Private tutor

[Littlebriard]

Having relocated due to work commitments, my son has been at preschool /nursery for a month now and hates it. We are looking at hiring a personal tutor instead.

Our son is 3 and we are planning to return to the uk by next September, so looking for a tutor who can make sure that he will not fall behind during that time. The 3 schools we have selected in the uk all require assessment before entry.

We have 3 candidates selected from a reputable Agency, but I have to interview them, and I don't know what questions to ask.

So far

1. Understanding and knowledge of pre key stage 1 curriculum
2. Sickness policy
3. Progress updates

I'm feeling a bit lost

What, he's 3?! I don't understand why you need a tutor for a 3 yr old. What do the schools expect him to be able to do at 4? Or is it that you need to be at work and therefore need the childcare? Anyhoo, I would primarily find out what the school requires and get an understanding of what the tutors experience is at teaching very young children - surely it's all play based at 3 anyway? Maybe a bit of early literacy at a stretch? Mainly I would concentrate on them being a lovely warm hearted person who would be kind and fun to be around and interested in my son. I s'pose a police check and excellent refs would be important. Also could you address why he hates his nursery so much?

The UK schools no doubt have pre-entry assessments but I doubt very much that they would be at age 4. Kids don't start school in the UK until they are 4 so what do they expect him to do before he reaches school?

Kids who are assessed at 4 for school entry cannot be tutored for the tests! In fact being over tutored rather than learning: how to interact with others, how to be boisterous, how to be inquisitive and have a zest for learning; would be counter-productive.
Tests at 4 do not sit kids down and give them an exam paper. They normally watch them in a group setting, asking a few questions. Schools also expect to have to teach them to read etc.

Agree. Much more likely to be a development assessment (how does he play, does he know how old he is, can he hold a pencil, listen to a story etc) rather than an academic assessment as it is not required at age 4 that children have academic experience.

He's 3!
What is a private tutor going to do? Build lego?
I think you need to be looking into why a 3 yr old "hates" nursery rather than worrying about something unlikely to really be a problem.He needs to be playing, and learning to interact with others, not being tutored.

For the UK schools, I would contact them, and ask for some guidance about what they will be assessing the children on. Explain you are overseas, and feel a bit removed from UK content.
Some schools also have guides on their website. They generally are interested in children knowing shapes/possible numbers/able to sit and listen to story and answer questions. Schools know that it is very difficult to assess at this early age, as they are so little, bright little buttons may just not feel up to answering questions on that day, and may even refuse to say goodbye to Mummy to go in the assessment!
Many London agencies which specialise in 7+ assessments cannot provide tutors for 4+ assessments, because it is such a tricky area.
I would look at spending time with your little one, reading stories, asking him questions about the story, looking at shapes and numbers. If you are able, put his name down for some non-selective schools, which will take the pressure off, and then you can just enjoy your boy learning and growing at his own rate.
All the best.