My wife and I are currently attending Antenatal Classes with the NCT which are great but at first glance, around Wiltshire at least it seems the only alternatives for antenatal classes are the NCT or the NHS. The NHS around here provides just three one hour classes during normal office hours making them difficult for prospective parents to attend and is cutting back classes nationwide. The NCT on the other hand holds the classes during the evenings and weekends but charges around £150 for the classes. Both the NHS and NCT recieve critisim on the Internet for putting pressure on mothers that do not want to breast feed. So I think there’s an opportunity to start a business providing antenatal classes.
The classes could be run from home depending on the space you have and the class size you chose to accommodate. Taking into consideration the typical charges for eight couples the income for a course is approximately £1200 with a course lasting in the region of ten hours that’s a gross income of £120 per hour. You will of course have to deduct room hire (if required) and overheads to get a true hourly rate. On top of that there’s the potential to up sell baby equipment to members of the course. It is of course (as the NCT have shown) possible to expand the business nationwide.
The downside is that the majority of the work would be evening and weekend based, as it’s quite a specific topic it could quickly become repetitive and you may have trouble recruiting substitute teachers if you are not available.
To get started you need will need to become suitably qualified to teach the class (or recruit some teachers that are), you’ll need to find a suitable venue and arrange some marketing. The best marketing will of course be a good recommendation from the local maternity unit (however they may not be allowed to do so).
To differentiate the business I would offer a mid priced service and/or take a neutral standpoint on the key issues that other organisations are critisied for. That said don’t get me wrong our NCT classes are great and the instructor has not pushed any particular agenda.
This blog is about business opportunities and ideas that I spot, think of or hear about and think are useful and interesting. It is intended to provide ideas and inspriation for you to help you find the right business idea for you to then grow it into a successful business.
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