Hi! I have been teaching children ages 0-5 yrs dance at the local Youth Center. It is a introductory dance class - more of a creative movement with intro to tap/jazz/hip hop/ballet and more. My question is I do not have to have a license or certificate to teach here but was wondering what I needed if I wanted to open up my own studio later on? I dont know exactly if I would expand my age group at this time but wanted some advice on what I need to do now to get started?

"Hi! I have been teaching children ages 0-5 yrs dance at the local Youth Center. It is a introductory dance class - more of a creative movement with intro to tap/jazz/hip hop/ballet and more. My question is I do not have to have a license or certificate to teach here but was wondering what I needed if I wanted to open up my own studio later on? I dont know exactly if I would expand my age group at this time but wanted some advice on what I need to do now to get started?"

It sounds like you are in the US, in which case there are no legal requirements for your training (only insurance and all that).

You need the training that you feel you need to do the job.

Yes, you can frame a certficiate and hang it on your wall, but few students will know the difference between the handeful of certifications that mean something and the numerous ones that mean next to nothing.

Honestly, you new a business license to own and operate a business however you don't necessarily need a teacher license to teach dance. You don't need a degree either since you are owning your own business but having been certified makes you more creditable. When you sign people up for lessons you can tell them or print in a brochure where you did your training so that it is up front. They can ask if your are certified and you can say no and that is honest. You don't want to open yourself to legal crap if someone sued. Do get insurance on your studio of course just in case of injury. Good luck to you and keep on dancing!

Anonymous is absolutely right!!