Lockdown prompts parents to splash cash on in-home teachers

Parents with the cash are hiring their own teacher for the family home — but experts say it might send the wrong message to their children.

Eastern suburbs parents stuck homeschooling their kids are hiring private teachers, in a practice some experts say may send the wrong message to their children about the importance of resilience in times of adversity.

Others have defended affluent parents, saying they are just trying to use the resources they have to adapt as best they can while holding down full time jobs.

In one advertisement posted last week, a Vaucluse family was seeking to hire a teacher for a seven-year-old boy between 8.15am and 2.30pm daily.

“I am sourcing a private teacher for at home learning to be based at home in Vaucluse,” the advertisement said.

In another appeal for help, a family from North Bondi with children aged five, seven and nine, asked for someone to help to homeschool the children between 9am and 11am.

“We are looking for a nanny who has extensive experience working with families and comfortable to (support) with education,” the ad said.

Another parent at Millers Point was seeking a nanny and housekeeper to be a “friend” to their five-year-old child. They promised prospective applicants an annual financial bonus if they performed well.

Meanwhile, another family said the arrangement was not just for the lockdown, but hoped to make it permanent.

We’re all in this together until some parents can get more help than others.

“Looking for skilled and passionate teacher to home-school two girls in Rose Bay,” the advertisement said.

“Currently both attending private school but lock-downs made us appreciate the benefits of one on one teaching.”

Under current health orders, Sydneysiders are not ­permitted guests, but there is an exception if a visitor is for childcare.

Australian Tutoring Association president Mohan Dhall said there had been in an increase in parents trying to recruit home tutors.