studio policies
Scents in Studios
Do other teachers have rules on strong scents in their studios? I have an adult that swims ahead of our lessons and the chlorine smell bothers me. She seemed upset that I prefer she swim on a day other than before our lessons. What would…
Advice Needed Regarding Late Fees
I offered a reduced Summer schedule which many of my lessons took advantage of, paying for one month of lessons but spreading them over July and August. Payment was due at the end of June as usual. One parent in one reduced schedule group hadn’t…
Emergency Cancellation
I am sad to say that my mother-in-law is very ill and may pass any day. I sent an email to my students and parents giving them a head’s up. So if/when I have to cancel lessons, they will be ready. Also I did it…
Requirement Success
Sharing a requirement-based success story. I had a family recently whose two children never practiced consistently since they started. I told parents and children consistently the past week before spring break and week following that it wasn’t a problem, but that it wasn’t going to…
Late Fees
Do you have written in your policies, fees that are late incur extra charges? If so, how much extra do you charge? $20 late fee, no exceptions. My invoice says no places held without payment. I charge $25 if an invoice is more than 5…
Student Absences
I’d love to get feedback on how you handle absences from students who are ill. I offer make-up lessons or even extended lessons to “make up” the time. Also, what about adults or youth who are so involved in other activities that they aren’t always…
Family unwilling to comply with payment method
If you have a new family who doesn’t comply to the kind of payment method you specified, would you not take this student? I would rather not. I have lost students over this but if they are unwilling to accept your policies, things tend to…
Charging a deposit for next term
I charge by term and the ongoing students pay on the last day of the term for the following term. However, I don’t usually charge at the end of the year. I wait until the beginning of the new school year in late January. I…
Short notice lesson cancellation by student
I had a parent ask for a reschedule after only giving me 11 hours of advance notice that they will miss the lesson. How do I handle this professionally without causing parents to decide to quit? It’s already in my studio policies that they should…
Student canceling lesson with short notice
I wanted to share a difficult conversation success I had recently: a teenage student attempted to cancel a lesson 30 minutes prior, by saying they were sick. To me, this felt like a classic case of claiming territory, making it necessary for me to let…