How does one choose the right art classes for their child? There are so many options, and it’s not always clear how to spot a high-quality children’s art programme. At art-K, we know the answer to that question is multifaceted and varies based on your child’s individual factors. It’s important to search for the right environment for your child and their specific needs. At art-K HQ this month, we’re here to help you navigate:
What to look for while searching for art classes for your child?
Art education has been art-K’s focus for over 25 years; we endeavour to maximise opportunities for good quality art education. So, here are some key things to consider, from the point of view of an art education provider. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to start, use this blog as a 5-step guide to finding the right art class or club.
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Delve deeper than FAQs with us, and break down the jargon to make the process less overwhelming!
Step 1: Start by asking your child what they’d like to get out of class
To reduce the time it takes to trawl through various options, it’s good to know exactly why your child wants to join an art club, and what skill they’d like to learn. This can help narrow down your search e.g. “Where can my child learn painting near me?” Some families choose classes run by local galleries or community centres, while others prefer structured weekly programmes in dedicated art studios. At art-K, we teach a variety of mediums, whilst other sessions are more specific. It’s essential to know what will hold their interest most.
Step 2: Write down your top priorities as a parent
We recommend you start by narrowing down what you want your child to get out of it and what factors are important for you e.g. OFSTED registered classes. Then, you can use these questions as a checklist to see whether it’s right for you and your child.
Set a list of 5+ questions to tick off. Here’s our example:
*The following questions offer a solid example of criteria to look out for when searching for the best art sessions for your child, from the perspective of an OFSTED-registered art provider.
- How is the art programme structured? It’s really important to check whether their programme is age-based or whether there is support for children to work at their own pace.
- Where are the art classes with small class sizes near me? Checking class sizes and ensuring there is a good level of individual support on offer is key to helping children thrive. A good ratio is around 1 teacher to 7 pupils to provide individual support. Many studios will teach students as a group, in which case they have larger ratios. As a result, support won’t be individualised.
- Where are there art programmes near me that cover a wide range of skills? You can check what’s actually on offer via art school websites, and consider whether it would hold your child’s interests.
- How does an art teacher support artistic and soft skill development? The best art classes build tangible skills that extend beyond the classroom. For the best results, search for programmes that promote: fine motor skills, problem-solving, patience, confidence and self-expression.
- What art clubs are OFSTED-registered near me? OFSTED registered settings provide security to the parent that safeguarding procedures and training is in place to keep their children safe. Art clubs do not have to be registered for OFSTED (as art is an exempt category) so clubs that do voluntarily are demonstrating to parents how important physical and psychological safety is to them.
Step 3: Write down what makes your child unique and find a programme that will nurture them
Consider:
- Art Lessons For Your Child’s Age: At each stage of a child’s life, their development is unique to them. It’s important that your art teacher understands how a child learns artistically at each developmental stage so that they can apply their teaching methodology to your child. Each age includes different stages of development in: fine and gross motor skills, visual perception, and spatial awareness.
It’s important that a teacher meets a child where they’re at, so they can gently nurture their creativity. Over-challenged children will typically get disheartened and abandon their creative practice. These crisis points happen most significantly around 11-13 years old, so even into their teens it’s important these factors are considered carefully. These gentle, incremental milestones are a supportive way for each individual to feel safe whilst exploring their creative practice.
- Does the Art School Offer Individualised Support? Consider any specific needs your child has and whether an art club can cater to them in order to offer the best level of support. Try searching through Google: “art clubs that support children with additional needs near me”, or be more specific, “art clubs that support children with ADHD near me”.
- What Environment Will Suit Them Best? Class size and structure is key to finding the right class.
Step 4: Look at reviews
Looking at other customers’ experiences will help you see what customers value in each different art studio. Whilst we know that it’s common that people buy reviews, there are independent review sites which can show you ‘verified reviews’. TrustPilot is one of those. It’s a great way to find who is the best art club nearby.
Top Tip for parents: Look for the reviews that have the ‘verified’ tag; these are reviews that can only be given by people who have experienced the service.
We’re grateful for over 2,500 TrustPilot reviews with a rating of 4.9 stars as they provide verified testimonials from parents. They help us to show new parents exactly what we do, and how our approach actually makes a difference to real lives. Customers consistently praise our staff for being lovely, friendly, helpful, patient, encouraging, and enthusiastic!
Step 5: Try Before You Decide – Trial Sessions
In our experience, children need to experience an art class for themselves to decide whether it’s the best fit for them. It’s not a one club fits all! It’s very important to meet the teacher and ensure that your child feels safe to explore their creativity, and you feel safe to leave them there. At art-K, prior to a trial class, our studio teachers are very happy to have a chat and talk you through what we offer.
Top Tip for parents: Trying out trial sessions and one-off holiday workshop sessions is another great way to see if it’s the best art class for you both.
Post Trial: Reflect on Your Checklist of Criteria
Once you have all the information, ask yourself some important questions about whether it aligns with the questions you wrote down for yourself in steps 1 and 2.
TL;DR Summary
So, in summary, this is how you choose the right art club for your child:
- Assess providers against what you need in an art class: Use a checklist of priorities for you and your child.
- Check the basics: Check the setting and approach to teaching and safety procedures. You can use our criteria above.
- Read reviews and ask for recommendations from other parents.
- Check out the setting and meet the teachers: Find out what it’s like for yourself by attending a trial class. Look for experienced instructors who support students to work at their own pace.
Every class brings with it the chance to develop by learning something new, which is why it’s important to find the right space to learn in. At art-K, children benefit from having a space that’s just for art. An art club should be a safe space where creativity and artistic development are the topmost priority.
Whether your child has a budding passion for art or is just beginning to discover their creative side, art-K provides the ideal environment to explore, experiment, and grow. We’re nurturing a lifelong love of art through art classes for primary, secondary and advanced students.
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