I am currently taking over a dance school and we are reintroducing this class into the timetable. We have an ad in the local paper at the moment but we have had no response. We have 2 in the class at the moment but need more.

I need your advice.

What would attract you to come to my school compared to the school next door?

Any ideas about advertising? .. Do they let you advertise in kinder newsletters? .. would you look at them?

thanks for any tips it would be really appreciated.

xxxx

Laura

Alyssa started dance classes when she was 3 (turning 4) and just loves it (she is 6 this year).
I'll write a list of our likes and dislikes which might help you .

-Although this sounds silly, pink uniforms (my niece has blue and is actually changing schools this year, secretly I think this has something to do with it ).
-Dance concert at the end of the year (maybe advertise this as parents love to watch their children)
-Professional teachers
-Nice/caring teachers (her first one was nice but a bit strict with the 3 year olds which put me off).
- Pay per lesson not upfront (sometimes they are too tired etc to go). We also pay a $25 enrolment fee.
- Dance to childrens music, our school has Hi5, Fairies, Barney etc.
- At the end of each term we have a parents session where we get to watch and participate.

I would consider advertising in School Newsletters, maybe signs up at child care centres. Also do you have a local Parenting Newspaper?
Hope that helps .

Well, I'm not really in your target market yet cos Charlotte is only at the pre-fairy stage, but I love the way you described the classes above as Fairy classes ! How cute !

I would probably choose on the basis of a. how well I think the teachers are at running a class for children of that age, and b. how professional the business is (e.g. a nicely set up studio, professional marketing materials etc). And a cute picture with a fairy in it would probably win me over too !

Good luck - I love the idea

Thank you so much ... your answers were great, and so helpful.
I have jotted these down to help


Anyone else got anything they would be looking for?

Yea some where Nth Brisbane....lol

maybe a bring a friend class or a free trial class before they sign up.... just so people can get an idea of what it is about before committing.

Thanks Anna.

I think lib and renee' my life wouldn't be worth living if i dared to move up away from the grandparents. They would probably ask for me to leave Chloe ( and the next one behind). My mum needs to see chloe every second day! ahhaha

i should get off my lazy tooshy and plan a visit though

How about talking to local child care centres about going in there and providing a free class to their pre-school kids, and in return would they let you drop a leaflet into each of the kids who participated's box saying "your child has participated in a fairy (and elves?) class, if they enjoyed it why not bring them every week! '.

Does the dance school have a website? I know it sounds obvious, but a lot of parents these days would be researching classes to send their children to via the net.

If I were looking to enrol my child in such a class, the first thing I would do is jump on the web and have a google to see what came up in my area. If the school had a really nice, professional looking site with a section on the kinder classes that was appealing, it would go a long way toward influencing my decision to go there.

Definately the first class free (like a trial) It turns me off when i have to pay up front and i don't know whether my daughter is going to enjoy it - watching it she says she will, but doing it was another matter!!

The kinder dance class we attended had no uniform and that was great - we didn't have to fork out loads of money of uniforms.....all the girls tended to wear dress up fairy costumes or tutus...

Maybe you could have the dress ups there that they could put on before the class..??

The class was also very freestyle - there was definately teaching but a lot of freestyle dancing - the kids taking turns watching one another (learning to be a performer and an audience member....

They learnt skills that were required for the older classes - like skipping and side skipping and hopping and stamping and walking on toes and balancing etc etc...

They danced to music like High-5, Wiggles, Justin Clarke.

I love pay as you go but i know that would be hard as far as how many in the class and making money - so instead what about make up lessons.....if they miss one due to illness, tiredness etc they can do another one on another day (assuming there is space in the class) within that term!!

WSe had themes - one week was colours, one was farm animals, one was celebrations, gardens, animals etc. That way the theme of the lesson was based around that theme - the music, the actions, the dancing.....

The kids ALWAYS got a sticker at the end for great participation.

Why did we leave - because the concert term was ridiculous - i would have loved to see Rachel on the stage in the concert. But after having such an informal casual kind of lesson why did she all of a sudden have to have her hair in a certain way, wearing makeup, Number 5 lipstick, rehearsal day at the school, rehearsal day at the venue, photo afternoon (which they MUST attend).....it went a litle crazy!!!

Good luck with your venture - it sounds wonderful!!

Could you have an open day where the kids can come and try??

Nadine

Laura - When I'm looking for activities for the kids I always look in Sydney's Child first.

Here is a link: http://www.melbourneschild.com.au/

Then School Newsletter's, noticeboards, letterbox fliers and word of mouth.

I like when they allow you to trial the first class free.

Speak to Mother's Groups, leave some fliers at your nearest fairy shops and Bloch/Dancewear shops.

Thank you everyone, that is fantastic. Nadine thank you so much for all that information. I had already planned out most of what you had suggested which has made me feel really happy that i am on the right tract.

I love the theme ideas though.

I already have fairy skirts wands and wizard out fits so hopefully that will aid in it being a little more care free, and i will certainly plan for it to be a free first lesson.

I must admit i was using myself as an example, as i had just enroled Chloe into her first swimming lessons. I got on the net first thing and found the best looking site, and the one that had as much details as possible... the huge draw card was that it was on the weekend which meant andee could be involved and the grandparents ( my parents are obsessed with Chloe!).. plus it also had a free first lesson to see if she liked it!.

I am just going to go and looking at that website Telle.

Thank you everyone

xxx

I am surprised you were surprised abut this.

If a child is to be part of a concert they have to be part of the concert!

You can't just turn up and do your own thing on the stage.

I am really, truly surprised someone would leave a school because their child had to have a rehearsal for a concert and do their hair to match their group.

I am trying to find a tiny-tots class for Tara because she loves dance. but I want particular things, and right now, have not found anything that fits

*something from 2 years up (tinytots under the age of three love dance too - it does not have to be overly structured learning how to pirouette perfectly!)
*no uniform, conformity with pink etc. Let them wear whatever they want
*no makeup for under 4s. I mean, seriously!
*fun! Learning to move and play with music. I want a dance class, but not a kindergym.
*parents must be in the room, and even up until 3 can participate
*not too expensive $200 for a term for a 2 year old is obscene
*fun fun fun....

I have found one place that sounded great - until the fees... found another place that advertised from 2 year olds, but then on their website say only from 3 up... Another place the kids had to wear pink leotards and skirts. I don't mind her wearing a dance constume, but why do they have to be in unison at 3? (or even if they do, why on earth does it always have to be pink?)

I love the idea of fairies and wizard dancing class... that would be Tara's kind of thing

I always check the pre school notice board for interesting activities.
Great website definately.
Trial class for sure.
Fun factor must be high as well - Holly's ballet class was far to strict for 3 year olds. If they didn't do exactly what they were asked then they tended to be excluded.
Staff must be very very happy and friendly



because most little girls all LOVE pink!! Holly absolutely adores her pink skirt / leotard combo. For her putting it on makes the difference between going to her dance class or dressing up in her sequins or other dance costumes that she has and going for it at home.

FYI

Tara has a purple tutu..... that should be fine for a 2 - 3 year old!! LOL

and don't get me started on the excessive use of makeup with a tiny tot!

good luck Laura!

I look for a dance school with structure and progression through the years/levels for professional development if my child chooses. I want professional, well trained dancers as teachers. I don't mind uniforms, the school I have in mind have navy or black leotards with a pink chiffon skirt for the juniors. It definitely has to be fun and interesting, but I want them to learn something too.

This is what the school's website says about that class: