Tutors can help children in a wide variety of areas, including general special needs, remedial help, catch-up instruction in specific academic subjects, advanced coaching for gifted students, or examination needs.

Your child’s specific needs will help to determine the right tutor. Broadly speaking, tutoring is available through the following options:

Private tutors. These are usually teachers or graduate students who work independently and who will come to your home to work one-on-one on a particular subject with your child.

Commercial agency tutors. These may be teachers, university students, or occasionally even high school students who operate through a commercial agency. They will teach your child one-on-one in either your home or at the agency location.

Commercial learning centres. Here, children receive instruction in groups or classes of children with similar educational needs.

Tips on finding a tutor

Once you have identified your child’s educational needs, you may want to review several of the available options.

Your child’s school may be able to recommend current or retired teachers who offer private tutoring services. You may also be able to get a recommendation from the school or from other parents for commercial agencies or learning centers.

Depending on the option that you choose for your child, here are some questions that you should ask regarding the services they offer:

Private tutors

• What are their qualifications?
• What is their teaching background?
• Do they have experience with your child’s age group and specific needs?
• Will they provide references from parents or other employers?
• If your child is sick or otherwise unable to attend a session, will the session be billed?
• Will the tutor communicate with your child’s teacher to coordinate strategies?

Commercial agencies

• What qualifications are required of the individuals who would assess your child’s needs?
• What qualifications are required of the tutors?
• Will your child have the same tutor each week?
• How will progress be monitored and reported to you?
• If your child is sick or otherwise unable to attend a session, will the session be billed?
• Will they provide references from other parents?
• Will the tutor communicate with your child’s teacher to coordinate strategies?

Commercial learning centers

• What qualifications are required of the individuals who would assess your child’s needs?
• What qualifications are required of the tutors?
• How many children would be in your child’s group or class?
• Would your child have the same tutor each week?
• What would they do if your child became ahead of or behind the other children in the group?
• How will progress be monitored and reported to you?
• If your child’s tutor is sick or otherwise unavailable, who will substitute?
• If your child is sick or otherwise unable to attend a session, will the session be billed?
• Will they provide references from other parents?
• Will the tutor communicate with your child’s teacher to coordinate strategies?

Choosing a tutor for your child is an important decision for their education. Consider speaking with parents of your child’s classmates to get an idea of which services work best for them. And, most importantly, be sure to involve your child in the selection process to ensure the best choice for them.