Thinking about starting an Art Co Op for lower elementary come this fall. Not so much Art Instruction just a fun and create outlet. I will probably have it at a room in my church so there will be no charge there- And while I want to keep costs down feel the need to charge minimally to cover costs of the supplies. Any advice??
I wish there were something like that around here. Everything is for older kids or for kids who actually have an artistic bone in their body. My son likes "fun stuff" (things that require no minimum skill level, make a big mess, take up too much room when finished, etc.)
Where are you? That sounds great!!! I buy all my art stuff at AC moore when they have coupons, plus I have their rewards card so I get some money back...
We do this at my house. The other mom teaches and we bring our own supplies if she doesn't have them. You could have a materials fee or something.
Glad to hear you are starting a co-op. It can sure be a lot of fun. The early elementary age is so much fun to teach. I have a couple of suggestions. It is important that the parents have an vested interest, more than it just being a wonderful place for their children. From my experience, monetary interest seems to work. Just a couple dollars a week, paid in advance, is usually enough. If parents don't have a vested interest, they will flake, not show up just because they don't feel like it. You may not have that problem, but we sure did. We even had that problem with field trips. Many people would sign up and sometimes no one would show up. Also, delegate. I found preparing snacks totally stressed me. Most moms were happy to bring snacks. Delegate what you don't like doing. Usually there is someone who will not mind doing it. One thing we did that most parents and kids liked was having a group assembly with everyone including moms. Someone musical lead everyone in a song or two. Usually the songs were patriotic. Also, someone led everyone in the Pledge of Allegence and prayer.
The co-op we will be using next year is almost free. The semester will be Aug-Dec, 16 weeks, once a week. My kids will each take 3 classes. There is a $10 charge per family to take any classes per semester. (I'm not sure what this goes to, maybe the church where it is held or an end of the year party or something??) Then each class has it's own fee. I paid $45 total for my kids 3 classes each. (3 year old get an undirected playtime that costs nothing) The craft class they will both be taking had a $10 fee per child. It also noted they may ask you to bring in household items. (I'm assuming things like toilet/paper towel rolls, coffee cans, ect) Our co-op is not a drop off program. Parents are required to stay and help. You don't have to teach, but you have to do something. That's part of what keeps the cost down. I agree, charge something. Many people don't value FREE stuff. They don't commit to it if they aren't out anything. At least enough to cover your supplies. Maybe a couple of dollars more per child so you can do something for the kids on the last day. Pizza or cookies or something. Good luck!
I am doing a science co-op right now out of my house. I haven't charged anything, and the moms have been getting on me about that, because they know I've spent my own money on a few things, and are asking (demanding ) that I let them know how much they "owe" me. We're going to do it again next year, but it will be different. This year, I've been doing all the teaching (which was really fine with me; I've missed being in the classroom, and have enjoyed it!) Next year, we'll have four moms involved. Each mom will pick a science topic and teach it for about four to six weeks. We will probably still meet at my house, but that may change. It may be that we'll meet at whichever mom is teaching. I also think next year we'll collect $10 per person and put it in an envelope for supplies; when it runs out, we'll collect another $10.
