Paying for unattended lessons

[LynetteScavo]

I was just wondering what's expected - DD has weekly music lesson, she only started with this teacher in September, and there's no contract - teacher has said I can either transfer money weekly, or monthly, or she'll just let me know how much I owe at the end of each half term. I've been transferring money weekly.

Last week DD missed a lesson because she had an injury and couple play- today I have Covid and can't take her (I'll be able to take her next week) and also I don't think DD should be in a confined space with the teacher.

So, what is usual- I was going to transfer money to the teacher anyway as I feel bad about missing two lessons. I don't think the teacher will expect payment - she's tagged DDs lesson on to the end of her teaching as a favour after I begged I think she's quite happy to finish work half an hour earlier.

Should I just ask her? If I did a sensible thing like that MN wouldn't exist

What a thread killer I am. Long post for nothing.

You need to pay, she's allocated the space to you and will hardly be able to fill it at short notice as a one off.

I think it depends on whether the teacher has strict terms and conditions or not. If not, I think a level of flexibility is implied, but you can ask if you want to.
I have arrangements where we pay upfront, or are invoiced for a term/half term of lessons. These will have fees refunded/lesson rearranged for teacher not being able to make lesson, but not if child ill, although they will try to fit them in.
Others, we pay after each session and these tend to be only paying for what we have. It is up to the teacher to tell the parents what the deal is.
But, equally, I have paid for lessons when I could probably not have because I haven't given much notice and I feel it's the right thing to do, especially since the way a self employed teacher works isn't quite the same as, for example, a hairdresser, who might be able to fit in another client. Not so easy to suddenly find another student to fill a slot.
Bit long winded way of saying "it depends". But you might also find that the teacher is more willing to cancel you at short notice if you frequently cancel. Not that there's much you can do about illness.

I take French lessons instead but it is the same. My French tutor says that if she needs to cancel for whatever reason, the agreement is that she will either email or text me. You need to pay her for lessons, it is not nice not to do so. Illness is to be expected however notice is still appreciated. Email or phone the teacher to tell her and discuss payment then as well, problem solved.

I always pay for missed lessons but the teacher tends to make up the time if she can.

I am an Incorporated Society of Musicians Registered Private Teacher and we use standard contracts. Pupils pay up front, usually in half term or full term blocks, and need to give 48 hours notice of cancellation, if there’s genuine illness we can be flexible though. If someone’s genuinely hard up we might let them pay weekly.

My Dh world expect payment. Lessons are paid for at the beginning of term. Contract signed. If enough notice given he will try to rearrange, but that's tricky as he has a big timetable and goes to various schools.
Over the years most parents have not argued...I mean they signed the contract