Recitals have had their final curtain call. Exams are on summer break, and your students have broken up for the holidays.
Now what?
This long summer break — even if you’re running summer camps, workshops, or one-on-one lessons — is the perfect time to tackle those pesky jobs that always seem to get bumped to the bottom of your priority list. You know the ones… like untangling those Christmas lights you used for the holiday show and never put away properly.
Summer Dance Studio Management & Maintenance Check Lists
It can feel daunting, so we've put together a list of studio management, dance floor maintenance, and maintenance tasks for you, organized into four handy categories. The checklist also includes key floor maintenance tasks.
Cleaning and Dance Floor Maintenance Tasks For Your Dance Studio
Have you ever worked in hospitality or retail and not heard the phrase, “If there's time to learn, there's time to clean,” or have you really worked in hospitality or retail? Running a dance studio? It's the complete opposite — you're usually so busy, you barely have time to learn, let alone clean!
That's why the summer break is the perfect opportunity to tackle those deep-cleaning and organizing jobs you've been putting off, especially on the dance floor and studio floor. If you own your studio or exclusively rent your space (no need to stress if you just hire rehearsal rooms regularly), here are a few essential tasks to tick off regularly as part of regular maintenance:
Check and polish your ballet barresMake sure they're smooth and splinter-free. The last thing you want is a dancer getting hurt from poorly maintained equipment, and good upkeep helps create a safe environment and reduce the risk of injury.
Deep clean all areas — not just the obvious onesWe're talking the tops of door frames, around heaters, behind furniture, and those mysterious corners that never see daylight. Sweep or vacuum first to remove dirt, dust, and debris before you mop or use a damp mop. Use a dry mop for quick daily passes, and a neutral pH cleaner for deeper cleaning to avoid harsh chemicals. Cleaner residue or adhesive residue can make the surface slippery, so remove it promptly. For stubborn scuff marks, use a soft brush after testing products in an inconspicuous spot, not the entire floor.
Spruce up your spaceFirst impressions matter. New and potential clients often judge your studio from the moment they walk through the door. If your waiting area is looking a little tired — dusty magazines, outdated posters, and a spider quietly setting up shop in the corner — it's probably time for a refresh, especially in entranceways and other high traffic areas where dirt and particulate matter get tracked in most easily.
Ask dancers or students to keep street shoes off the floor and wipe their dance shoes before class to protect the floor surface. This helps preserve grip for better movement and overall performance.
Time To Get Organized
Now that the studio is sparkling clean, let’s talk organizing. After all, clean space, clean mind, right?
And what better place to start than the costume and prop cupboards? If you’re anything like us, the moment a show wraps, the idea of folding, pairing, or even looking at another costume is enough to send you running. So… everything gets stuffed into boxes, bags, or whatever’s closest, and jammed into storage with a promise of "I’ll sort it later."
Well… later is now. And yes, you can absolutely curse your past self while you do it.
Here’s a simple step-by-step plan to make the process a little more manageable:
Take everything out
Start fresh. Empty the whole space so you can actually see what you’ve got.Check all costumes and props for damage
Look for rips, stains, or missing pieces. If anything needs repair or a wash, deal with it now, not the week before your next show.Sort items by type, size, or show
Create categories: group all ballet skirts, jazz pants, or costumes from a specific show together. Label as you go.Match all accessories
Check that every pair of shoes or socks has a pair. Toss or donate anything too worn out to use again.Test and maintain props
Got light-up wands or glow props? Test the batteries and replace any that have died. Fix anything broken or make a note of what needs replacing. (Future you will LOVE you for this one!)Label everything clearly
Use storage bins with labels (or even color-coded boxes) you and your team will love this one too.
Practical Business Administration
In a previous blog post, ‘Dance Studio Certifications: What You Need to Stay Compliant', we highlighted the range of documentation and certifications that dance studio owners might need to operate legally and safely (though requirements will differ depending on your country or region).
Now that your schedule has eased up, summer is the perfect time to sit down with a coffee and go through all your important paperwork. It may not be the most exciting task, but it's absolutely essential — and crucial — to keep your studio running smoothly, identify risks, and address issues early to protect yourself, your team, and your students.
Insurance: Double-check that your studio is fully insured and that all coverage is up to date.
DBS Checks (or local equivalents): Make sure you, your staff, freelance teachers, and volunteers all have valid, up-to-date background checks.
Bills, Rent & Utilities: Review your outgoing expenses and ensure all payments are up to date. You may also want to take this time to look for any unnecessary subscriptions or opportunities to renegotiate contracts and save money.
Studio Licenses & Certifications: Music licensing, health and safety certificates, first aid training — check expiry dates, document regular inspections of the studio and dance floor to spot hazards such as loose boards, and make plans for any necessary renewals. These records help support a safe environment for students, staff, and performers, and any serious damage should be escalated for professional repairs.
Staff Contracts & Policies: Revisit staff or freelance agreements, safeguarding policies, and your studio handbook. Are they still relevant? Do they reflect how you actually run your studio today?
Tax & Financial Records: If your financial year-end falls mid-year, this is a great time to prep for taxes, organize receipts, and tidy up your bookkeeping.
Dance Studio Admin
Get ahead of your admin before the new dance season starts! If you’re still using paper records — or clinging to software that just isn’t quite cutting it — now is the perfect time to shop around for something that truly works for your studio.
Our software, Class Manager, is a cost-effective, easy-to-use class management software designed specifically for dance studios. From scheduling classes to handling billing and payments, it streamlines everything in just a few clicks, so you can focus on what you actually love: teaching.
Whether you use Class Manager or another system, it’s important to ensure your studio admin is in top shape before the new term begins. Taking a bit of time now can save you a lot of stress later.
Set up your new timetable of classes
Add, update, and finalize your classes and schedule for the upcoming season so students can book early and avoid confusion.Review billing and payments
Ensure all outstanding bills and payments are collected, and everyone’s account is up to date. (With Class Manager, you can even automate payments, making your life a lot easier.)Update and review pricing
Make sure your pricing reflects any increases for the new season, and clearly communicate these changes to students and parents ahead of time.Check and confirm student information
Confirm that contact details, medical info, and emergency contacts are accurate. Consider sending a quick email or SMS inviting families to update their info through your parent/student portal.
Costumes & uniforms
If you sell costumes or uniforms through your Class Manager app, check that items are in stock and available in all the relevant sizes.
Admin might not be the most glamorous part of running a studio, but when it's handled well, everything else runs smoothly. Your future self (and your students!) Thank you. (And if you decide to make the switch to Class Manager, when your dance lessons start up again, you can save yourself, on average, 25 hours a week.)
Miscellaneous Studio Tasks Including Air Conditioning Checks
Now, we know that as a dance studio owner, you wear SO many hats in running the facility. Which is why we've added this additional section, for all the tasks that you also may want to get done during your summer break.
Plan your marketing and social media contentSchedule posts for the upcoming season, plan campaigns for events like enrollment, open days, or performances, and update your content calendar.
Update your websiteRefresh class schedules, photos, staff bios, and pricing. Make sure everything is accurate and reflects your current offerings, and, if relevant, add a brief note on studio care standards or venue features so dance floor owners can show how they preserve the quality of the space with the right materials and upkeep.
Only Got A Few Days? Your Studio Maintenance Quick Wins
If you're short on time this summer, focus on the fastest wins, especially daily cleaning, to keep your studio running smoothly. Here are 4 must-dos to keep your studio running smoothly:
1. Clean high-touch areas & barres. Quickly wipe down barres, the dance floor, and other floor areas like waiting spaces; these are high-priority spots that get the most traffic. A quick dry mop or damp mop also helps manage wear on the surface and keep wood or other flooring in good condition. Routine checks can restore appearance and catch problems in high-traffic areas before they spread. Also watch for excess moisture and sudden temperature changes that can affect performance, and make sure air conditioning and HVAC systems function properly during summer shutdowns and camps.
2. Check insurance & DBS: Make sure your cover is up to date and all staff/volunteers have valid background checks to reduce safety risks. Ensuring the safety of you, your staff, and your students.
3. Set your new timetable. Even a basic schedule helps avoid confusion and gets students excited for the new term.
4. Ask parents to update info. Send a quick email or text asking families to confirm or update contact details.
Book a demo with our team, or create your free account here.
