Private Tutoring and Teaching Terms & Conditions

What a good one includes

• A detailed breakdown of your rates, payment schedules, and accepted payment methods, such as upfront monthly packages or pay-as-you-go billing.
• A strict window for cancellations and clear rules regarding when a student forfeits their session fee for failing to show up.
• A policy outlining how long you will wait for a tardy student and confirming that late arrivals do not extend the scheduled session end time.
• An intellectual property clause clarifying that all custom lesson plans, worksheets, and teaching materials remain your exclusive property.
• A behavior code of conduct for lessons, including required preparation, distraction-free environments, and expectations for parental supervision of minors.
• A clear pathway for either party to end the tutoring relationship, including required notice periods and how outstanding pre-payments will be refunded.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Failing to define a strict 24-hour cancellation policy, which leaves you financially vulnerable to last-minute student schedule changes.
• Using overly dense, hyper-legalistic jargon that confuses parents and makes them hesitant to sign the agreement.
• Neglecting to outline policies for online sessions, such as responsibility for technical difficulties or internet drops.
• Being too flexible with verbal exceptions, which undermines the written agreement and creates inconsistent boundaries.

Frequently asked questions