Running my own music group for tots?

[Lawks]

1. How easy would it be to set myself up running a couple of toddler sing and dance sort of groups a week? I was thinking that I'd need a venue, I'd need to advertise and get people to come, I'd need to cost it, I'd need to sort out insurance and I'd need to have lots of confidence with singing and good ideas for fun songs and props and actions etc. What haven't I thought about?

1. What about if I wanted to do proper baby signing classes? I did 18 months of signing with my dd and loved it and picked it up easily. I've looked at the franchises available. Is there also an alternative way of becoming qualified in Makaton? Doing it myself?

I'd love any thoughts or advice, particularly from anyone who has done this or something similar themselves.

I've thought about doing this over in Spain where I am as there is nothing like that here but it hasn't got beyond a thought at the moment. Have you looked at Caterpiller Music as a franchise? we went before we left the UK and the teacher seemed fairly set up with her pack in terms of sing along tapes and scripts for the parents to follow. Good luck

I'm not in UK, so not sure a franchise would be ideal for me. Not necessarily ruling it out though.

I run pre-school music classes as an additional activity to instrumental teaching. I'm an independent operator, not a franchisee, so can only give a one-sided view of it from that point of view. However, I do know that some franchises are international as opposed to national, so if you want to go that route, then there are options. Kindermusik is one that operates globally. Not sure about signing groups though.

You've thought about most things so far.

Venues are one of the most important and you can source outside of the usual village/community/church hall - try sports clubs/pavilions as well, and groups similar to Guides and Scouts which may have their own premises. Some groups run in soft play centres which seems to work for them (although I think I'd probably rather sit naked in the street watching my feet burn, than run classes in any of my local ones!).

There are lots of resources on the web for ideas and themes for running classes - if you search for 'pre-school music lesson plans' or similar you'll come up with some interesting sites. Or if you're looking at particular themes, such as weather you can search for 'weather songs' and you'll lots of hits.

Sourcing instruments can be expensive - if you buy in bulk you may be able to negotiate wholesale prices. I have UK suppliers whose details I can pass on if you like - might not be so useful if you're not in the UK though!

If you've got any other specific questions then I'd be happy to pass on my experiences - I've been doing this for years, so have learnt a lot from my mistakes!

Thank you for all that info ShellingPeas (good name btw ).

Something that puzzles me a bit - doing a franchise is pretty expensive, but unless I am massively underthinking it, or underestimating how difficult it will be, I can't see how it is worth it.

I was only really planning on maybe two age ranges, 0-1 and 2-3 maybe? I'm not sure exactly what I'd be getting for my money if I did a franchise. I feel confident that I could plan fun lessons, get props etc.

When you say musical instruments are expensive, do you mean little shakers and tambourines and rattles?

I would go on a BSL course and then take level 1 and then 2.

I started with a private tutopr but then had to stop due to family commitments. BSL uses look down on Mackaton unless it's used for SEN as it is different (not the signs as such but it follows speech whereas BSL doesn't necessarily)

Your not in this country but there must be an equivalent?

Jo Jingles operate in my area but I don't know if you can run classes abroad....

Ahh, have just started another thread, but you've answered my question here Muppetgirl.

hiya, we go to teddies music club sessions they are great, drop in so can change the seeion time if running late or skip a week

you get a colouring sheet relevant to one of the song at the beginning of the session, 30 min of lively songs followed by a 'story song' where all the children sit quietly, captivated by large props acting out a longer song (A Windmill in Old Amsterdam, There was a princess long ago etc)

There are biscuits at the end and everyone always sings to a birthday child

I was interested in taking on a Talkfirst franchise and met to discuss but it just didn;t work out with my family at the mo. Looked good, they had lots of resources, you would need to check the saftey of any you buy -nothing from China with little peices that fall off!

They had a structure with clear plans for a year in half term themes with music (which was dire -I am an ex music teacher so believe me they were really dire )

The children clearly loved the Dexter puppet. ( good for merchandising too >)

I like my name too

I think franchise operations suit those who either don't have the confidence or expertise to set up classes themselves - not that there's anything wrong with that. I decided to go it alone because I am a trained musician and teacher, am far too bolshy independently minded to run under someone else's plans, and felt I could do it myself.

Much harder work than I thought! But... franchise operations are expensive because they do everything for you. Some set targets of the number of classes they want to run and they also take away part of your earnings. (I'm reluctant to part with my hard earned cash!) So, if you are confident you can do it yourself, then I would say "do it yourself!".

Good quality instruments are expensive - if you want something that will last the distance, being used by manic little monsters several times a week, you need decent quality stuff. Also, in the UK now it's such a competitive market that the days of being able to string together a dozen maracas, some jingle bells and a couple of tambourines and some drums from ELC have long gone. People want STUFF and lots of it! Perhaps where you are is less awash in music groups and you might be able to get away with less?

I started with babies - fewer props needed and bought the instruments/puppets/teddies as I could afford to from the money I got each week. I got a space at a school teaching the preschool siblings right after the bell went and so I bought a parachute, rainbow ring etc. because there would be toddlers.

I have made my drums from formula tins the mums have brought in, my puppets are from kmart and ikea. I have bought instruments from Aldi. I think people like to see what they could make themselves to use at home.

I now run 8 classes a week. I make a decent amount now that all my stuff is paid for and my classes are full.

Hi
I run music sessions and I'm with a franchise. I looked at loads and tbh most of them want thousands of £'s to set up, mine didn't. I'm perfectly capable of running classes on my own but wanted the security of other people around to help with any problems and also the fact that we can share advertising costs between us.Make sure you have public liability insurance and also that the venue you choose has a music licence, if not you can't sing there! I went to a Health Clinic to do a tiny baby session and they had only just got their licence through. I know that Italy has terrible red tape re franchises and self employed, as one of my customers wanted to start up over there and gave up. You need to be CRB checked too. Advertising is the hardest part, I think because if you're sucessful and working you then don't have the time you need to do flyers etc. Look out for the competition too, they can get bitchy if someone new is on the block. I found that doing networking helped, choose someone who doesn't do what you do and swap leaflets. Hoe that helps!