Mini survey cost of groups

[McGingerMum]

Hello,

I'm thinking of setting up a baby group in my village and I have been to different groups who charge different things.

These are groups from babies to preschool and are often 2 hours long, with hot drinks available.

Do people prefer free entrance and having to pay for drinks, cakes and snacks for the kids, or say £2 entrance and then free drinks? Or perhaps £1 entrance and then £1 for drinks?

Do mums with more than 1 child resent paying more?

All thoughts, comments and feedback gratefully received!

Just an all in entrance fee.

How much it is, will depend on what your costs are going to be - room hire....... what you are offering in terms of drink / snack....... are you going to be able to get a grant for toys and equipment or will you need to by those...... consumables (paper, paint, playdough, etc)...... how many you anticipate / can divide the fixed costs between........ will there need to be a paid member of staff......... even things like bank charges, or printing costs for leaflets........
I think if you are able to offer a 'per family' amount, it is nice, but that will depend on all your other running costs. If someone has twins or triplets, maybe you could offer a discretionary discount rather than advertising it?

I help out at a playgroup and we charge a set fee per family of £2.50. That covers the hall, tea/coffee for adults, generous snack for kids (crackers, crisps, 2 fruit/veg, biscuits, toast and juice/water) and craft activity. You also need to have a buffer for weeks that are quiet and don't cover the costs or to replace toys etc. We tend to have a party at the end of term (christmas/easter/summer) where we do extra food and activities so charge a little more for those sessions.