Setting up a Home Schooling Group

Setting up a home schooling group

Home schooling groups can be a wonderful resource. It not only gives your child the opportunity to learn certain subjects that are fun to learn in a group setting and provide another avenue for social connection, it also provides the parents of those attending children with all-important support and the chance to make and build friendships.

During my first year of home schooling, I visited quite a few home schooling groups that existed at the time in my part of the world. Though I met some wonderful people (some that are close friends to this day), the groups themselves were not something that I was looking for and seemed to be based upon free play only. Free play absolutely has its place but I felt that my children could do that at any time.

What I wanted for my family was a regular, weekly environment where home schooled children could participate in open learning activities. To create an environment for children that fused together fun, learning and social connection with like-minded home schooling families to share, grow and develop.

I could not find a group like that at the time. I knew if I had that vision, surely others did too. So I thought if I build it they will come so I did and they came.

I've since moved on from running the group I started after 4 years because my kids needs changed and so I needed to change with them. It was a hard decision, it did sadden me because I put so much of myself into the group, however moving on to other things for my kids benefit was also very exciting. I had to remind myself why I started the group and though I met some amazing families during my 4 years, I had to keep focussed on my children and their needs.

Please note: Home schooling groups and co-ops are not for everyone. Don't feel like you have to be a part of one. Like everything, do what suits your needs best.

Things to consider

There are things to consider before setting up a home schooling group. Here are some of them. This list is not necessarily exhaustive but a great starting point (don't be overwhelmed, take one step at a time - setting up and running a group can be very rewarding, I certainly found it to be):

I believe firstly and most importantly - what sort of group do you want that suits your children and family? This is vital because if you are setting something up to suit others and your own home schooled children are not benefiting from it (by way of style, lessons and so forth) then why are you doing it?
Are there any rules, regulations and laws that apply to where you live around setting up a group? These can vary not only from country to country but state to state as well. Get in contact with your local home schooling body if you have one or maybe even the education department and see what you may need to consider. Links to these bodies within Australia can be found in Where do I start?
I'm listing this separately because it can be important. Do you need public liability insurance to run such a group? Have this on your list of questions when investigating (see above point).
Will you get teachers and tutors in to run lessons? Again, insurances etc may come into play here so check that out along with things like Working With Children Checks, Police Clearances and more.
Will you leverage off the knowledge attending parents have to teach the group various things?
Do you want the group just for social connection and free play?
What community centres do you have in your area that you could utilise and do they have the facilities you may need? Eg: storage, appropriate conveniences, a kitchen, playground and so forth.
What costs will you incur and how will you pay for them? The cost of the community centre could be covered off by charging attending families a small fee for example.
What grants and donations could you be entitled to or look at sourcing from supportive businesses to cover costs that you may have (eg: art and craft supplies, puzzles and games, storage tubs, and a whole range of other types of equipment and needs you may have)?
Do you need an attending parent to be a qualified First Aid Officer?
Are you going to run as a community group, not-for-profit group, register as a group etc (for some states and countries, you may have to follow a certain format)?
Are you going to set up and run the group on your own, with 1 or 2 other parents or set up a committee (who will be responsible for what)? Who will be the back up if one of the organisers is unwell?

Don't let this list put you off, setting up and running a home schooling group I found to be very rewarding. We learnt lots of cool stuff, were surrounded by support, the sharing of ideas and formed the most amazing friendships.