Does anyone out there run Monkey Music classes or similar?

[TwinkleInSantasEye]

I've been looking into buying one of these franchises. I've searched on Mumsnet and found the names of several groups to look into. But I had already been pointed towards Monkey Music and I've received a pack and application form. I'm just wondering whether you have to have experience of teaching/working with young children to get accepted as a franchisee. I have neither unfortunately, but I am a trained musician and very keen on getting children interested in music from a young age. My own DS is 4 months.

Why don't you set up your own? If you had an informal gathering at first with friends to see how it would work then move from there. I know someone who has started one up with kids cooking, she's doing really really well and has moved from her own house to a church hall.

Yes why not set up your own?

Don't Monkey Music just play tapes to the children anyway rather than having people play music? Maybe I'm wrong.

There is a tape available to buy but they do sing and play instruments. It's very good but very expensive (I think I paid £5 or £6 a session a few years ago)

I found monkey music expensive and inflexible when my nanny took Ds1 and DS2; ultimately we moved to another music class. No experience running a franchise I'm afraid, but as a bill payer I wasn't impressed.

My friend works for Jo Jingles and her franchise owner treats her very well. She gets £7.50 p/h which includes prep time and has already had one rise from the time she started.

A lady in our area has recently taken on a Monkey Music franchise and I had taken DS to a few taster sessions. I got the impression that it was quite hard work for her having to do all the admin plus run all the classes as I would imagine the two things require different skill sets.

I have to say that I didn't think DS enjoyed Monkey Music as much as Sing and Sign or even the free Bounce and Tickle Sessions at the library. I couldn't really see what was special about MM apart from the rather ordinary monkey.

www.musicbugs.co.ukmusicbugs is looking for franchisees.

Also, if you have an interest in baby sign language and can sing (you have to be able to sign because they don't use tapes) try www.tinytalk.co.uktinytalk

So I messed up both those links but they're www.tinytalk.co.uk and www.musicbugs.co.uk