How do I know if my child needs a tutor?
Most parents wonder this long before they do anything about it. The honest answer: you don't need to guess. Here are 7 clear signs to watch for - and a free 10-minute way to see exactly where your child stands before you spend a cent.
7 signs your child may need extra support
1. Homework takes far longer than it should
A task that should take 20 minutes stretches to an hour. Long, painful homework is often a sign your child is missing a foundation, not being lazy.
2. There are tears, stress or avoidance
"I'm just bad at maths," putting homework off, or melting down over it. Confidence and ability are tightly linked - and confidence usually cracks first.
3. They can follow an example but can't start alone
They nod along when you or the teacher show them, then freeze on a near-identical question. That gap between "watching" and "doing" is a classic sign of shaky understanding.
4. Marks are slipping - or suspiciously flat
A drop is obvious. But marks that sit still while the work gets harder can also mean your child is quietly falling behind the curve.
5. Old foundations still slow them down
Times tables, fractions or place value that should be automatic by now still need counting on fingers. Earlier gaps don't disappear - they compound.
6. They've "memorised" without understanding
They can repeat steps but can't explain why. Memorised methods collapse the moment a question looks slightly different - which it always does in exams.
7. A big transition is coming
The jump into Year 7, or the run into senior subjects in Year 10. Even confident kids benefit from shoring up foundations before the ground shifts.
Stop guessing - see exactly where your child is
A free 10-minute check across your child's year level. You get a clear gap report: what's strong, what to focus on. No credit card, no pressure.
Start the free check →Takes about 10 minutes · Years 4–10 · Australian curriculum
Before you hire anyone, ask these questions
A tutor is worth it when the support is targeted. Whatever you choose - in-person, online or a program like Summit - make sure it:
- Finds the actual gap first. Good support starts by placing your child accurately, not re-teaching what they already know.
- Works at the right level. Too hard builds anxiety; too easy wastes time. The sweet spot is just beyond what they can already do.
- Builds understanding, not just answers. Look for "explain why," worked solutions, and revisiting mistakes - not drilling for a single test.
- Shows you progress. You should be able to see what's improving, not just hope it is.
Common questions
At what year should a child start?
There's no single right age. The highest-value moments are while foundations are forming (Years 4–6), at the high-school jump (Year 7), and before senior pathways are set (Year 10). But the real trigger is evidence of a gap - not a birthday.
Is online as good as in-person?
For most students, yes - provided the program places your child accurately and adapts to their level. Online is usually more affordable and flexible, and what matters most is that practice targets your child's real gaps rather than re-covering the familiar.
What if I'm not sure there's a problem yet?
That's exactly what a free placement check is for. It's a no-pressure way to either catch a gap early or get the reassurance that your child is on track.
This is how Summit Learning works: we place your child precisely across their year level, then - only if there are gaps to close - build a daily plan around them, at the right level, with worked solutions and progress you can actually see.
Find out for free, in 10 minutes
See exactly where your child stands before deciding anything. Both subjects, all of Years 4–10. If they need support, plans start at $24/mo, cancel anytime.
See where my child is - free →This guide is general information for parents and reflects common indicators that a child may benefit from extra support. Every child is different.