Holidays are coming for the little ones, but parents are still working, and a big problem arises: what do we do with them? For some parents, their children's holidays are a jam-packed schedule full of activities and family gatherings. 

There are solutions such as camps or sports and leisure centres, but they are quite expensive. Besides, we can't send them away from home for a month. That's why tuition centres and private tutors are a great alternative.  

In addition, finding tutors for the summer holidays allows you to search for the type of lesson you prefer: from guitar lessons near me to chemistry lessons or even tutors for maths. 

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Advantages of taking private lessons in the summer

All children get fed up with studying during the school year, if we force them to continue studying in the summer they are sure to be unhappy about it. Tuition centres and private tutors are aware of this, and that's why their solution is a bit more fun.

They try to do educational activities in combination with the typical summer homework help. This way they learn, have fun and make new friends. These are some of the advantages:

1. Improve grades

This is the most common reason why private tutors are hired. Private lessons help students go over everything that wasn't fully covered during termtime, filling in gaps before they turn into bigger problems later on. They can also be great for students with different educational needs, since a tutor can slow down, speed up, or explain things a different way until it clicks.

2. Stick to the routine

There are students who spend six weeks on holiday and when they return to class it takes them another six weeks to get back into a routine that allows them to be productive. That's why many parents prefer to find a tutor for a couple of hours of classes every morning. It keeps a light structure in place without eating into the rest of the day, and it makes the return to school in September far less of a shock.

3. Progress

If you continue to learn in the summer, you'll be able to move on to next year's content, even if it's at a slower, more relaxed pace than during term time. Few students take advantage of this, but it's a great way to get ahead and make the jump to the year above easier. A tutor can also spot a student's stronger subjects and use the summer to build on them further.

4. Revision

This is the aim of most private lessons for younger children. For those who have done well during termtime but don't want to forget what they've learnt, or who want to understand things better before moving up a year, private lessons in the summer have the same function as revision booklets, but are much more effective since a tutor can adapt to exactly where a student is struggling.

5. Childcare

There are private tutors who, apart from giving classes, offer babysitting services for the rest of the morning. You won't find them at higher levels, but if you have a child aged 10 or under you may be able to find one. It's a practical option for parents who need cover for a full morning rather than just an hour of lessons, combining structured learning time with supervised play.

6. Make friends

This is especially true if you sign them up for a tuition centre or group lessons. They'll meet other children of their age with whom they can be friends, which softens the idea of "summer study" for kids who'd otherwise associate it purely with school. Group settings also add a bit of friendly competition and encouragement that one-to-one lessons don't always offer.

Research into UK primary schoolchildren has found that skills like spelling can measurably dip over a long summer break and take time to recover once term starts again, which is part of why so many parents look into private tutoring for summer rather than waiting until September.

The timetable for private classes in the summer is usually more flexible than during the school year. They usually start later and end at lunchtime. The advantage is that there are usually many tuition centres and you will probably find a tutor close to home.

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Private tutors and babysitters

This is something that has become fashionable in recent years. It was born out of the need of some parents who needed someone to look after their children and provide private tuition.

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You have to be careful, because not all private tutors offer to do this type of work. It is normal that a tutor, whose job is to teach, does not want to babysit, even if he or she is paid the same price per hour as for a class.

However, there are some who have studied teaching or early childhood education and who like to look after children. But you have to take into account that the price will be higher than if you hire a normal babysitter. However, you will have many advantages:

• Pedagogical and professional: your child will be cared for by someone who has studied how to educate children and therefore will do activities that will make your child grow and develop better,
• Fun: classes with this type of teacher will not be traditional and boring. They are trained and experienced in taking care of children,
• Confidence: it all depends on the teacher, but as a general rule they are very professional and experienced in helping boost children's confidence,
• Peace of mind: during the hours your child is with this teacher, you can be free to work or do other things while knowing that your child is in great hands,
• One of the cheapest options: although this service is more expensive than regular tuition, it is much cheaper than sending your child to a camp or a centre. Private tutoring for summer is often the best value for money among all the childcare-plus-learning options available.

How to find the right summer tutor on FindTutors

Getting started with private tutoring for summer takes a few simple steps. Taking a little time over each one makes it far more likely that the tutor you choose is the right fit for your child and your schedule.

Search by subject, level and format

Start with the FindTutors search tool and narrow things down by subject, school level, and whether you want online or in-person lessons. Online tends to suit busy summer schedules best, since there's no travel time involved, while in-person can work well if you'd rather have someone visit the house or meet locally. Being specific from the start saves time later, especially for popular subjects like maths or English.

Check verified reviews

Before getting in touch with a tutor, take a look at reviews left by other students and families. These are validated before publication, so they give a genuine picture of how a tutor teaches, how reliable they are, and how well they work with children of a similar age or level to yours. Reviews mentioning summer or holiday lessons specifically are a good sign the tutor is used to flexible, short-term bookings.

Look for the Verified Tutor Badge

The green Verified Tutor Badge confirms that a tutor's references, phone number, email and diplomas or certificates have been checked. It's not essential, but it's a useful shortcut if you're choosing between several tutors who otherwise look similar on paper, and it adds an extra layer of reassurance for parents booking a stranger for the first time.

Message a few tutors before deciding

Don't commit to the first tutor you find. Message two or three to compare availability, teaching style and price, and ask direct questions: how they'd structure a summer schedule, whether they're comfortable with the subject at your child's level, and how they handle sessions if your child is less motivated during the holidays than during term time.

Book a free trial lesson

Where a tutor offers one, a free trial lesson is the easiest way to check the match works before committing to a regular summer schedule. It gives your child a chance to see how the tutor explains things and gives you a low-risk way to change tutors early if it isn't quite right, rather than midway through the holidays.

Read the ad carefully

Once you've shortlisted a tutor, go back and reread their ad properly. Check it genuinely matches what you're looking for, in subject, age group and format, rather than just the headline. Ads that are detailed and specific are usually a good sign of a tutor who takes the work seriously. Taken together, these steps make it far easier to find a great teacher who leaves a lasting, positive impression on your child.

You can find tutors on websites specialised in private tuition such as FindTutors. It is important that you look carefully at the ads and that they say something similar to the service you are looking for. If you look carefully, you can find a great teacher who will leave a wonderful impression on your child.

Some final tips to make sure you find the right summer tutor

Some final tips to make sure you find the right summer tutor:

• Book early, since the most in-demand tutors and time slots fill up quickly once the school year ends,
• Ask about flexibility, in case holiday plans or days out mean you need to reschedule a session now and then,
• Keep sessions short and light for younger children, to avoid summer lessons feeling like an extension of the school term,
• Agree on clear goals with the tutor from the start, whether that's catching up, staying sharp, or getting ahead.

Make the Most of the Summer Holidays with Private Tutoring for Summer

Whether you want to stop the summer slide, get ahead for September, or simply keep your child engaged while you're at work, private tutoring for summer gives you a flexible, affordable way to do it. Start by browsing private tutors near you, or look into online tutoring if flexibility matters most this summer.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Tutoring