We receive many requests from tutors, venues and other educational providers. Because this website and our Facebook groups are run by volunteers, we simply do not have the resources to manage adverts on our website. Nor do we allow adverts in our Facebook groups because the purpose of the groups is mutual and peer-to-peer support and the group would quickly become overrun with adverts.
Home-educators are parents – if you want to “reach” them, then all the usual methods of advertising will be applicable. You could try any of the following: adverts in community centres, village halls and local shops; Newspaper adverts, flyers; Word of mouth; Facebook adverts; Google adverts.
We are aware that there are lots of fabulous venues, tutors and educational providers out there and we have had many fantastic experiences. Long may this continue.
Here are a few tips about how to make your offering home-education friendly:
- Be clear about the age-group that you are willing to work with. Most home-education groups will expect to book for a larger age-range than a school would. However, there are limits! Don’t be afraid to be firm about age-ranges, if that will make your offering better. An activity that was “stretched” over too great an age-range can be disappointing for all concerned.
- Most home-educating families have more than one child. Not all of them will be in your “target” age-range. Be clear about whether you would be happy to have non-participating siblings in the room.
- Be clear about whether parents are required to stay in the room during your activity. Bear in mind that if parents are able to stay, there is likely to be non-participating siblings in tow.
- Traditionally, home-educators book trips in a similar way to school outings (ie, one home-educator organises the trip, makes the appropriate arrangements with the venue/provider, collects the money from the individual HE families and pays it over to the venue/provider in one lump sum.
- Be clear about the minimum number of participating children that you will need in order for it to be viable.
- Be clear about your charges and payment terms. Do not be afraid to request payment upfront.
- Home education is a small world. Word-of-mouth spreads – people will hear about both good and bad experiences.
Notice that “being clear” is mentioned a lot! Many arrangements have come to an end because the provider and the home-educator(s) have not been clear with each other about their own expectations. Clarity avoids many misunderstandings!