Can I ask your opinion on this idea for summer holidays please?

[2anddone]

I would love to know your opinions please on an idea I have had to make a little bit of extra money in the summer holidays.

I currently work term time only with a background in both primary and Early Years.

I am considering running a few different sessions in the summer holidays and possibly expanding it to other holidays if it’s a success (I have had quotes for all relevant insurance and have dbs check, first aid and safeguarding training)

My first session would be a 2 hour parent/toddler stay and share session for ages 0-4 years with free flow play, craft and snack included in a village hall. Very similar to any other toddler group you get during term time.

2nd session would be a make and do session which would run for 2 hours aimed at the over 5’s where each session would be themed with different crafts to make, cakes/biscuits to decorate, snacks provided and ending with a story or similar. Parents would stay and supervise their own children.

The last session I am considering is a 2 hour summer party for ages 4 up with games, face painting, glitter tattoos and mini disco. With party snacks, again parents would stay and supervise their own children.

My questions to you all are…

1, Do these sound good for school holidays and (assuming no work commitments on the days they are on) would you attend?

2, How much would you be willing to pay? The toddler group would obviously be cheaper than the summer party or make and do sessions as not as much to take home etc. I appreciate that it will vary massively depending on where you live. I live in a small town toddler groups here are around £5 for one adult one child to give you an idea of prices in my area.

Please give me your thoughts!!
Thank you 💐

£5 for toddler group seems a lot, are you sure. We charge £1.50 and that includes drinks and snacks!

I think you need something a parent can take other ages to. A toddler and primary aged child is a very common sibling mix.

Sounds great OP and £5 is a bargain - classes here in London can be as much as £15 (crazy I know)

I thought the same that it's a lot compared to what I used to pay but it is definitely £5! I was thinking more for the make and do craft activity session or party as they would get to take more things home?

I completely agree but just draw a blank when I think of something!!

Sounds good but as PP said above some families will have a mix of ages so a session that any age 0-10 could go to would be good

I'd pay that much (and more), am in London so used to paying high prices. But I have a 11 month old and 5yo so wouldn't be able to attend. I'd be happy with a mixed age stay and play, my 5yo still enjoys some of those kind of activities.

I have to say that it isn't personally something I would do. I only have two in primary school, so the second option would be most appropriate for us, but they are 5 and 10. I work so it's a rare day that I have off even in school holidays, and I can see my 10 year old rolling her eyes if I tried to take her somewhere with crafts and story time.

The 3rd option might suit some people, but it sounds like the sort of thing (like a birthday party) where I'd somewhat be expected to speak with other adults. I try to avoid speaking with other parents if I don't absolutely have to (sorry!). I also think it can be tricky to get kids that age to end in games and a disco when they aren't there with friends. Yes, you might get some come as a group, but I'm assuming it would mostly be individual families, so may be hard to get them to engage.

I'm trying to think of things that I would go to. We've done things like guided nature walks or treasure hunts, where they had to solve clues. I think that worked well as outside and they could engage as much as they wanted or not, but we still got some exercise. Or some sort of performance - storytelling around a campfire with biscuits and hot chocolate - we did one of those and it was good.

Sorry, I don't think that's much help as probably not something you could just throw together. You might have success with the toddler one (as so many toddler activities shut down over the summer), but would have to be able to bring older children. I think I just generally shy away from those sorts of playgroup activities now that mine are older - unless I could leave them!

I do know someone who ran a sort of 'bring your child to be entertained group' which was similar to what you have described, but then there was tea and coffee and tables and wifi for parents to have 2 hours to catch up on work, etc. with their laptops. That's probably not what you are envisioning though.

At over 5s I would assume I can drop my child off instead of supervising. And I think a session with craft and story time is fairly boring for children already attending school. DD would have loved things like science experiments, nature or animal topics or a forest school setting.

Friends would have issues as they have children falling into both categories, no use if they would have to stay.

For what you offer I think your price is too high. You basically just offer the room and resources, that's what a parent can do at home.

Thank you for your replies. I could definitely look into unsupervised groups the group would be much smaller but could work well.

I think you have a market for the toddler group- as a lot shut over holidays. However, many parents will have older siblings so wouldn't be able to come. £5 for a generic free flow toddler group is steep though and a lot will depend on the quality of your space/toys and resources