📝 Overview
Learn how to support pod learning by offering flexible booking options on Sawyer, and help parents discover your offerings on the marketplace. This guide covers what pod learning is, how to choose the right booking structure for your business, how to list your activities, and answers to common questions.
💡 Note on feature availability: Some features are included in the Grow and Scale pricing plans and not included in the Launch plan. If you'd like to upgrade your subscription plan or learn more about the different pricing tiers, please visit here. If you are a provider who went live prior to March 1, 2022, you will continue to have access to your current features as a legacy provider.
🎓 What Is Pod Learning?
A learning pod is a small group of students — typically three to 10 children — who join together to learn outside of a traditional classroom. Providers can partner with learning pods to offer programming, enrichment, tutoring, specialized instruction, and more. Pods are flexible and can be virtual or in-person.
Parents are actively searching for pod learning enrichment options across every activity category. Many of the activities you already offer can be marketed to pods as extracurricular or special options. By supporting pods, you can fill gaps in their schedules and provide programming that enriches their learning experience.
🎯 Planning Your Offerings for Pod Learning
Before you set up your activities, think through what makes sense for your business.
Determining When Activities Are Pod Appropriate
We recommend:
Limiting student capacity — Keep groups small to encourage close-knit learning
Embracing structure — Offer weekly or semester-long options that work with school schedules
Aligning with schedules — Work with parents to ensure your offerings fit their daily routines
Most activities you offer can work for pods. The key is positioning them as structured options that complement learning rather than compete with school hours.
🛠️ Booking Options for Pod Learning Activities
You have flexibility in how you structure and offer pod learning. Choose the option — or combination — that works best for your business model.
Semesters
Use Semesters for semester-long activities that align with school calendars. This option is ideal for recurring, structured learning that spans weeks or months.
Benefits:
Weekly or semester-long scheduling
Premium pricing options (weekly, monthly billing, and payment plans available)
Great for recurring enrichment offerings
Learn more: Semester & Activity Guide
Camps & Events
Offer camps or events that bring groups together for intensive learning experiences. This works well for seasonal offerings, school breaks, or themed learning blocks.
Benefits:
Multi-day or single-day event options
Premium pricing capabilities
Flexible scheduling around school calendars
Learn more: How to Create & Manage Camps in Sawyer
Appointments
Offer specific availability for one-on-one or small group tutoring, specialized instruction, space rental, or private lessons. Appointments work well if you want to gauge interest or test the market before committing to full programs.
Benefits:
Flexible one-time or recurring scheduling
Direct booking by families
Good for testing new offerings
📌 Note: Appointments are not discoverable on the Sawyer Marketplace at this time. Display them on your Sawyer widget instead.
Learn more: Appointments Guide
Parties & Private Events
Create custom packages for events, field trips, birthdays, and other small group learning experiences. This option is best if you want to offer concierge-style service with more personalization.
Benefits:
Fully customizable packages
Great for testing interest from families
Flexible for one-time or recurring events
More personal touch
📌 Note: Parties and Private Events are not discoverable on the Sawyer Marketplace at this time. Display them on your Sawyer widget instead.
Learn more: Parties/Private Events Guide
🏪 Listing Your Activities on the Marketplace
If you're opted into the Sawyer Marketplace, you can tag your activities to make them discoverable to parents searching for pod learning options in your area. Semesters and Camps/Events can be listed this way; Appointments and Parties are displayed only on your Sawyer widget.
How to Tag Activities That Support Pod Learning
Go to Listings
Create a new activity using this guide, or select an existing activity you'd like to market to pods
Select a Category for your activity from the dropdown and check the box next to Pod Learning
Finish building your activity with all required details
Click Save Activity
Once saved, your activity will automatically populate on the Sawyer Pod Learning marketplace page for greater visibility to parents in your area.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about pod learning or additional details that may not be covered in the main instructions.
What types of activities are best for learning pods?
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Any activity is great for a learning pod! The goal of pods is to help children learn and grow together with instruction from education providers. Whether it's tutoring, enrichment, arts, sports, STEM, or specialized instruction — if it supports learning, it can work for a pod.
Do learning pods have to be in-person?
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Nope! Learning pods are flexible and can be virtual or in-person. Many pods mix online and in-person offerings depending on their needs and schedules. You can offer one or the other — or both.
How can I find learning pods in my community?
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If you want to market your activities to parents in your area, you can add the Pod Learning category to your activities in Sawyer (see the tagging section above). This will populate them on our Pod Learning marketplace page for greater visibility.
Many providers also connect with learning pods by joining pandemic pod, homeschooling, and local parenting groups on Facebook and other community platforms.
What pricing options work best for pod learning?
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Semester and Camp/Event options allow you to use premium pricing features like weekly pricing, monthly billing, and payment plans. These features are great for creating recurring options to enrich existing learning pods. Choose the booking option that aligns with how you want to structure and price your offerings.
Why should I offer pod learning activities?
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Learning pods represent a growing market of parents seeking enrichment, instruction, and community learning outside traditional schools. By offering pod-compatible options, you can:
Reach a new audience of families actively seeking learning pods
Fill gaps in your schedule with recurring offerings
Expand your revenue with structured, recurring programs
List your activities on the Sawyer Marketplace for wider visibility
How do I market my pod learning offerings?
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After tagging your activities with the Pod Learning category in Sawyer, they'll appear on the Sawyer Pod Learning marketplace page automatically (if you're opted into the Marketplace). Beyond that, many providers connect with local parenting groups on Facebook and other community networks where pod coordinators are actively recruiting providers.
For additional tips and strategies, check out our blog post on supporting small group learning and our webinars and videos for more insights.