About
CheqBook is the online booking component of Cheqdin, the UK's leading SaaS childcare management platform. Designed specifically for daycares, nurseries, pre-schools, after-school clubs, and activity centres, CheqBook replaces paper-based booking registers with a fully digital, mobile-friendly solution. Providers can create custom booking forms tailored to their services, pricing, and currency preferences. A live bookings calendar displays available slots in real time, automatically syncing with the daily attendance register and enforcing occupancy rules so centres never overbook. Payment collection is highly flexible: operators can accept cash, vouchers, and bank transfers offline, or connect to PayPal, Stripe, or GoCardless for secure online payments. Automated billing rules through the companion CheqBill module further streamline fee collection. CheqBook's multi-channel publishing tools let providers share booking links across their website, social media pages, and the free Cheqdin parent app, broadening reach beyond existing clientele. Intelligent occupancy management automatically tracks, analyses, and manages capacity against configurable rules — no manual intervention required. The platform also integrates with Xero for accounting reconciliation and Mailchimp for parent communications and newsletters. CheqBook offers a permanently free plan for up to 15 children, with paid annual plans available for growing providers. It is ideal for childcare business owners who want to reduce admin overhead, fill vacant spaces, and deliver a modern booking experience to parents.
Key Features
- Custom Booking Forms: Design fully branded booking forms with custom products, services, and pricing. Mobile and tablet friendly forms auto-sync responses — including payments and seat allocations — directly to the provider's account.
- Live Bookings Calendar: Display available session slots on a real-time calendar that syncs automatically with the daily attendance register, eliminating double-bookings and manual updates.
- Flexible Online & Offline Payments: Accept payments online via PayPal, Stripe, or GoCardless, or offline via cash, vouchers, and bank transfers — giving providers complete control over how and when they get paid.
- Intelligent Occupancy Management: Automatically track, analyse, and manage capacity according to provider-defined rules, ensuring centres always operate at full — but never over — capacity.
- Multi-Channel Booking Links: Publish and share booking pages across a website, social media, and the free Cheqdin parent app to maximise visibility and fill vacant spaces faster.
Use Cases
- A nursery manager replaces paper session registers with CheqBook, allowing parents to book and pay for childcare online at any time of day.
- An after-school club publishes its booking link on Facebook and the school website, attracting new families who would otherwise not know spaces were available.
- A holiday activity camp uses CheqBook's occupancy management to automatically close bookings once each age-group session reaches maximum capacity.
- A childcare chain with multiple locations uses Cheqdin's enterprise tools alongside CheqBook to centralise bookings, payments, and reporting across all sites.
- A pre-school integrates CheqBook with GoCardless to set up recurring direct debits, eliminating the need to chase late fee payments each month.
Pros
- Free Tier Available: A permanently free plan supports up to 15 children, making it accessible to small nurseries and new clubs without upfront cost.
- Purpose-Built for Childcare: Unlike generic booking tools, CheqBook is designed around the specific needs of childcare providers — including term-time schedules, EYFS registration data, and parent communication workflows.
- End-to-End Integration: Seamlessly connects with Xero, Mailchimp, Stripe, GoCardless, and PayPal, reducing the need for separate tools and manual data re-entry.
- No-Code Setup: Providers can configure forms, pricing, and occupancy rules without any technical knowledge, making it quick to deploy.
Cons
- Niche Focus: CheqBook is exclusively tailored for childcare settings and is not suitable for other industries or general appointment scheduling.
- Free Plan Limited to 15 Children: The free tier is capped at 15 children, meaning growing providers will need to upgrade to a paid plan relatively quickly.
- UK-Centric Platform: Cheqdin is primarily built around UK childcare regulations and funding schemes, which may limit its applicability for providers in other countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CheqBook really free to use?
Yes, CheqBook offers a free plan with unlimited access for up to 15 children. For larger settings, paid annual plans are available, with seasonal discounts periodically offered.
How do parents make bookings?
Parents can book through the provider's website, a shared social media link, or directly through the free Cheqdin parent app — whichever is most convenient for them.
What payment methods does CheqBook support?
CheqBook supports online payments via Stripe, PayPal, and GoCardless, as well as offline methods including cash, vouchers, and bank transfers.
Does CheqBook handle occupancy automatically?
Yes. CheqBook's intelligent occupancy management tools automatically enforce the capacity rules you set, preventing overbooking without requiring manual checks.
Can CheqBook integrate with accounting software?
Yes, CheqBook integrates with Xero for quick transaction reconciliation, and with Mailchimp for email marketing and parent newsletters.
