---
title: Choosing a Tutor for Your Child
description: Work out what your child needs, vet candidates properly, and set up sessions that are safe and effective.
category: life
tags: [tutoring, parenting, education, child-safety]
version: "1.0"
updated: 2026-08-09
sources:
  - name: Reading Rockets, "How to Choose a Tutor (Or Other Education Service Provider)"
    url: https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/tutoring-and-volunteering/articles/how-choose-tutor-or-other-education-service-provider
  - name: NSPCC, "Finding a tutor for your child"
    url: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/away-from-home/find-tutor-child/
  - name: NSPCC Learning, "Safeguarding and child protection for tutors"
    url: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/tutors
  - name: Checkr, "Guide to Tutor Background Checks"
    url: https://checkr.com/resources/articles/tutor-background-check
  - name: Care.com, "Tutor interview questions: 23 key questions for parents to ask"
    url: https://www.care.com/c/the-tutor-guide-interviewing-a-tutor-or-teacher/
---

Finding the right tutor is part matchmaking, part vetting. Here's how to work out what your child actually needs, find and check out candidates properly, and set things up so sessions are safe and actually help.

## Before You Start Looking

- [ ] Talk to your child about why tutoring is being considered
  Involving them from the start makes them more open to accepting the help.
- [ ] Ask your child's teacher what specific skills or gaps to target
  Whenever possible, ask your child's teacher to participate in designing the tutoring plan so that it links to school work.
- [ ] Decide in-person, at-home, or online
  Based on your child's comfort and your own supervision needs.
- [ ] Look specifically for a tutor trained in techniques for your child's learning disability `{when: child-has-learning-disability}` `{essential}`
  It's essential that they've been trained to use appropriate techniques that can address the student's special needs.
- [ ] Set a budget and rough session frequency before contacting anyone
  So cost doesn't sway the decision mid-search.

## Finding and Screening Candidates

- [ ] Ask your child's teacher or other parents for recommendations
  Consider interviewing several tutors with your child.
- [ ] Check the tutor's credentials, training, and experience
  Find out whether the person has experience working with students at your child's grade level.
- [ ] Confirm the tutor is a certified teacher or has real subject expertise `{essential}`
  It's important that the tutor is a certified teacher or has expertise in the subject being taught.
- [ ] Get and actually contact references, not just names on a resume `{essential}`
  Set up an in-person interview and ask them to bring a resume with references that you may contact, and check their references before hiring.
- [ ] Run or request a background check on anyone who will be alone with your child `{when: hiring-independently}` `{essential}`
  A private tutor background check can help identify potential safety risks and empowers families to make more informed hiring decisions.
- [ ] Ask whether they assess skill gaps first and how they adapt when a child is struggling
- [ ] Interview at least two tutors, ideally with your child present
  So you can gauge fit as well as credentials.

## Setting Up Sessions Safely

- [ ] Pick a room, not a bedroom, for sessions `{essential}`
  You'll need a desk or table where children can work quietly and it shouldn't be in a bedroom.
- [ ] Keep a line of sight or earshot to the room during sessions `{essential}`
  Make sure the door to the room is left open, the room has windows with open curtains so that someone can see in, and that you or another adult are within earshot — you may want to sit in on the session.
- [ ] Check the background is neutral and no personal documents are visible `{when: online-sessions}`
  Is there any confidential information in the room that should be removed, such as bank statements?
- [ ] Talk with the tutor about professional boundaries up front
  Tutors, parents, and children need to be clear about professional boundaries and appropriate behaviour to avoid any potential misunderstandings or allegations.
- [ ] Clear the tutoring space of anything inappropriate before the first session
  For example posters with bad language or nudity.

## Agreeing the Practical Details

- [ ] Put fees, payment schedule, and cancellation policy in writing before the first paid session `{essential}`
  Decide what happens if your child or your tutor is sick and whether there will be a makeup session or a fee for a missed one.
- [ ] Start with a short trial before committing longer-term
  Consider hiring the tutor for two or three sessions on a trial basis to see how it works for everyone.
- [ ] Ask the tutor for a tutoring plan or clear goals, ideally tied to classwork
  Try to create a partnership between you, your child's teacher, and the tutor.
- [ ] Trust your gut
  If you feel uneasy about the interview or any red flags come up, don't hire the tutor — it's important for you and your child to feel comfortable with the right tutor.

## Ongoing Check-ins

- [ ] Ask your child after each of the first few sessions how it felt, not just what they learned
- [ ] Review progress against the original goals every few weeks
  Adjust or end the arrangement if there's no real movement.
- [ ] Keep talking with your child's teacher so tutoring and classwork stay lined up