How to Choose the Right Primary School Tutor for Your Child - Learnmate Blog

You’ve decided to get your child a tutor. Great! But what now? With so many tutors available across multiple platforms, the choice can seem overwhelming. Use these guidelines to help sift through the options and find the perfect educator for your child.

Safety first: verify a WWCC

Always confirm the tutor holds a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) — that applies even for online lessons in Australia. On Learnmate, tutors can provide their WWCC for verification and to display safety badge so you can choose your tutor with confidence knowing Learnmate has verified the validity of their WWCC. Learnmate undertakes verifications itself and partners with the third party platform WeAreOho for real-time WWCC verification and monitoring, so a WWCC badge signals an active check.

Quick tip: Ask to sight the WWCC during your first chat and note the expiry date.

Clarify your goals (this drives everything)

Before you browse profiles, decide what “good” looks like. Are you after:

• Literacy (phonics, guided reading, spelling, writing)

• Numeracy (number sense, times tables, problem-solving)

• Homework help and organisation

• Confidence and mindset

• Extension/enrichment

• Support for learning needs (e.g., ADHD, dyslexia, ASD)

Then shortlist Primary School Tutors who explicitly mention those goals and any relevant experience. This keeps messages to tutors crisp and makes first sessions more productive.

Qualifications & experience: what actually matters

Great tutors come from different backgrounds — qualified teachers, professional tutors, and high-achieving graduates. What matters is what fits best with your child and your goals:

• Qualified teachers are trained in curriculum, differentiation, and assessment, and often bring multiple ways to explain a concept.

• Experienced tutors and top graduates can be brilliant for exam strategy, model answers, and relatable mentoring.

• If your child has specific learning needs, prioritise tutors with proven experience and (ideally) relevant training or school-based work.

On Learnmate, look for profile badges (e.g., Qualified Teacher, WWCC) and read recent reviews to see strengths in action.

Price & value: set a realistic budget

Tutor rates on Learnmate vary by experience and qualifications so you can find a good fit for your budget. Tutor rates start from $30/hr, with an average price of around $55/hr in 2024. Qualified teachers typically charge more than the average, which is a reflection of their qualifications and experience.

What to clarify up-front with your tutor:

• Rate and inclusions (resources, brief notes)

• Lesson length & frequency (e.g., 60 mins weekly)

• Any preparation time (and whether it’s billed)

• Cancellation policy

• How progress will be tracked (see below)

Fit & personality: the “secret sauce”

The best learning happens when your child feels safe, seen and supported. As you read profiles, ask yourself:

• Will my child respond to a warm, playful approach or a structured, direct one?

• Does the tutor mention engagement strategies for younger learners?

• Is communication with parents clear and encouraging?

A quick intro call often tells you more than a dozen messages.

Online vs in-person: pick what suits your child

There’s no single right answer. Online is convenient and flexible, and can be ideal for older primary students or families juggling schedules. In-person can work better for younger kids who benefit from hands-on manipulatives and face-to-face connection. Many tutors offer both.

Reviews, ratings & badges: use the signals

Don’t just skim the stars — read the comments to learn how a tutor communicates, motivates, and adapts. On Learnmate, verified badges (e.g., WWCC, Qualified Teacher) appear on profiles, adding an extra layer of trust.

Trial Sessions: what to look for

Many tutors offer a short meeting or first lesson free trial. Use it to check:

• Does your child relax and engage?

• Is the tutor building rapport before diving in?

• Do they diagnose needs with simple tasks and questions?

• Do they explain next steps clearly?

If the vibe’s off, try another tutor — you’re searching for the best match, not just the first available.

Progress that parents can see

It can be hard to discern if things are going well because not many children like doing homework! What you can do is agree on clear goals (e.g., “move from Level X to Y in reading in 10–12 weeks”) and how you’ll track them:

• Brief lesson notes or a monthly update

• Occasional skill checks or reading running records

• A shared resource bank (e.g., decodable texts, number facts)

• If helpful, light touch teacher liaison (you or the tutor)

If your child’s enjoyment, confidence, and results are trending up — you’re on the right track. Also consider self-reflecting on whether there are noticeable changes in your child, such as:

• Are you starting to see improvements in your child’s school subjects?
• Does your child seem more confident in that subject area?
• Does your child show more enjoyment for the subject?
• Does your child seem to look forward to the sessions?
• Is your child engaging positively in the sessions?
• Can you observe a positive rapport between your child and their tutor?

Any of these might be signs that things are working well. If you’re unsure, and speaking to your child doesn’t bring much clarity, it’s OK to explicitly ask your tutor or try someone else. Your tutor will understand if it’s not a good match, or if you’re looking for something different.

FAQs

This blog was written by Tahnee K, a highly sought after Primary School and VCE tutor for English, Literature, French and Media on Learnmate. Tahnee has over 15+ years experience teaching secondary English as well as special education primary.

You can view Tahnee's profile, including her rave reviews and, subject to her availability, request Tahnee as your tutor here.