I am thinking about starting a childrens' after school cookery class...any advice?

[bobkate]

As the header says...I have been mulling this over for a few weeks/months and think it could work, other than the fact I have no business experience, no skills to create a website and can't find much info on the net as to what I would need to do beforehand.
Wondered if there's anyone who could offer some pointers.
I am dbs checked ( work as a ta in a primary school), love cooking and watching kids cook. My daughter loves to help me cook which is where the idea came from.
I live in an area where I am 95% sure there would be regular demand...and there's no one else offering this locally that I have found.
I believe I would need a food hygiene level 2 certificate and public liability insurance.
I was thinking of potentially two age groups to begin with, 7-9 and 9-11, with the sessions running term time for an hour and a half. Any advice on what to charge? Equipment and ingredients would be provided. It would be run from my kitchen at home. There is plenty of space for 4, maybe 5 children to work around the island.
I would do mainly savoury, with some sweet things.
Other questions...
Do I need a hygiene rating and any ideas how I would go about doing that? Google has not been my friend for research purposes.
Would I need to register the business somewhere? Do I need a business bank account or just a separate personal account?
If there's anyone out there who could offer any advice, big or small, it would be appreciated.
Many thanks, if you managed to get to the end of that ramble!

[WellTidy]

They make a savoury dish (sometimes fish, sometimes not)

[bobkate]

whattodo and alimonkey yay..thank you for taking the time to help.
whattodo I did wonder that, about the hassle of drop off and collecting, etc, but then I thought of all the sports clubs my kids do and think it's a similar thing? I have to drop them off and collect them.

That's a great idea about the staggered starts alimonkey...the bread example was great. Thanks.
I do feel that between my local friends and then via them, their local friends, it would be enough to get me off the ground. Would you feel the same if it were say a music teacher or childminder as in the home of a stranger? I do appreciate the point though.
I will definitely check on the dbs 're the transferability, thanks.

[bobkate]

MrsJosh I will find out if my safeguarding cert from school is transferable. My list is getting very long!

[bobkate]

welltidy thanks. That was v helpful. I.am also South East so potentially my pricing is almost right.
That's a lovely idea to cook and eat there! Love the auto correct and the sometimes fish, sometimes not!
sinkgirl thank you. I will be calling the council tomorrow for sure and hoping to get some definitive answers.
I would be surprised if I don't need some form of inspection though, which would be fine.

[cheesenpickle]

My son (8) goes, it's £12 for 2 hours and we pay in 4 week blocks. It's in a local hall so there are quite a few of them. They prep and cook everything there. It's straight after school,if it's a savoury dish they can eat it there if they want or bring it home. If it's a pudding or something that takes a while to be cooked she gives them a bowl of soup/ bread and they bring the dish home usually in.foil takeaway . The 4 week blocks are themed, we have had cooking with potatoes then Spanish,Italian, Roman ( we are in York!) Greek, etc. The recipes are emailed home every 4 week block.

[Reversiblesequinsforadults]

Dbs is transferable. You need to register it online and then people can check it if you give them the number. I'm sure your school will do it for you and may have already done it.
Don't get a 'business account'. They're unnecessary and costly. However, do have a separate current account for your business. It makes everything so much more transparent for both costing and tax purposes.

[ILoveAnOwl]

Just picking up on the DBS thing. You don't 'need' a DBS. Obviously it's an excellent thing to have but people should be aware that if there's no regulatory body/overarching company who is saying it's a must?

I taught at an after school type activity where I was 1:1 with children and there was no obligation to have one. I did have one, but neither the person I was working for nor any parent ever asked for it. My husband is involved in a sport and has his own business teaching it to children. There is no need to have a DBS, any safeguarding training or even any qualifications at all to be teaching this, potentially very dangerous, sport. We have put all these things in place, but less scrupulous people may not.

My point is, ask people! We often assume these things 'must' be in place, but it is simply not the case.

Also, your idea sounds great! We used to go and make Easter eggs at someone's house each year and I loved it. I would have really loved doing this every week!!

[StillWeRise]

mmm, I would definitely expect a DBS and I would ask, if it wasn't offered.
I get that you think it would be easier to do from your home, but having been a cm and also having done tutoring from home I'd seriously consider other possible venues.
Allergies- I'd offer to be nut free
special diets- you don't make stuff vegetarian by substituting quorn for meat (bitter experience here)
market- I imagine there is a fairly small overlap between people who would want this for their children+the kids would be interested+it fits with their childcare/work needs+they aren't already doing it themselves
having said all that, I think it's a great idea and I hope you can make it work!

[bobkate]

Thank you cheesenpickle, reversiblesequins and iloveanowl ( as do i by the way!)
All very helpful comments and much appreciated.
Can I quickly apologise for any name shortening...I am on my phone and going a bit blurry eyed scrolling up and down!
Thanks for the non business account tip. That's particularly helpful.....and yes, I would absolutely have a totally separate account if I get them is thing off the ground.
Must go to bed now and lie awake no doubt for hours mulling things, and potential names, over!

Thanks all for your comments x

[godeeva]

Would you do seasonal menus or cuisines of the world?

[bobkate]

stillwerise thanks, I think would make sure my dbs is transferable and if not, get another linked to here. Even of its unnecessary I still think a lot of parents would expect it.
Any other venues and it becomes not so interesting to me I think. I can't see it would bother me or my family that much, to have it here, but maybe I would regret that cboice! Unless I make my millions and can build a specialised shed/marquee in the garden, bake off style! That would be good!!
godeeva I really haven't got that far yet...this is still very much a developing idea of something I have been thinking about. But I like the idea of using seasonal produce yes.