Models for Childbirth Educators: Private Educator {Part 4 of 4}

An educator provides private, one-on-one classes typically in their home or their clients’ homes.

Certification and Requirements:

While it is a good idea to go through training and become certified through a reputable organization, this is not technically required for a private childbirth educator.

Resources and Curriculum:

This is up to the private educator but there may be input solicited from the students as well. Classes offered privately can be highly customized for the parent’s needs and goals. While this provides a lot of flexibility for the educator, there may be a lot of “customization” and variability from class to class, which can mean extra work. Materials such as a birth ball, visual aids, videos and presentations are completely the responsibility of the educator, including purchasing, maintenance and storage.

Location:

Classes are typically held in students’ homes for private, individual courses. This may present challenges as the educator has to work in a new environment each time. Also, the educator may run into unexpected situations such as unpredictable pets, parking challenges, and traveling in unfamiliar areas. Some educators may feel uncomfortable or unsafe going into a stranger’s home.

Schedule:

Coordinated between the educator and student.

Marketing:

Marketing classes and recruiting students is entirely the educator’s responsibility.

Clientele:

Often, parents who prefer in-home education are higher-income and may be more self-educated or they may have special circumstances that make a group class impossible or uncomfortable (e.g. on bed rest or other medical concern, unpredictable schedules, high profile/celebrity, etc.). They may have specific expectations or subject areas they want to learn more about.

Income:

A private educator is usually independent although it is possible that they are teaching through an organization that offers in-home instruction. Income will vary depending on the source of clients. Assuming that the educator is independent, all of the income from classes is theirs to keep. Teaching privately allows the educator to charge more per couple, but may still make less than they would in a group setting ($400 for one couple vs $250 each for 6 couples = $1500). However, this difference may balance out if the individual course is 1-2 sessions and a group course is 4-6.

Expenses:

As with income, the model within which private courses are taught will dictate the expenses an educator incurs. For example, all expenses are the responsibility of an independent educator, including travels, materials, the cost of certification/training, marketing supplies, etc. while one employed by an organization may have no personal expenses or have to adhere to a budget for expenses. 

Management:

Management is completely in the hands of the educator.

Flexibility:

The educator has a very high degree of flexibility, though clients may have very specific needs for the class schedule.

Stability:

May vary widely and will depend on independent marketing efforts by the educator.

In summary, private childbirth education can offer the most flexibility in terms of curriculum, schedule and location. 

If you haven't yet, read the entire blog series including Part 1: Teaching as a Hospital Employee, Part 2: Teaching as an Employee in a Non-Hospital or Part 3: Teaching Independently. 

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