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Parents of newborns to pre schoolers urgent advice please

45 replies

Hh123 · 12/04/2015 11:15

Hi,

1st post so apologies for any errors!!

I'd really appreciate as much feedback and brutal honesty as possible on the following start up I am planning with my friend.

I have a ds age 3 and dd 6 months and am passionate about starting up a family friendly business which will provide enjoyment to other parents and their dc's.

We are planning on starting up a class which children can start as babies and will develop with them right through to starting school.

The basis for our classes will be imaginative play and will offer a variety of activities such as; sensory play, stories, arts and crafts, singing, dancing etc each week will have a different theme and our aim is to take both children and parents on an imaginative journey through each theme providing a fun filled hour of entertainment as well as lots of ideas which can be used at home.

We plan on charging £6 per hour for our class which will also include a 15 minute refreshment slot where parents get the opportunity to chat and make new friends.

We are in the process of setting up a website www.laughtertots.co.uk which although live is by no means finalised.

I would be really grateful for any feedback you have at all but particularly on the following areas;

  1. Do you think the concept is a good one and would be popular?
  2. What do you think of the website? does it work? What needs adding?
  3. Do you think the price is ok?
  4. What do you think of the name?? The other name idea we had was 'Make Believe Kingdom' which possibly describes the concept better than laughtertots but we thought may be a bit too long and not catchy enough??

Thank you so much in advance for your opinions and feedback. x

OP posts:
museumum · 12/04/2015 12:52

Also Gymboree leaders were performers with a children's theatre background. Something I totally am NOT so I liked their signing and performing and puppetry as I feel it's an aspect of children's play I'm terrible at.

Wibblypiglikesbananas · 12/04/2015 12:53

The price point depends on where you are. I've paid up to £15/class in London but then also attended Sure Start stuff for £1/class (or free if you can't afford that). I think you need to gauge what else is available locally and charge accordingly. I live in the US now (city) and there is so little where we are that people can charge up to $30 per class for many activities, so around £20. It's a wealthy area so people do pay.

Hh123 · 12/04/2015 13:01

We'd be aiming for a class size of 10.

OP posts:
Monica101 · 12/04/2015 13:07

I think you won't make enough money if the class size is so low.

There is a sing along class in my area which costs a £5, has two women playing guitar and singing. It is massively popular with 40 in each class. They do two classes back to back three times a week.

So there is demand for this sort of thing but I think you would be better off just having a simpler concept with songs, puppets and make it really professional.

PerspicaciaTick · 12/04/2015 13:14

So what, 4 sessions a day, 40 children, £240? It's not very much.

Hh123 · 12/04/2015 13:17

We're based in Chester and the venues are village halls but clean and well presented ones with facilities and parking.

OP posts:
5madthings · 12/04/2015 13:19

There is no way I would pay £6 for what you are offering, I pay £4 for my pre schoolers gymnastics class which is great.

Also is it £6 per family or per child, if parents have two or three under school age kids that could be £18, not a chance in hell of paying that.

Happyyellowcar · 12/04/2015 13:27

It sounds like a lovely concept but be careful to ensure you actually make a profit after you have paid for the venue, refreshments and resources. Also ongoing costs such as advertising, insurance and website can all really add up. Presumably you would like to have some money left over for yourself? Good luck though!

Happyyellowcar · 12/04/2015 13:29

Sorry to post twice but if you can get into the parties market then you can charge more for those and add an extra side to your business.

BeansInBoots · 12/04/2015 13:29

It sound great, but tbh we go to a church toddler group, a singing group at a library and a sure start centre (each for at least an hour, on different mornings, with stuff suitable for all ages- 2yo and 8mo here) completly for free, and come out with the same result.

however there will be a certain amount of exclusivity because of the £6, even if siblings were half price that would be £9 for me for 45 mins and a cuppa.. I can't afford it.
I know people who pay this +++ (live in South east!) who love it, and feel it's the only way to do 'toddler' groups.

It might be worth putting your area in the subject title to get some more specific responses re the price? In this area that's cheap/ average for what id bundle together as 'yummy mummy toddlers' but where you are that could be a weeks wages! You get the idea..

Monica101 · 12/04/2015 13:35

I think if it's small classes you will have to ask for termly payment as a few no shows and you won't make enough.

BertieBotts · 12/04/2015 13:43

Beans the website says it's in Chester. So NW.

Hh123 · 12/04/2015 13:46

Happyyellowcar

Fantastic idea re parties, thanks. x

OP posts:
Mama1980 · 12/04/2015 13:52

I think the concept is a good one, but I'm not really sure how it would be different from what I do at home. (My youngest are 1 and 2 years)
We do sensory gym classes along specific themes, eg last months space. In a space which incorporates gymnastics as well. The classes are a hour no break and my children both love them.
It only costs £4 though and the only reason we do it is that it offers the gym stuff, slides, ball pit, balance, things to climb, glow lights etc that I just don't have at a home.
I don't think your website really shows what you offer that is special/that I could not do myself.
For me personally I would prefer no break (personally socialising is not a reason I go) but maybe tag time onto the end? Or offer squash then?

Hh123 · 13/04/2015 14:53

Do you feel this explains the concept a bit better and sets it apart from the free playgroups??

Travel with Laughter Tots to the MAKE BELIEVE KINGDOM where each session takes you on a journey of discovery.

Through guided, imaginative play you and your little one will explore a new, creative destination every time; under the sea, into space, down the rabbit hole and beyond.

Our unique programme has been developed using the advice of education and childcare professionals to ensure that all 7 areas of learning and development set out within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are met. Using sensory play, baby signing, music and dancing, crafts, storytelling and more you will learn new ways to interact with and entertain your child both in the Kingdom and at home.

Embrace imagination at any age...

OP posts:
Springtimemama · 13/04/2015 17:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hh123 · 14/04/2015 00:59

Springtimemama - Thanks

OP posts:
StupidBloodyKindle · 14/04/2015 01:36

Hello OP
I prefer laughtertots as a name but make believe kingdom might sell it more.
Definitely think you need a subsidy for second/third child.
I pay £3.50 a session (non uk) but in fairness that is a group not to make a profit, just overheads and small staff salary. But that is also nearly twice the time.
South, you'll get away with six, north you'd be better with £4.50 BUT also depends on how many craft materials you need and if they are included or you do a one off annual contribution. Also depends if parents are staying and supporting you.
Themes are fine....but bear in mind, you are going to need an awful lot so just sticking to fantasy ones won't last you a year/two years. Maybe you have all of it in hand but there are heaps of ideas on my first school, enchanted learning, woodland trust, uk seasonal/special days (it's not called that but similar).
So....off top of my head
under the sea - rainbow fish - saint saens aquarium music - collage /balloon jellyfish
jungle - monkey puzzle - bear necessities - jungle massage - masks

zoo

circus
pirates
knights
meadow
forest
beach
space

Is only 9 sessions albeit there is enough out there you could do a theme twice. So you need to do your planning well.
I used to do a sing song, a story, a craft, a game....if you need any ideas give me a shout. Also you will need to know what span of age you can cope with in each group as there are huge differences in ability - some preschoolers might be able to cut, others might have never seen a pair of scissors in their life.

I have seen some of these run beautifully and others are chaotic but if you don't try, you won't know.
Will look at your site in a wee while but wish you luck in your new venture.

StupidBloodyKindle · 14/04/2015 01:48

About us section..typo in laughter

Website is fine.

You are going up to age 3 so the mums will be doing any crafts thenWink so it might not need to be that elaborate or the kids will get bored. I like the colours on your site. Not sure how much money you have to put into this re. toys, equipment, that might be a concern if you have that 15 minute free play refreshment gap. Unless they are going to play with break the tambourine, shaker, fish/snake on a stick, mask that Mums made for themGrin A couple of really big yoga balls or big group puzzles or a parachute?
Fwiw I would have come and given it a try if I were still in the UK.
But for your costs you have to make them pay up front for the full eight weeks in June July or you will make a loss.

OutragedFromLeeds · 14/04/2015 03:26

I think concept, price etc. will depend a lot on the area you're in. I'm in London.

The concept would definitely be popular. It's such a child heavy area that any concept that has someone else entertaining your DC for a bit is popular. We have Gymboree, Tumbletots, YMCA, Jellybeans, Twisters, Fun Factory, Action Kids etc. all within a ten minute walk and they're all full. Personally I like your concept for older children, but I wouldn't bother with a baby under 6 months and probably not under a year. I don't think a newborn baby cares about 'under the sea' tbh.

The price is OK for older ones, but again not for tiny babies. All the activities we do, babies under 6 months are free. I wouldn't pay £6 for a newborn baby to be entertained because they would get nothing from it. For older ones £6 is on the cheap side here, most are £6-£8. Gymboree (and a few others) is £10 and very popular. Most offer a sibling discount, usually along the lines of £8 for one child and then £2 each additional child. Some offer a family rate, so one child is £8 and a family (as many children as you want) is £15.

I would be more likely to come if it was 'drop-in'. It'd have to be really amazing to make me sign up for a whole term. I tend to mix the more expensive activities with the cheaper playgroups. As there are so many activities around I don't like to commit to one all the time.

I would put the refreshment slot at the end. No-one needs a refreshment after 20 minutes. It will offer more flexibility with times e.g. those that need to get home straight away can without missing any of the class. With older children it will be a nightmare to re-engage them after 15 mins of biscuits and juice. Once they're involved in the class, keep their concentration.

I much prefer Make Believe Kingdom to LaughterTots, it sounds more 'special'. Laughtertots sounds very generic. There is a baby activity thing near me called 'The hub for bubs', which I think is the worst name in the world and it's still popular so maybe the name doesn't matter too much? GrinI refuse to go there on principle.

I like the website. A really fussy minor point, but in the pre-school bit, as an example, you use the word activities/activity 6 times in one paragraph, it didn't read very well iyswim. I'd also be wary about saying that the activity will vary week by week. You're asking people to sign up for a term of activities at a reasonably high price, they need to know exactly what they're getting. I would want to see a full term plan e.g.

week 1 - under the sea - fun with puppets, stories and songs
week 2 - teddy bears picnic - role play, stories and songs
week 3 - down at the farm - sticking and painting, stories and songs

I would also try and make the majority of the session consistent. Children like routine and repetitiveness. The different themes are a nice idea, but I think if they know to expect songs at the start, then an activity, then a story, then a final song it will be better than completely different each week.

I would also suggest (I know you didn't ask) changing the age groups a little bit. They're quite specific so you're ruling out anyone with more than one child really. You have a 6 month old and a 3 year old, which class would you attend? You can't take a 3 year old to a class full of newborns can you? You could maybe take the baby along to an older class, but once she is crawling/walking she'll be in the way of the bigger ones. I'd maybe do 'babies' (under 1's only, to cater to the PFB market) and then 'big kids' (babies welcome too).

If you really want to do specific age groups I'd alter the grouping a little bit. I'd probably do under 1's, 2-3 year olds and 3+. I think the ability gap between a 6 month old and an 18 month old is too big and the same between an 18 month old and a 3 year old.

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