Choosing tuition
Home, centre or online tuition: which suits my child?
Reviewed by Theon Teo, Founder · Last checked · How we check facts
Short answer
Home tuition gives one child a tutor's full attention with no travel, a tuition centre teaches a small group to a fixed programme, and online tuition gives 1-to-1 attention without travel but needs a child who can focus on a screen. Children who need the lesson built around their own gaps usually do best 1-to-1, at home or online.
The three options side by side
| Home tuition | Tuition centre | Online 1-to-1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attention | One child | Shared with a class | One child |
| Lesson plan | Built on your child's gaps | Centre's programme | Built on your child's gaps |
| Travel | None, tutor comes to you | To and from the centre | None |
| Timing | Agreed with the tutor | Fixed class slots | Agreed with the tutor |
| Best for | Specific gaps, younger children | Structured practice with peers | Busy schedules, older students |
When home tuition fits
Home tuition suits a child who needs the lesson to start from their own mistakes, gets distracted in a group, or is too young to sit through a long online lesson. Parents can also see the tutor at work and talk after the lesson.
When a centre fits
A centre suits a child who is broadly on track and likes working alongside others, and families who want a fixed weekly programme with worksheets. The trade-off is less time on your child's specific gaps and the travel there and back.
When online fits
Online 1-to-1 suits secondary and JC students with long school days, families in a part of Singapore far from the tutor they want, and short check-in lessons before a test. It works less well for young children, or for subjects where the tutor needs to see working on paper, unless the child has a way to share it, such as a tablet or a camera on the desk.
Mixing formats
Formats are not either or. Some families keep home lessons in term time and switch to online during exams or holidays, or use a centre for one subject and a home tutor for the subject losing the most marks.
The Singapore Syllabus arranges 1-to-1 home and online tuition, not centre classes. Our rate card uses the same ranges for home and online lessons.
Source: The Singapore Syllabus, rates by level and tutor type.
Common questions
Is home tuition more expensive than a centre?
Per hour, 1-to-1 home tuition usually costs more than a seat in a group class, because one tutor teaches one child. Compare the cost per hour of your child's attention, not only the fee.
Does online tuition work for primary school children?
It can for older primary children who can focus on a screen, with a parent nearby for the first lessons. For P1 to P3, home lessons are usually easier.
Can we switch from home to online later?
Yes, if the tutor teaches online too. Agree it with the tutor. The hourly rate on our rate card is the same for both.
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