advise needed

[pixxi]

My DD has been on dance team for 3 years. This year she made it on the team again. I emiled the owner of the studio and said we just can afford it this year. She really wants my DD on the team. She said she is willing to waive a large part of the fees in exchange for DD cleaning the studio the nights she has dance. She want me to name a fair price I will pay for the classes. Dance is 14 and 16 week sessions costing max of $570 each session of classes. She also has to pay costume fees, competition, convention, prop fee, some travel costs.

Ideally I would love "free" classes (who wouldn't) since we have to pay for other costs not just the classes. What is it "worth" to have my DD (or I) to clean the studio 2-3 nights a week...$20-40 a week? Do we just take that off the cost? Last year dance dance cost about $3000 for the year (about $1300 was class costs).

We have 4 kids and money is getting tight. My DD get a lot out of being on dance team. Our family has been with the studio for 8years with 3 of my kids dancing there. So, we have a great history with the owner. I want to be fair but dance is just so expensive. What do I offer since we are cleaning and it won't cost the owner money for another dancer in class....

 

[daisyduck123]

Unless your DD plans on majoring in dance in college, I would not put her on the team again. I would just sign up for individual classes & let her dance that way. There seems to be way to many fees/expenses coming up that will strain your budget.

I'm not sure how old your DD is, but cleaning the studio after hours is something I would not have my DD doing in exchange for some of the fees. Since there are still so many other expenses with this activity, is it really going to help that much?

 

[Ericandjenng]

Actually, depending on the age of your child, I think it sounds like a great deal. It teaches her responsibility and that certain things are worth working for.

If she is a bit young (under 12), I would suggest that you do it with her and not for her--even a 6 or 7 year old can wipe glass with a rag.

As for the amount...it really would depend on what all the teacher would to be accomplished. Simple broom or dust mop across the floor, I'd go the lower end around the $20/week. If she expects a full-cleaning, bathrooms and all, get a list and estimate of the time that it should take to do it. Personally I would estimate at least $10+ per hour of work.

Good Luck!

 

[sritter78]

My family cleaned the dance studio my sister went to every week growing up (cleaned mirrors, swept the floors. mopped, bathrooms, etc). My sister got her classes for free.

 

[jenseib]

One mother of a child my DD went to dance with had financial problems when her DH lost his job. She had 3 girls in dance, and 2 of them took 2-3 classes a week. She cleaned every wekk in exchange for free classes. There are several rooms on our studio, so she did them all each week. She also broguth her girls with her to help. One being only 4 at the time.

 

[Magic Mom]

I agree with the PP that think it sounds like a great idea. The summer before last, DD helped muck stalls and clean tack to help offset some of her summer riding acadamy costs. She was 9. There is nothing wrong with kids earning part of the extra activities they enjoy.

How much would she have to clean? One room and a bathroom? or multiple rooms? That would make a difference in how to figure a fair price.

 

[dougsmom98]

I think this is a great idea and very nice of your dance teacher. You mentioned that you couldn't swing dance class financially and the teacher wants you to name a fair price. I think you need to look at your finances and determine the maximum price you can afford for dance and offer her that price.

 

[tink576]

My DD has been on dance team for 3 years. This year she made it on the team again. I emiled the owner of the studio and said we just can afford it this year. She really wants my DD on the team. She said she is willing to waive a large part of the fees in exchange for DD cleaning the studio the nights she has dance. She want me to name a fair price I will pay for the classes. Dance is 14 and 16 week sessions costing max of $570 each session of classes. She also has to pay costume fees, competition, convention, prop fee, some travel costs.

Ideally I would love "free" classes (who wouldn't) since we have to pay for other costs not just the classes. What is it "worth" to have my DD (or I) to clean the studio 2-3 nights a week...$20-40 a week? Do we just take that off the cost? Last year dance dance cost about $3000 for the year (about $1300 was class costs).

We have 4 kids and money is getting tight. My DD get a lot out of being on dance team. Our family has been with the studio for 8years with 3 of my kids dancing there. So, we have a great history with the owner. I want to be fair but dance is just so expensive. What do I offer since we are cleaning and it won't cost the owner money for another dancer in class....

I work at a studio so maybe this can give you an idea...When teens assists (not class help) multiple classes at our studio they may be comped one class (this is for assisting 4-5 classes a week). I would take the cost per year/semester and divide by the number of classes that are held. For example: you said classes are $570 a session with an average of 15 classes = $38 per class. About 5 hours of minimum wage $7.25 would cover one class with that logic....(not saying that the cleaning deserves only minimum wage, I would probably pay more than that, but for the purposes of the math...)

Besides that though...I would look at how much you can afford to put towards her dance. Take that number and subtract from it the total cost of all the extras that come as part of the team but are not included as part of tuition (since she'll still need to pay for comp fees/costumes on top of cleaning). The money left is what you have to pay for classes before she is compensated for her work.

I'm sure the owner will work out something fair to keep her on the teams she's on. She's obviously good since the owner seems to want to keep her on the team. But ultimately I'd compare her work to the cost of minimum wage per hour when comparing to how many classes to work in exchange for (I just noticed you said dance cost up to $570 a session not per class). Hopefully you can work something out! Keep us updated

 

[pixxi]

My DD is 11 years (mature for her age). The studio is big, it has over 4000 square feet. There are 2 studio rooms, a large waiting area with couches, recliners, benches, there are 2 bathrooms. Lots of windows and mirrors. I assume she's be cleaning the bathrooms, vacuuming and washing windows, mirrors and doors. Then maybe sweeping the studios and washing the mirrors in each studio. It does seem looking at other's post that she should probably get free classes if she's doing all that work.

Dance classes start this week, I haven't even registered her yet (since payment is due on registration). I haven't heard back from the owner when I suggested taking what she would think DD's cleaning is worth and then times that by the number of week the class is. Then we pay the difference.

 

[tink576]

My DD is 11 years (mature for her age). The studio is big, it has over 4000 square feet. There are 2 studio rooms, a large waiting area with couches, recliners, benches, there are 2 bathrooms. Lots of windows and mirrors. I assume she's be cleaning the bathrooms, vacuuming and washing windows, mirrors and doors. Then maybe sweeping the studios and washing the mirrors in each studio. It does seem looking at other's post that she should probably get free classes if she's doing all that work.

Dance classes start this week, I haven't even registered her yet (since payment is due on registration). I haven't heard back from the owner when I suggested taking what she would think DD's cleaning is worth and then times that by the number of week the class is. Then we pay the difference.

Cleaning would also possibly involve mopping the studio floors. They do that once a week at our studio. You'd be amazed how disgusting those floors can get.