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I am looking to start up a business out of my home, and am wondering what you think of what I'm planning to offer, and how much you'd be willing to pay for it.
I would like to offer a reading/storytime for preschoolers out of my home. I would spend an hour with a group of 6 - 8 children. We would read a story, talk about the story, and then do some sort of a project/craft based on the story. Typically, the books chosen would teach something about the world around us (science, social studies, morals). I would focus on both oral comprehension and expression, as these are the basis of reading comprehension, and school success.
While the children are working with me, the moms (or dads) could sit down in my dining room, where there would be coffee, tea, and cookies. They could relax and socialize, knowing that their children are learning in the room just next door.
You could come once a week, every other week, or just on a call-ahead basis.
I am a certified teacher, and hold both a Bachelors and a Masters degree. I have about 10 years experience working with children.
Would you be interested in this service? If so, what would you be willing to pay for it? And, just as a frame of reference because the cost of living varies so from area to area, about how much would you pay for a babysitter or a private tutor?
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer this!
I don't know where you live, but where I live we have an abundance of free story time choices. The library offers story time for different age groups up to 6 years almost every morning. We have a couple of book stores (one chain, one local) that do free story time. Even Starbucks does free story time here. With so many options, I don't think I'd pay for something like that.
With your background in education, you might consider something like opening a preschool, or drop in child care or preschool, or maybe a day camp on days when school is out.
My local library does offer a similar service, but only 3 times a week, 2 of which are in the morning (when most children this age are in school). Any other offerings are sparse.
The biggest selling point for what I'm offering (in my opinion) would be that the parents get a break for an hour, without actually leaving their kid with someone. They'd be in the same building, but get a chance to relax and chat with other parents. At the library, they have to stay with their child.
My kids are older, but I probably wouldn't be interested in something like that if I was needing to stay there AND pay for it.
From my own experience, I could see someone with your background working with school age children with reading difficulties, but on a one on one basis. I might have paid for something like that.
My local library does offer a similar service, but only 3 times a week, 2 of which are in the morning (when most children this age are in school). Any other offerings are sparse.
The biggest selling point for what I'm offering (in my opinion) would be that the parents get a break for an hour, without actually leaving their kid with someone. They'd be in the same building, but get a chance to relax and chat with other parents. At the library, they have to stay with their child.
It's a little bit of a bonus, but not as big a bonus as if I could run to the grocery store or something while you had them. Would you be aiming for kids who are not in preschool, or would this be more of a supplement for kids who are in preschool, or both? I'm thinking that when my kids were in preschool I was either looking for free or low cost activities to do with them, or supplemental child care if I had an appointment when they weren't in school. If the kids are in preschool a few mornings/week, I don't so much need an extra hour to have coffee. If they are not in preschool, then I could really use an hour or 2 to run some errands.
It might appeal to parents who have never left their kids with anyone, and aren't quite ready to.
My kids are older, but I probably wouldn't be interested in something like that if I was needing to stay there AND pay for it.
From my own experience, I could see someone with your background working with school age children with reading difficulties, but on a one on one basis. I might have paid for something like that.
I was thinking the parents might like a sort of "social hour" where they could sit down and relax, and not worry about leaving their kids with a stranger. I guess that's what I would feel more comfortable with as a parent. (Maybe I'm just a little overprotective?)
I suppose I could offer that as an option, but also leave the option for the parents to simply drop off.
I do work with school aged children on a one-on-one basis, but I'm looking to do something that wouldn't require as many babysitter hours for me. (I have 2 preschool aged children myself.)
I was thinking the parents might like a sort of "social hour" where they could sit down and relax, and not worry about leaving their kids with a stranger. I guess that's what I would feel more comfortable with as a parent. (Maybe I'm just a little overprotective?)
I suppose I could offer that as an option, but also leave the option for the parents to simply drop off.
I do work with school aged children on a one-on-one basis, but I'm looking to do something that wouldn't require as many babysitter hours for me. (I have 2 preschool aged children myself.)
Thanks for your ideas.
Maybe if you could tap into groups that already exists, like a moms club or MOPS chapter where the parents already know each other. Even just a group of friends or neighbors. That would appeal to me more than sitting with strangers.
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