French teacher wants 2 lessons deposit.

[Cobblersandhogwash]

Is this normal? She wants £80 as a deposit for my two dcs attending weekly French lessons with her.

Is this usual?

I think it’s fair enough. She has probably had issues with none payments or people just dropping out so wants some protection.

Is that 2 per child or one each?

I guess it guards against last minute cancellations.

Yes. I see.

She also wants 48 hours notice for cancellations. I think 24 is reasonable especially with regards child illnesses.

both deposit and cancellation policy are totally reasonable.
she probably encounters cf galore...

Totally reasonable. With just 24 hours notice, she wouldn’t be able to fill the slot with anyone else. Isn’t it normal to expect to pay if you can’t make it (illness, holiday, etc) but not if the tutor can’t?

It's totally normal. My children have a Spanish tutor, violin tutor and piano tutor. All 3 have the same policy as tours is proposing. If you don't like it, don't use tutors.

Totally normal.
If you don't like her terms, find a different teacher.
If you pay gym membership you don't get your money back if you don't go, do you?

Totally reasonable. This is one of those situations where if you don’t like her terms, you go elsewhere. She is entitled to set whatever terms she likes. I imagine a lot of peo0e let her down or don’t pay if she’s had to come up with that.

I was merely asking if it was normal.

Yep. And we merely told you it was

Yeah that's pretty much standard. They have to protect themselves from last minute cancellations.

I'm a tutor. I ask for 48 hours notice of a cancelled lesson or I charge for it. It is effective in stopping people you messing around and cancelling because the kids don't feel like it that week or disorganised parents forgetting to tell you there is a parent's evening/ school play/birthday party that week.
I think people don't realise that it might not just be them cancelling and that it is very easy to lose a big chunk of income in a week. At least if they give you 48 hours notice you might be able to rearrange a lesson with another student.
I will occasionally waive the fee in extreme circumstances such as a sudden bereavement.

All classes my dd has ever done have been paid termly upfront. In the event of tutor not being available they allow some recuperation slots through the year.