Announcing my retirement as a tutor- when to tell?

[Notsoscaryteacher]

Like some opinions on this if anyone has any.
I've been tutoring for a number of years - children with dyslexia and dyspraxia. I have almost certainly (!) decided that the next academic year will be my last- unless unforeseen circumstances arise, so would stop by the summer of 2013.

I know most of the other tutors in my local area and know they have waiting lists. If parents want to replace me, then they will need to contact other teachers. Of course they may decide not to continue with any tutor. I don't want to tell parents too soon- or they will leave before I am ready- but I thought easter 2013 was reasonable which gives them a term.

Does this sound reasonable- or too soon/too late?

Our children have, inter alia, dyslexia, dyspraxia diagnoses, but we've never managed to find the energy to research and find tutors, so perhaps my view is less 'intense' as those who do. When a music teacher told us she was to undergo cancer treatment, we didn't desert her, unlike some, and she was, as you seem, professional and did her utmost to help the transfer. We stayed for those of our children where her instrument was not their first study, to the end. Retirement is a positive event, and you're around for advice, if not actual 'service', anyway.

Easter in my view is plenty early, I would rather go for May half term, because you know it would make no difference to the child's progress. Expect that there will be some who actually think possibly missing out on a tutor for say a term will change their children's lives. But we know they'll get over it. You only retire once, hopefully.

I'd find out how long the waiting lists are and tell according to that.

You could contact the other tutors and ask about their waiting lists, then let your pupils know how long they are. I think, to be fair to the pupils, it is better that they drop off early if a place comes up elsewhere, than that you keep them until you retire and then they struggle to find a replacement tutor.