Children's drama classes in a hired hall

Parents paying termly or monthly fees for children and teenagers, sometimes adults in a separate evening class.

Fees per child per term or month. More classes, age groups and a full hall mean more income against fixed hall hire costs.

• Acting or theatre experience
• Confident with groups of children
• Lesson planning and organising
• Clear communication with parents

• Enhanced DBS check and a written safeguarding policy, check what parents and venues expect
• Public liability insurance, and check whether the hall's own cover applies to you
• Licensing for performances, music and scripts, check whether you need permission or fees for the plays you use
• Check whether you need a child performance licence or similar local rules before putting children on stage in public shows
• Income can dip in school holidays and if numbers fall, so keep a fee policy for missed sessions

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on hall hire, insurance, materials and how you promote your classes. Hiring a hall by the session rather than long term can help keep early costs down.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £2,500, depending on class numbers, your fees and how many sessions you run. Income can dip in school holidays or if numbers fall, so a clear missed-session fee policy helps.

Check for an enhanced DBS check and a written safeguarding policy, and what parents and venues expect. Also check public liability insurance, licensing for scripts and music, and whether a child performance licence or similar local rules apply to public shows.