Opinions please - termly or half-termly fees for French/Spanish for babies and toddlers

[caperucitaroja]

Am a long standing mumsnetter but I've name changed.

I'm thinking of setting up languages sessions in community centres for babies/toddlers in the north east UK. I was thinking of charging termly i.e. 12 week terms but I'm under the impression that some mums are a bit reluctant to pay for 12 weeks in advance (my own kids are a lot older so their activities are very different). Pay as you go/drop in I don't think makes sense as it's a programme i.e. children learn new stuff and consolidate what they've done in previous sessions. I think they would lose track if they came in one week, were away for a few weeks and then came back.

Is six week payments the norm for pre school activities? Would you be reluctant to pay for 12 weeks in advance (after a free session) or would you prefer 6 weeks?

I think it would depend on what you have to committ to yourself financially in order to run the class. You don't want to be left out of pocket by having to, say, book and pay for a venue for several months or invest in materials to then find that attendance drops after a few weeks, and you have no income.

We charge termly in advance for Brownies, it's slightly older children, but primary school age.

Thanks sued
I can pay a venue monthly in arrears. Maybe parents are just really looking into what kind of children's activities they spend their money on (aren't we all?)and are a bit wary of paying for a whole term.