Teaching contract?

[Stella]

Hi, all. I am mostly a lurker at WC, but now an advice is nesessary.
My daughter's friends expressed a wish to learn drawing and painting, "like Old Masters". Their parents are willing. I have a studio at home to accomodate 5-6 students. So, how to make it look serious? I wish for every student to have at least 10 classes. Would I need a contract for that? If so, please post an example. Will a business permit be needed? What else do I need to know?Please help.

[CarlyHardy]

Stella,

To make it more business like, you might like to print up a flyer announcement of classes you'll be offering. Include all the pertinent information like

Class Name (Drawing for Teens) just an example.

Class Dates (If once a week include each date in the list, so noone will misunderstand that your class will last for 6, 8 or 10 weeks)

Class Time (2-4 or whatever. You'll have to make it understood that you do not keep kids later!! for some)

Class Location

Age of Students (If children, or teens, or older teens)
Number of Students.

Cost of Classes (Decide how you want payment and include information on this also. I usually ask for a deposit to reserve the child's space and completion of payment at first class)

Supplies List (can be handed out at first class or given when the reservation is made..I prefer that way so they have supplies at first class)

Supply Fee? if you don't include cost of supplies which you furnish in the Class fee, you may want to add a small additional fee. I never did this because I didn't like to ask parents to pay more for supplies. I added it into my price for the lessons and said
Cost of class, Supplies Included - $xx

When you take reservations, give a receipt for their money and do this when you take final payments. A simple one copy receipt book is available at any office supply store. That way you have a record and so do they.

It is important to have each parent fill out an application form (which you can print on your computer too) for each child with name, address, phone #, emergency #. You will want these to send out notices for new classes, too.

carly

[CarlyHardy]

Where I live, I wouldn't need a business license to privately teach in my home, however, you might want to check with your county government business license office and ask. Most communities do have some type of limitations on using business signage and parking on streets for home businesses, but that also varies from state to state, county to county, and even city to city!

If you want to purchase supplies wholesale for students, you will need a sales tax #. It's free but then you have to file a form each month or quarterly with the state. If you fail to file, they can charge you a penalty...even if you have nothing to report! Some wholesalers also require a business license for purchasing also.
carly

[Stella]

Thank you very much, Carly.
Today my first (free) lesson with my first and only - so far - student. She expects me to demand Rrrussian discipline from her, and that is very good, and hopes to be an Old Master one day :^)
Well, old masters were first young students.
Thanks again.
Stella

[sassybird]

Yes, thank you, Carly. I am going to be doing some workshops this summer at the city recreation center, and some of this information I didn't even think of.

[Alan Cross]

Good luck I don't think you need a contract, all you have to do is get the money up front then there will be no problem. When I teach out of the house I always have a contract spelling out everything....and my fee....don't want any surprizes!!
Alan :)