FAQ

Do I have to have a college degree and/or a teaching certificate to start a home based tutoring business?

You don't have to have a college degree or a teaching certificate to tutor; you just have to ask yourself what subjects and ages you feel comfortable with which to work. Most people will do a fine job tutoring in the elementary grades.

Can I tutor someplace other than my home?

Yes. In fact, many tutors, especially college students, just don't have the space to tutor at their "homes" (i.e. dorm room, apt.). So, they tutor at the library, study room on campus or in the students' own homes.

I assumed that I would only find students right before the start of the school year. I was WRONG!! Although I did sign up my first student in late August, I continued to pick up students throughout the year, and found that I was just as busy in the summer as I was during the school year. Some parents want to start out the school year with extra help, and contact you early. Others wait and see, hoping their children's grades will improve "this year". So, they end up contacting you after a grade check, first quarter reports, etc. Some wait until January, making it kind of a new year resolution to get their children back on track. Others begin to panic in the spring, and contact you in hopes of ending the school year on a positive note. Many will contact you for summer "catch-up" help. So, ANYTIME is a good time to start a home tutoring business!

Most of the elementary students I see are in grades 3 through 6, and need help with basic skills in reading and math, and some homework help. This may include encouraging reading through activities, or helping a student learn math facts that they should already know, but in which they don't have instant recall. It sounds so basic, but if a child doesn't learn, for example, his/her times tables, s/he will struggle with math problems that build on those skills.

When you get to the upper-level classes, you need to have a good background in whatever specific subjects you decide to tutor, but not necessarily a college degree. For example, I don't feel comfortable with math at the high school level, so I simply stay away from it. My husband, on the other hand, likes math and is good at it, so he tutors math students, even though he doesn't have a teaching degree and has never taught school.

Many kids are turned off by their own parents when it comes to help and suggestions. Frustrations run high on both ends, and the student shuts down. Working with another person outside the home is usually more productive, especially when the child and parents are at their wits' ends.

What if I still feel anxious because I don't have a degree and have never before tutored anyone?

For first few months, I was nervous about doing a good job because I had never before tutored. I just kept in mind that many of the big learning center franchises charge $35 per hour or more per child, and put three students to one teacher. With me, the parents get a great deal; I only charge about half the price of the learning centers, and I work strictly one-to-one with students.

If you still feel hesitant about your lack of experience, I would suggest that you charge a little less than the going rate at first.. Let the parents know that you are giving a discount because you are new at tutoring, but that you will be committed to helping their student if they will give you the opportunity. Then, as you gain experience and your confidence builds, you could raise your fees.

Yes! High school and college students make good tutors for younger students; the younger kids look up to the older kids, and are thrilled to get help from them!
If a high school student is doing the tutoring, I would suggest charging a little less (as described in the previous question) since they are students themselves. The hourly rate would still be much more than they could earn flipping burgers! Also, they will need help from an adult to get started and point them in the right direction.

When my own children were younger, I had concerns about what I could do to keep them entertained while I was tutoring, so I'll tell you what worked for me. I found a girl in my neighborhood (someone close that can walk over to your house is ideal) that could come in the afternoons to stay with my little ones. She was only 12 when I started having her come, but since I was there in the house with me close-by, I didn't worry about her being young. I paid her $4 per hour, and I charged $20 per hour for tutoring, so I figured I was still making $16 per hour, even with the sitter, and it beat the rates of part time day care at a private home or center. This girl was homeschooled, which made it even easier for her to help me--she could be here a little before the students showed up since she wasn't just getting home from school. I was able to tutor starting at 3:30 p.m. after Jr.. high let out, then elementary students could get here by 4:30, so I didn't have to wait until my husband got home to schedule students and could be finished earlier in the evening. I would suggest contacting a homeschooling group in your area---there may be some girls that would like to help you for a little extra money, and/or check to see if there are any potential sitters in your neighborhood that could come to your home right after school.

Kim,
Thank you for responding to my question....I did receive the package yesterday. I appreciate your promptness. Your book has a TON of great ideas that I never would have thought of!! I'm so glad that I found your site on the Internet.
Sincere Thanks,
C. L. Ohio

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