justifying high fees for kids classes

B

Biggie

Registered User
The going rate for toddler/kids extracurricular classes these days seem to be $250 an hour (save for those run by local non-profits), which I just can't get myself to pay (affordability aside). I can't justify paying that rate for my 3yr old to sit among 10 other kids "learning to draw" or singing songs or "learning sport". If there are 8 kids in the class, the place is taking in $2000 an hour. A lecturer teaching a class of 40 bachelor degree students in a local university gets less than $500/hr. I know there is also rent and material cost etc, but no insurance or even licensing/regulation fee for most of these places.
So, can anyone try to convince me that it's worth it to send kids to these classes? (I know, the places are nicely decorated, teachers are nice etc)
And of course, if anyone know of places (local or not) that offer more reasonably priced classes in south side or causeway bay, I would love to hear that too.
 
unfortunately you are quite right. I would only justify sending my daughter to gym class cause it is useful to development her gross motor skills which she is behind. they do similar things that she is learning in her OT class (at a NGO where she attends) and so it helps reinforce such skills. she does no other class. of course, she has two other siblings at home so she has all the stimulation she needs from them. guess if you have an only child, it might be a nice way to learn skills- both academic and socialization skills..you won't find anything more reasonably priced in south side / causeway bay is a bit pushing it too...perhaps south horizon (ap lei chau) you can...but no personal experience there...sorry!
 
I am of the belief that there is no need for toddlers to go to any class - except to stave off boredom and give the primary caregiver a break - but I think the discussion of what is worth it is extremely subjective depending on income. I see these as one of those fashiony frills things... if you can afford it, why not? (except I think too many of them might actually hamper a kid's development), if you can't, your kid will be perfectly fine without.
 
$250 seems to be the price target for any class that is going after the expat populace.

Does your child speak any Cantonese? If yes, then look into Happy Valley Community center; they have a lot of options at a fraction of the cost.
 
sorry, but i can tell you from experience, that there IS insurance... and you cannot discount the rental/management fees we pay. the first $100k+ that comes in, goes right back out again! rent (we even pay a reasonable rent), mgmt fees, cleaning staff, reception staff, teachers, insurance, supplies, decoration (it does cost a LOT of money to get a place ready to open), advertising.... the list is endless.

and you don't think of these things and what they actually cost unless you are in the business.

when we were looking for a space, we looked at a lovely space with huge windows etc in an office tower in New Town Plaza, and the asking rent for 1600'???? $90,000/month PLUS mgmt fees.

also, keep in mind that not all classes will be full... there are likely classes throughout the week that are not full, so that class with 8 kids is subsidising the class earlier in the week with 4.

please, please, please do not think of us as "money-grubbing".... we are not. we are only trying to run a business and hopefully, if we are lucky, have a little left over at the end of the month/year for our own pockets...i run 2 centres and have not taken an income from either for 18-24 months. why do i keep them going if i'm not making any money? (1) i am employing about 14 people and (2) the kids enjoy the classes.
 
and for the record:

shatin: $225-250 for 75 minutes playgroup (sometimes have a discount)
tsing yi: $200-225 for 75 minutes (sometimes have a discount)
 
cheaper class fees will probably only be found in places with comparatively cheaper rent...but is anything "cheap" these days? it all comes down to if you "need' the service - need in the terms of entertainment for the kid, practicing a skill (like my kid), learning a new skill (to add to your kids resume for P1 applications for some families) and perhaps what you can afford. there are plenty out there - even more if you speak Cantonese - like Howard pointed out.
 
LCSD also run many different activities for all ages in all kinds of neighborhoods. They are always free or very cheap. See http://www2.lcsd.gov.hk/cf/search/leisure/list.cfm?lang=en

Privately run classes tend to be priced much higher than government or community run due to all the subsidies that the latter ones receive. They are typically geared toward Cantonese speakers however if you make the effort, they will also try to accommodate.
 
yeah, i'm guessing the LCSD doesn't pay tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent etc.
 
I can tell you that it's pretty similar here in Ap Lei Chau. Have signed my 4 yo up for art and football and both work out to being in the region of $250/hr.
 
Do you like in an apartment complex with a clubhouse?
My 1-year-old daughter goes to the playgroup in our residence. It works out to about $100 per class, compared to $250 per class at outside private kindies.
I don't go bc I think she needs to "learn" anything in a practical sense. I'm not one of those moms lining up cello and Mandarin classes before the kids can even talk.
But she really enjoys being with other kids. She loves clapping along to music in a group. She's also learning to follow simply instructions (not sit at a table, now put away your toys, now go to the playmat). I see nothing wrong with it.
 
Carang -- which centers do you run? Just curious.
I have a relative who does similar (not exact) work.
And I hear you. If you rent a decent environment, hire professional, trustworthy qualified teachers (usually English-speaking) and buy high-quality, child-safe kids' furniture, toys, art supplies, etc. Well, it's alot.
 
Not all classes are of the same quality, in my opinion. My son attends some sports classes that are subsidized (for 10 lessons we pay $400 HKD) through his school, taught by local teachers--they're okay but they're not that great. It's good for introductory lessons to something he's interested in (he's a kindergartener) and he doesn't know the difference at this point but if he seriously wants to pursue a sport or any other avenue there's a time when these classes won't really be enough. On the other hand, my son was TERRIFIED of swimming and I put him in some good-quality lessons at the YMCA and he became a top swimmer in his class within 6 months. To me, it was totally worth the money--not the cheapest classes around (and the classes were also held in Cantonese which wasn't a problem for my son) but it's a trusted organization that knows what its doing when it comes to sports classes.

As far as toddler classes go--there are some schools I looked into for my son and daughter--especially focused around music or dance that I was like, "No way! That is just astronomically expensive! They would have to be serving us snacks on gold platters or something..." The reason why I seek out these specialized classes for my toddler is A) I'm not gifted in dance or music B) she shows a deep interest in both. So, for a fun treat it would be fun to attend a child-centered music or dance class.

We live really far out of the city and there are no babies my daughter's age around. There are also no playgrounds or public places for children to play in the near vicinity (nearest place is a 25-minute walk and is covered with graffiti and many of the pieces of equipment are broken or unsafe--very small as well..and there are wild dogs in our village that have been known to bite people). So, besides interaction with her older brother, on a day-to-day basis my daughter gets little if any interaction with other small children. I think it's important for her socialization for her to spend time with children her own age. So, I take her to a playgroup once a week and she LOVES it and it's fun for me too.

These classes are not all the same but the going rate is $200-300 HKD/hour. It's a specialized service in HK. It is not absolutely necessary to enroll your child in these classes--it's a specialty class. Years ago when I was taking private music lessons the going rate was $50 USD/hour and it has increased now that is about $350 HKD/hour. I don't think it's unreasonable to pay that amount of money for a specialized class if A) the class is of high-quality--not just the materials available but the interaction, environment and presentation by the teacher B) it's something that you can't replicate on your own and you feel will enrich your child's life.

But, at the toddler stage, there is always the option to organize your own co-op and get together with other families to share learning experiences--such as a home-hosted playgroup. There are quite a few people in HK who do this.
 
opening a new centre is so extremely expensive, if you do it right.... of course, you could have white walls with a couple of posters, a few toys and a couple of cds, hire "teachers" with no experience, no training plan the curriculum off the seat of your pants and open straight away with very little money... but if you want something of quality, it takes hours and hours and hours of design work, curriculum development (believe me when i say the hours stretch into months, because if you are good at what you do, this part is never-ending... you are ALWAYS looking to improve what you do!).... if you want good quality toys that don't break after one class... if you want a good selection of craft supplies and craft idea.... if you strive always to improve.... this comes at a HUGE cost!

even when i go on holidays, i spend my "spare time" away from my kids hunting for toys & craft supplies, cds, new books.... i don't take the time really, truly for myself.
 
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