Checklist To Choose An Activity Provider | KalliKids

What you really want is to phone your friend and ask her to recommend a violin teacher, karate coach or face painter that she has used, trusted and liked. Great – word of mouth recommendations are the best but ….. sometimes your friends haven’t always needed or found these people. Don’t worry because that’s where KalliKids might just come to the rescue, taking three independent references from parents and checking documentation

….. make sure you check their proof of qualifications, insurance, DBS / CRB, etc.

We check these documents as part of the KalliKids accreditation process. If they are not KalliKids accredited then ask to see certificates – just to make sure they are the right person for the job.

Some music teachers may require previous experience of music reading or a certain grade and this can be true of all sorts of clubs, sports and tutors. Swimming lessons are an obvious example: fitting your child into the right class is essential to keeping your child motivated and learning.

It is just a practical point, but important if you are going to be driving to a certain venue weekly. It isn’t too bad in the summer when the evenings are light but try to picture yourself driving long distances after school in deepest darkest January. If you are driving – can you park easily? If you don’t drive make sure you check out that the public transport links are convenient.

Prices of activities vary hugely. Make sure you know how much money you are committing to spending. How are fees paid? Can you pay per lesson/ monthly/ or do you have to commit for a longer period e.g. termly? Are there any essential extras? For example do you need to buy specific clothes or equipment before your child starts the activity or can you beg, borrow or steal just until you are confident your child wants to carry on long term rather than it being a short term fad?

Scheduling school runs, football classes, ballet lessons and music tutors all in a school-term week is a skill in itself. Then you have to worry about school holidays. So simple questions around scheduling include:

• How long does the lesson last?
• How often are the lessons?
• What happens during school holidays and which school holiday dates do they follow?
• Are there additional classes just before exams, the end of term theatre or dance show or if the team does well, are there extra away matches at weekends?

The KalliKids references and feedback on profiles help you here but you may still want to speak with a Mum or Dad to understand a little more. No responsible teacher or club leader should object to this and it may give you a better understanding of how suitable the activity provider is for your child.

Maybe even you child could speak with a child of a similar age to get comfortable…you may really want them to learn the piano and it takes a conversation with a child who loves the piano lessons to persuade yours to go along!

This might give you and your child confidence at the beginning. Walking into a venue full of children you don’t know, who are being taught a sport you’ve never played by a coach you’ve never met is daunting to say the least. Even as an adult we would find it nerve wracking so try to make these first sessions as easy as possible. Stay if your child wants you to stay….

Alternatively, can you leave your child? Having Mum sitting on the side lines cheering might be the last thing your child actually wants (or indeed you or the coach)!

This will also importantly give you a chance to see whether your child and the teacher have a rapport. The chemistry between student and teacher is vital. A good teacher will have the skills to quickly build a rapport with your child and make them feel at ease.

Not every child is interested in taking exams in extracurricular activities. In fact a lot of children really dislike the extra pressure that exams add – but take away that aspect and they feel able to relax and enjoy the subject just for the sake of it.

How many times have we been caught out on this one! All the other kids have a lovely snack and yours is left really hungry waiting for you. It is definitely worth asking if you need to send your child with a drink or snack and if there are any rules around them, for example, no crisps.

Yes, we have all been caught out on this one too!  It is also really useful to know if the club have spare kit for you to use just in case you child forgets their trainers, tutu or flute.

Simple but oh so important, especially with a little one in tow.