Primary + Early Learning
RECEPTION TO YEAR 6
In 2024, I (Archie) worked with over 8 students ranging from reception to year 6 across three primary schools. Until then, I had greatly underestimated the need for tutoring at such a young age. There were three things that genuinely surprised me - learnings that have shaped the Wombat team into a group of tutors who are prepared and experienced with working with primary aged students.
The importance of fundamentals. And no - I'm not just talking about memorising times tables. I'm talking about the ability to read and pronounces phonics - the ability to write numbers and letters correctly - the ability to ask and answer questions - to hold a conversation with an adult - to show polite manners and to respect others. Early on when I started tuition with younger students, I realised just how much of a difference the sessions were making. For some students, it is ESSENTIAL to have one-on-one tuition in order to read and write at the standard of their peers. These are the fundamentals; and they're important.
Having an older mentor who is still young is a great thing. Wombat Tutors fall into an age group where they are older than the students, but younger than the students' parents and teachers. In many cases, tuition is the ONLY way these younger students ever spend time with someone who falls into that category. I found myself playing as big a role as a mentor to my students as a tutor. One hour sessions means there is a lot of time for conversation, and if a young child can learn to hold their own, ask and answer questions, and understand problems or ideas, they will benefit so much.
Young students love putting in the work. In all my time tutoring younger students, I've found them to be substantially more enthusiastic about self-improvement than my older students. If they are eager to get better and bolster their learning each week, and the circumstances for tutoring are possible, it's absolutely worth rolling the dice.
Tutors in the Wombat team have a host of experience tutoring primary students - but it also goes further than that. We've selected quality tutors who have work experience as baby sitters, work experience in childcare, work experience with early learning academic difficulties and diagnosed neurodivergence, and more!