To ask for the money upfront for lessons

[Whendidshegetsobig]

In the last year I’ve started giving piano lessons to children as an extra job. The parents usually pay me after each lesson or one parent pays me at the end of the month as their child has a lot of lessons.
I pay for Dcs swimming, gymnastics and karate at the start of the month for the month and am fine with it, would it be unreasonable to ask my parents to pay up front at the start of the month?
How would that work if I or they were to miss a lesson?

If you're paying at the beginning of the month and getting a lump at the end of the month, then surely it works out?

It's up to you. But I find with money, it's better not to change what's working.

I would stick with your current arrangement. I think it’ll get parents backs up to pay for something they haven’t received yet. I know a lot of clubs do this, but they have direct debit systems set up and are bigger outfits.

You will then need to have an official policy for missing appointments. Nothing used to bug me more than having to pay for swimming lessons or nursery sessions when the kids were ill and didn’t even attend - but again they’re bigger organisations who have to pay staff, rent, huge overheads.

I would just stay as you are. If little Johnny’s Mum is in two minds about carrying on piano lessons next term, it’s little things like having to pay upfront that will make the decision easier for her and she’ll cancel.

Yes maybe, seems a little unfair though as I do it for all her clubs and no issue with it

I think its fairly standard practice for music teachers to bill in advance, even a half- or full- term in advance. Its a good idea to draw up some t&cs and have new customers sign a copy. I think organisations like Institute of Musicians (?) and Musicians Union have suggested t&cs for their members to use. I wouldn't impose a new regime on existing clients, as long as they pay promptly.

I do a similar job - I charge termly in advance which is absolutely standard. Never had a parent complain. If I cancel a lesson then I either take it off the next invoice, offer an extra lesson or refund if it's the student's final term. Same if parents cancel with more than 24 hours' notice.

I have terms and conditions in writing so everyone knows where they stand.

Feel free to send me a private message x

Absolutely the norm to charge termly, half termly or monthly in advance. You need to decide on your cancellation policy.

Swapping if notified X days in advance is a lot more than what some activities offer.

If I was starting my DD in music lessons, I would assume I’d be paying in advance for a block (maybe a half term) of lessons.

But, if you have reliable clients who always pay, I guess there is also an argument for if it ain’t broke. It might be too much hassle but is it something where you could transition over for any new children you take on?

We always paid half a term, or full term, in advance for music and dance lessons. You need to update your terms asap to cover this, missed lessons, notice period and late payments.

I've been teaching for 35 years, actually serious clients prefer to pay a block of classes in advance because this guarantees commitment on both sides. Those who don't accept it are not serious and want to use you at their own convenience, skipping if they simply prefer to do something else on the day. And trust me, if clients feel you're in need they will do it,and tear you like a servant.
When I was younger I openly said this is my job so I only accept committed clients.
Now I'm truly too busy to waste my time on random classes.

Write your own T&C with AI, and if they get cross consider it an advantage it's not the type of client you can count on who is self selecting out of your life.

I would announce at the start of the summer that from September you will be asking for advance payments of a month/halfterm/term. I think half termly is fair, but you choose. If parents don’t like it, that gives them plenty of time to find another teacher.

Usually the deal is that if you cancel they get a refund/extra lesson. If they cancel, they suck up the cost.

Absolutely charge up front and make sure you have a clear cancellation policy. My daughter does singing lessons, I pay monthly for the following months lessons. For cancellations she will agree to switch days if its convenient but if not I just accept i have paid for a class that she can't do. The teacher shouldn't suffer because of something our side. If she is ill etc she either gives credit for a future lesson or switches days if we have a mutually convenient time