Everything you need to know before you hire a tutor for your child

As more than four million Australian students get set to return to the classroom, tutors are already getting booked up fast with pupils keen to get a head start on their learning.

Grade five student Belicia Batra prepares for the first day of school with her tutor, Reema Verma. Picture: Tony Gough

As millions of Australian children head back to the classroom this week, tutors’ diaries are filling up fast with eager students keen to get a leg up on their learning.

Educators have a busy year ahead catching up 45,000 pupils who will commence term one below the national benchmark in literacy and numeracy.

To relieve strain on teaching staff, tutors are offering their services in person, in groups and online to ensure all children can access their support.

But with so many options available, it can be difficult for parents to know what sort of tutoring will be most beneficial for their child.

Whether you’re new to the tutoring world or need help convincing your child to give it a go, education experts from Kumon and Titanium Tutoring have provided their top tips on how to find the best tutor.

How do I know if my child needs tutoring?

Titanium Tutoring co-founder Adhyayan Verma said there were four signs to suggest a child might benefit from tutoring.

“(This includes) the student struggles to keep up with class content – measured by consistently getting low grades – and the student showing a decline in confidence,” he said.

Other factors included students hitting a “plateau” – where their improvement stops and they remain within a particular grade range – or the student isn’t feeling challenged enough.

“Even high-achievers can benefit from tutoring by refining exam techniques and deepening their understanding beyond the curriculum,” Mr Verma said.

There are four signs parents should look out for that suggest their child may benefit from tutoring.

Is there an ideal age to start tutoring?

The right age to start tutoring depends on students’ individual goals and the type of tutoring they’re receiving.

“The best time to start is grades 4 to 6 for foundations skills, years 7 to 9 to prevent (learning) gaps and year 10 plus for VCE exam readiness,” Mr Verma said.

“Tutoring is most effective when goal-driven such as preparing for scholarship exams, selective school entry or maximising ATAR scores.”

But for tutoring services such as Kumon, early intervention can help children build a solid foundation in the basics of maths and reading, Kumon Australia and New Zealand spokesman James Wells said.

How do you go about finding a reputable tutor for your child?

Depending on the tutoring company, most educators are required to undergo extensive screening and training, including professional development sessions.

Mr Verma said parents should look for tutors with proven results, strong subject expertise and a teaching philosophy that aligns with the child’s learning style.

“Groups and communities on Facebook are a great way for parents and tutors to meet each other,” he said.

The right age to start tutoring depends on students’ individual goals. Picture: Tony Gough

One-on-one tutoring or small groups?

Both methods of tutoring have their own benefits.

Mr Verma said one-on-one tutoring allowed for personalised instruction that was tailored to a student’s needs, while small group tutoring promoted peer learning and instilled a nature of healthy competition.

Meanwhile, Mr Wells said Kumon adopted an individualised approach, where each student studies their own work under the supervision and guidance of a Kumon instructor.

“We believe Kumon’s individualised approach is highly effective for students in improving their academic capabilities because it allows them to learn at their own pace as far as they are capable of progressing,” he said.

In-home tutoring v a tutoring centre?

While in-home tutoring can provide a comfortable, distraction-free environment that is more convenient for families, tutoring centres can also be effective places to learn, according to Mr Verma.

“Tutoring centres offer structured learning spaces, peer motivation and access to multiple tutors with diverse expertise,” he said.

“These spaces may also be better equipped with resources, books and education material which can be beneficial for students who need a more immersive academic setting.”

Small group tutoring promotes peer learning and instils a nature of healthy competition.

What is a reasonable price for a tutor?

Mr Verma said a tutor’s effectiveness should be measured by student improvement, past results and resources they offer – not just the hourly rate.

“Tutoring rates vary based on expertise, subject complexity and session format,” he said.

“Expect to pay $35 to $80 per hour for a qualified tutor with strong credentials, while premium services or highly specialised exam preparation can range higher.”

Meanwhile, other companies such as Kumon, provide a monthly fee structure where families pay on a monthly basis.

What if you can’t afford a tutor?

Parents are turning to artificial intelligence tutors as a cost-effective measure to help their child while receiving individualised support.

Websites including ChatGPT, Zookal and Tutor Ocean are among several platforms offering one-on-one tutoring to schoolchildren at half the price of a private tutor.

While AI tutors can be more affordable, parents are advised to carefully monitor how their child uses such tools as they can generate responses that contain factual inaccuracies.

Workbooks published by tutoring companies such as Kumon, which are available at bookstores, can also be an effective resources families can consider to help boost their children’s learning.

Originally published as Everything you need to know before you hire a tutor for your child