Discounts for siblings and for a second class are one of the front desk's open secrets: everyone gives them, few have written them down. The result is tuition that changes from month to month and parents who compare notes.
1. Decide what you reward
The two most common rules:
- Siblings: a discount from the 2nd (or 3rd) child of the same family.
- More classes: a discount when the same student takes a 2nd or 3rd class.
Pick a percentage (e.g. 10 %) or a fixed amount (e.g. €5 a month). A fixed amount is easier to explain; a percentage follows price changes.
2. Do not stack them
If a child is both a 2nd sibling and takes a 2nd class, give the better of the two discounts, not both. It is fair, predictable and the amount never runs away.
3. Write the rule in one sentence
For example: «From the 2nd child of the same family, 10 % off the monthly tuition. Not combined with other discounts.» Put it on the enrolment form and on your website. Once the rule is written, there is nothing to negotiate.
4. Keep special deals apart
Sometimes you will agree a special price with one family. That is not a rule; it is a deal for that enrolment. Write it there, with a note on why, and leave the general rule as it is.
5. Changes apply from now on
If you change the rule mid-year, months already charged should not change. New charges take the new rule. That way nobody «suddenly» finds a different balance.
How Aelius does it
- In «Tuition & discounts» you set rules for siblings (from the N-th child) and for more classes (from the N-th), as a percentage or an amount.
- The rules apply themselves to every monthly charge. They do not stack: one applies, the best one.
- A special price on an enrolment wins over the rule.
- Changes apply to new charges; old ones do not change.
- Siblings are linked in a family. When you bring students in from Excel, Aelius flags those with the same guardian phone («siblings?»).
See how it works for dance schools, tutoring centres and language schools.