Tactful Way to Word This???

you don't even need to make apologies, excuses, or "policies".

You simply say, "Yes, I do teach ballet. At this time, I do have a full roster with a backlog. Therefore, I am not accepting anymore calls at this time."

I think if you really want to run a school, you need to rent space somewhere.
Sooner or later word will get around that you will only take friends etc. and
to me that is not a good business practice. If this is just because you enjoy
it and do not care whether it is a successful business, than what you are
doing is fine. I think it just comes down to what you want out of this.

Just tell them your class is full. Just tell them that this is more of a hobby and not an actual business and at this time you are only teaching friends and family and if you decide to expand you will let them know. Let them give you their contact info.

If you don't have space, that's one thing. but I wouldn't be scared of strangers for something like this. I mean chances are small that some criminal is lying in wait to attend a ballet class with their daughter so they can do something terrible. Now if you felt these men had a child molester type vibe and no daughters and they just wanted to watch or something..or if you feel they'll take the classes and not pay, you can always tell them to stop coming. I WISH our area had a ballet class, and I would be inquiring for sure! Home ballet school? Awesome! My 5 year old asks about ballet all the time and there is no class for her. I'm thinking of starting to give art lessons, so I can only hope some strangers will respond to my add. But if you ONLY want friends, just saying so will suffice. Say you're overbooked with current friends and family students (won't seem weird since it's your home) and not planning on openings and take their info. If you just said you were full, I know I'd keep checking for your "next available slot" because I'd want my daughter to go so bad. You'd have to tell me straight up, "look lady, it's only for my friends" :)

You can honestly tell them since you work out of your home, you only accept students by referal - that all your students are either friends, family, or friends of the same.

"Thank you for your interest. At this time, our group is fully enrolled." Then, refer them to someone else?

Ah, Grandma T, you beat me to it!

I agree w/GradmaT just explain that while you appreciate their interest, you're not currently accepting new students at this time. You don't even hafta say you'll keep their info for future reference...that may cause them to wait it out & keep cking w/you rather than finding another dance teacher. Good luck.

Right now I'm full. I can put you on the waiting list.

I agree w/ Grandma T although if you say the class if full, they may keep asking "for the next one." Keep it simple and say it's just a hobby and you only do it for family/friends.

Added: you may want to tell your friends/family that you give lessons to to forgo the referrals...

Thank you for your interest in my school. All my classes are full at this time. There several good instructors at _____ _____ _____ that may have openings. I wish you all the best.

Sincerely,

Consider using the word "policy." Like, "It's our policy to only accept ....etc." That makes it sound more official, and not like it's something you're just deciding about them personally.
Good luck!

Why do the men scare you off? Did they bring their daughters? I think lots of men are out of work and have to handle things like ballet lessons.

Anyway, if you are not comfortable for whatever reason, just send an email letting them know that you have cut back due to scheduling limitations and that they should try (name two or three local dane studios) for availability.

Then don't worry about it.

If you want to try out these girls, just ask a mom or two to stay for the entire class (maybe give them a little discount that day). If these people are willing to pay you to teach their children and you need the cash, there are ways around it. Who knows, you may have a booming business one day where you can rent some space! Good luck.

Tell them you will keep their name and number for when the opportunity for another opening becomes available. Tell them you have reached the maximum number of students you can teach at one time in your home.

Tell them your schedule is full.

You have some good suggestions so far. What I was going to add was that you could always have a Facebook account for your ballet school, and invite them to "friend" the FB page. (Tell them your classes are full right now, you'll let them know you'll announce any openings on your FB page.) This way, you can see their status updates, get to know them a little better over time. Maybe these guys are stay home dads who are all about soccer and baseball and helping with homework and teaching Sunday school... you never know. Anyway, if the issue is that they aren't your friends (yet), this would be a more or less safe way to get to know them first. But, if you felt a creepy vibe coming from them, then for sure write them off. Listen to your instincts.

I totally agree with the first response. That's exactly what I was going to put. :)

Just tell them your classes are full.
No openings.
And you do not keep a 'waiting list.'

And as always, go by your gut instinct.
You do not 'have to' let any Men/Strangers enroll, if you do not want to or are uncomfortable with that.
Nothing wrong with that.
...It is your home. Your gut instinct.
If those Men on the phone for some reason, made you uncomfortable or you got a weird vibe, then so be it.

It is held in your home.
My Husband, likewise, would be cautious about that too.
It is not unreasonable.
Me... I get a bit uncomfortable with any Repair Men/Strangers in my home, when I am home alone and/or with only my child.
I have reason to be. Because, a home I once lived in, was invaded WHILE I was HOME.... by myself, changing clothes & while I was using the bathroom... (my pet cats were acting weird) but I did not know... an intruder was IN my home. And they never caught the guy.
Luckily, I was not raped or murdered or worse.
Luckily, I was able to fight him off.

I am not one to say "what's wrong with Men wanting to take a class", or "why not enroll Men too..." or, "Why are you afraid of strangers" sort of thing.
Always, go by your Gut instinct, this is your home, and this is your classes, and it goes by the way you want it to go.
By referrals and what not.
That is fine.

If you want your classes/ballet school to expand, they you will need to get Studio space, elsewhere in town.
Not in your home.

Hi Jaimee! I am a piano teacher and I can relate to the discomfort of needing to turn a prospective student down for various reasons. I hate to turn anyone away, but if their schedule doesn't work with mine, then it's impossible!
I handle declines the exact same way Grandma T. worded it. I also offer the name of another teacher or studio that may be more suited to their abilities, location or schedule.

I hope it works out well for you! I wish I lived in your area, I would try to use my mamapedia connection to you to enroll my daughter in your studio! :)

I guess my question really is were they creepy or was it because they're men?

My husband does a lot of the research and talking to "teachers" for our family because he works from home and has time in he mornings to make those types of phone calls. Don't judge someone because the male is making that phone call. However if your gut says he's creepy then be honest. I would be completely honest and say "I only take referrals from family and friends. In the future if I open/rent a space I would love to have you come in and check things out".

if you tell them you are full (and are not full which I would see as a lie) and they hear through the grapevine you may burn bridges you don't intend to. You never know when you may run into the them again in the future. People ask me questions all the time about what I think about places, people...you never know who they are going to tell and that can prevent you for future experiences. Always go with the truth. It has happened to me and has prevented me from future experiences.

I totally understand why you feel this way, creepy people can live anywhere. There are websites you can go on and check them out but even that isn't 100%, just because they check out okay doesn't mean they are okay.
I would tell them that you have serious space concerns and right now don't have any room for more students. Then refer them to a good school in your area.

I would say, at this point in time I don't have the space for any more students. If, in the future a spot is open, I will let you know. Then say it may be a long time before a spot will open, and recommend a different Ballet Studio for them to check out. That way , you let them down easily and offer them an alternative.

D. P.