Early Arrivals

Author: admin

11 Mar

Like I’ve talked about before, I teach from home. So it really irks me when the first student of the day shows up for lessons early. I feel like I have to answer the door because they know I’m home. And then, I feel like I have to start teaching because, well, what else can I do?

In my studio policy, it states that students should remain in their cars if they arrive more than 5 minutes early. Most of my students are pretty good about doing that, because they realize that when they come in any earlier, they are interrupting another student’s lesson. But it’s those darn first lessons of the day that I just don’t know what to do about!

I am thinking of posting a note on my door that says something like this:

Piano Students: If you arrive for your lesson early, please remain in your car. I will not open my door until your lesson time begins.

Is it too harsh? Is it inappropriate? What are your thoughts? What have you done to fix similar situations?

Filed under: Business

3 Responses for "Early Arrivals"

Laura March 11th, 2009 at 8:15 pm 1
My first thought is that this is a great problem to have! How early is the student coming? If it’s not more than 10 minutes, I’d just direct them to the piano then say, “You’ve got a few minute until time for your lesson to start, so why don’t you warm up? I’ll be with you at 3:00,” or whatever time you’re supposed to start. Then, go to another room in your house and leave them to warm up. If it is more than 10 minutes, then I’d have a talk with the parent and explain that until 2:55, you are not open for business. It may be that they are coming straight from school or some other appointment, and they just have nowhere else to go. Whatever you do, if you do start early, finish early, too. Otherwise, they’re getting more instruction time without paying for it.
Atara March 12th, 2009 at 4:36 am 2
I actually had a sign on my door until about a week ago. Now they all do great! It said, “Mrs. ____ will be with you at your lesson time. Please wait on the porch.”
It totally worked!
I used to let them come in early but it’s so distracting to the current student plus I think people are just being nosy.
If they try to come in early, I’d say, “I need a few more minutes please! I’ll be with you shortly. Thank you!” And they wait on the porch.
Wendy March 12th, 2009 at 7:21 am 3
This is not harsh at all. You are teaching them to respect you, your time, and time with your family. I’ve come to realize that I am the only person that can control people “stealing” my time. If I let them in, then I am teaching them that I am not serious about my policy (which is the same as yours).

Several years ago, I bought a very small digital clock from Radio Shack that I tape next to the doorbell. The students know they are not supposed to ring the doorbell until their time. It works like a charm! But, it will only work for you if you are firm in the first few times that you have someone test the limits.

Wendy