#09 Fees - What will it cost to help my child?
6 February 2022 · 2 min · as at 2022-02-06
Presenter (host)
Listen to the episode on iono.fm · MP3
Episode analysis
Analysis by AI, drawn only from this episode; every point links to the moment it rests on.
This short episode answers the parent's question of how much extra lessons will cost. The presenter asks the questions as a parent. Two experts, both Kip McGrath centre owners at the time of recording, answer them. They argue that the cost cannot be quoted before a child is assessed. They say parents should compare what providers deliver rather than headline prices. They also point out that a child's own effort and ability affect what is spent. The episode closes with the advice to take the child for an assessment.
Key ideas
- S1 compares the question to asking what a car costs: it depends on what you are buying, such as hours or lessons, and the quality of teaching. [00:14]▸ [00:19]▸ [00:21]▸
- S2 argues that parents should compare providers on lesson duration, frequency, content, tutor qualifications and programmes rather than on price. [00:44]▸ [00:44]▸
- S2 says the way forward cannot be known before the child is assessed, and the child may not need extra lessons at all. [00:29]▸ [00:35]▸
- The host likens it to two children needing braces: the cost is unknown until each child is assessed. [01:01]▸
- S1 says the child's eagerness and ability to learn, and their willingness to do the work, also define how much a parent will pay. [01:25]▸ [01:41]▸
Lessons
- S2 advises that when phoning around, parents should ask about lesson duration, frequency, content and tutor qualifications instead of only asking for prices. [00:44]▸
- According to S2, an assessment comes before any quote, because the child may not need extra lessons. [00:29]▸ [01:14]▸
- S1 argues that spending money alone does not fix the problem: the child still has to sit down and do the work. [01:25]▸ [01:41]▸
- The host gives the first step as taking the child for an assessment. Parents can book a free assessment at one of the ten Kip McGrath centres featured on kiplessons.co.za. [01:14]▸ [01:45]▸
Who it's for
Parents in South Africa who are considering extra lessons for their child and are phoning around to compare costs between tutoring providers.
Facts stated in the episode
- S2 states that the assessment is free and non-obligatory, followed by a discussion on the way forward. [01:14]▸
Questions this episode answers
- How much do extra lessons cost?The speakers say it depends, like asking what a car costs. The cost depends on what is being bought and on the child's needs, which are only known after an assessment. [00:14]▸ [00:19]▸ [01:01]▸
- Should I choose a tutoring centre based on price?S2 says it is not about the prices but about what you get from the provider. Compare those things as opposed to the price. [00:44]▸ [00:44]▸
- What should I compare between extra lesson providers?S1 suggests checking whether you are buying hours or lessons and the quality of teaching. S2 adds lesson duration, how often lessons happen, what they entail, whether the tutors are qualified and whether the programmes are solid. [00:19]▸ [00:44]▸
- Is the Kip McGrath assessment free and do I have to sign up afterwards?S2 says the assessment is free and non-obligatory. Afterwards there is a discussion on the way forward. [01:14]▸
- Does my child definitely need extra lessons?Not necessarily. S2 says the child may not even require extra lessons, which is why they assess first. [00:29]▸ [00:35]▸
- Will paying more get my child better results faster?S1 says money might not be the issue. The child still has to do the work and exercises, and their eagerness and ability to learn define how much you pay. [01:25]▸ [01:41]▸
- What is the first step if I'm thinking about extra lessons?The host says the first thing to do is take your child in for an assessment. [01:45]▸
In their own words
Longer stretches of the conversation, word for word from the transcript, turn by turn.
Why price alone cannot answer the cost question
Note (AI): Sets out the experts' argument that parents should compare what they get from an extra lessons provider, such as lesson length, frequency, content and tutor qualifications, rather than the price.
Presenter, host · [00:00]They say that you can't put a price on education. Well, if you're one of these parents who are looking at having extra lessons, I'm sure that you can, and I'm sure one of the most often asked questions would be, how much is this going to cost me? …
Read the full passage (199 words, 00:00–00:58)
Presenter, host · [00:00]They say that you can't put a price on education. Well, if you're one of these parents who are looking at having extra lessons, I'm sure that you can, and I'm sure one of the most often asked questions would be, how much is this going to cost me?
Unidentified speaker, speaker, role not identified · [00:14]I'm going to ask you a question. How much does a car cost?
Presenter, host · [00:17]Depends on the car, I would imagine.
Unidentified speaker, speaker, role not identified · [00:19]The same thing applies to extra lessons. It's important to compare what you're buying. Are you buying hours or lessons? What's the quality of teaching you're going to get from it?
Unidentified speaker, speaker, role not identified · [00:29]And Melanie, honestly, we did not even assess your child yet, so how do we know how to move forward? Your child may not even require extra lessons.
Presenter, host · [00:38]I'm a parent. I'm now phoning around to all the different centers to try and get an idea of how much this is going to cost me.
Unidentified speaker, speaker, role not identified · [00:44]It's not about the prices. It's about what are you getting from the extra lesson providers. What's the duration of the lessons? How often is the lessons? What does the lessons entail? Are the tutors qualified? Are they using good solid programs for them?
Assessment and effort decide what lessons cost
Note (AI): Explains that cost depends on the child's assessed needs and effort, that the assessment is free and non-obligatory, and gives parents a clear first step.
Presenter, host · [01:01]So it's like having two children, and they both need braces, but one doesn't need as much work as the other one. I have no idea how much it's going to cost until I actually go in and have my child assessed, and then they can give you a program for the future. …
Read the full passage (174 words, 01:01–01:50)
Presenter, host · [01:01]So it's like having two children, and they both need braces, but one doesn't need as much work as the other one. I have no idea how much it's going to cost until I actually go in and have my child assessed, and then they can give you a program for the future.
Unidentified speaker, speaker, role not identified · [01:13]Exactly that. So you come in for the free assessment, and the assessment is non-obligatory, and you just take it from there, and you have a discussion on the way forward.
Unidentified speaker, speaker, role not identified · [01:23]And another important thing, Melanie, is money might not be the issue. Your child still needs to go. Through the program, they still need to sit, do the work, do the all the exercises, depending on how eager they are to learn and how able they are to learn, that will also define how much you're going to pay.
Presenter, host · [01:41]Just throwing money at the problem will not necessarily solve it.
Unidentified speaker, speaker, role not identified · [01:44]Absolutely not.
Presenter, host · [01:45]So number one on the list of things to do, parents, take your child in for an assessment.
Quotes
“They say that you can't put a price on education.”
“I'm going to ask you a question. How much does a car cost?”
“It's important to compare what you're buying. Are you buying hours or lessons?”
“Your child may not even require extra lessons.”
“It's not about the prices. It's about what are you getting from the extra lesson providers.”
“Just throwing money at the problem will not necessarily solve it.”
What was said, by topic
Comparing tutoring providers
“The same thing applies to extra lessons. It's important to compare what you're buying. Are you buying hours or lessons? What's the quality of teaching you're going to get from it?”
“It's not about the prices. It's about what are you getting from the extra lesson providers. What's the duration of the lessons? How often is the lessons? What does the lessons entail? Are the tutors qualified? Are they using good solid programs for them? And you should compare those things as opposed to the price.”
Free assessment first
“And Melanie, honestly, we did not even assess your child yet, so how do we know how to move forward? Your child may not even require extra lessons.”
“So you come in for the free assessment, and the assessment is non-obligatory, and you just take it from there, and you have a discussion on the way forward.”
“So number one on the list of things to do, parents, take your child in for an assessment.”
Cost of extra lessons
“So it's like having two children, and they both need braces, but one doesn't need as much work as the other one. I have no idea how much it's going to cost until I actually go in and have my child assessed,”
Learner effort and progress
“money might not be the issue. Your child still needs to go. Through the program, they still need to sit, do the work, do the all the exercises, depending on how eager they are to learn and how able they are to learn, that will also define how much you're going to pay.”
Episode notes (as published)
From the episode notes published with the podcast.
Welcome to Kip McGrath Extra Lessons FAQ Educating their children is the best investment a parent can make. Do you have a question not answered here? Then please contact us via our website KipLessons.co.za Visit KipLessons.co.za if you're ready to book your child's FREE Assessment. Book your FREE assessment now · Book your FREE assessment now
Every quotation and passage on this page is copied word for word from the episode audio transcript and linked to the moment it was said. Quotations are never written or altered by AI; topic labels, passage notes and the episode analysis are AI-generated. Guest details come from the published episode notes or the guest's own words.
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