday program

Step 1: Set up a term for the holiday program

A holiday program will typically run for a week or two weeks. Set up a specific term for the holiday program/s and set the appropriate date range.

Decide how the holiday program will be booked

Before creating the classes, decide whether families must book the full block or can choose individual days.

Option 1: Linked classes
 Use this if the student must attend all selected days. For example, Monday to Friday intensive lessons. When multiple days are ticked at once in Class Builder, First Class treats it as one linked class, so the student is enrolled into all selected days.

Step 2: Set up linked classes

To set up a class that runs across multiple days you use the linked class feature in the class builder.

Go to add/edit class and navigate to the class builder.

Start by selecting the term. Make sure you set up a term for the appropriate date range. 

Tick ALL of the days you wish the class to run across. This action will set a single class that runs across all of those days.

Important Note: If you run a perpetual program for your normal lessons, it is important that you do not create your holiday program classes as perpetual. 

Option 2: Individual classes
 Use this if families can choose only certain days, such as Monday only, or Monday and Wednesday. In this case, create each day as its own separate class.

Pricing Holiday Bookings Correctly

Before opening holiday program bookings, confirm how the program should be priced. Pricing depends mainly on whether the holiday program is set up as a linked class or as individual day bookings.

1. Understand how linked holiday classes charge

If you create a linked holiday class by selecting multiple days at once, First Class treats it as one linked booking, but the price is still based on the per-class price multiplied by the number of sessions.

For example, if the class price is $24 per class and the linked holiday program includes 3 sessions, the customer would be charged:

$24 × 3 = $72

If you wish to have a fixed price for a linked class, the best option is to use the per term pricing.

For example, if you set the linked class as per term pricing type and the amount as $100 the customer would be charged a flat rate of $100 and be booked into all the classes linked under that holiday program. 

3. Use Class Builder to create the classes

Go to:

Classes → Add/Edit Class → Class Builder

Then complete the setup:

1. Select the holiday program term.

2. Choose the day or days.

3. Add the start time.

4. Set the duration.

5. Select the level.

6. Add the instructor, if known.

7. Add the pool area/lane, if required.

8. Check capacity and online availability.

9. Save the class.

Class Builder can be accessed from the top button or by scrolling to the Class Builder section at the bottom of the Add/Edit Class page.

4. Check online availability

This is an important step.

First Class has two capacity settings:

Max capacity = the real class capacity.
 Online availability = the number of places parents can book online.

If online availability is set to 0, the class may exist, but parents will not be able to book into it online. So make sure online availability matches the number of places you want available through the parent portal/app.

You can also check the default settings under:

Settings → Class Setup → Levels

This helps ensure new classes do not accidentally default to 0 online availability.

5. Keep classes offline until ready

When creating the holiday program, it is best to keep classes offline while you are still building and checking the schedule.

Once everything is ready, turn the relevant classes online so parents can book through the app or portal.

6. Check discount settings

If normal term discounts should not apply to holiday programs, update the holiday term setting:

Settings → Class Setup → Terms → Ignore Auto Discounts = True

This prevents the system from applying the usual multi-class or sibling discount rules to holiday program bookings.

7. Reuse previous holiday programs

Once a holiday program has been set up once, use it as a template for future programs.

For example, you can roll over:

June Holiday Program – Week 1

into:

September Holiday Program – Week 1

This saves time because holiday programs are often similar from one period to the next. You can also roll over from a previous year if the structure is similar.

8. Send booking communications

Before opening bookings, send a communication to families. A simple sequence could be:

1. Coming soon — bookings opening soon.

2. Reminder — bookings open tomorrow.

3. Bookings open — include instructions and booking link/process.

To send this:

Lists → Active Students → Select All → Send Message

Then choose email, SMS, or push notification. Active students are those with a current booking.

Final checklist before opening bookings

• Holiday program term created.

• Correct dates entered.

• Linked vs individual booking structure confirmed.

• Classes created in Class Builder.

• Instructor and area/lane added where needed.

• Max capacity checked.

• Online availability checked.

• Auto discounts turned off if needed.

• Classes switched online.

• Parent communication sent.