Kumon vs. TutorLyft

Kumon doesn't publish one national price. Each centre lists its own tuition, charged per subject. The 16 Canadian centre pages we checked list $160 to $220 per subject a month. Vancouver centres are at the top of that range, and centres in Winnipeg, Edmonton and Regina are at the bottom. Centres also list a registration fee of $75 to $80 per student and a materials fee of $25 to $30. Two subjects cost about double. Ask your local centre for its current written price list.

Often, yes. One subject at a Toronto Kumon centre is listed at $185 a month. The first month adds an $80 registration fee and a $30 materials fee, for $295. After that it's $185 a month.

Four 1-hour TutorLyft lessons with a $55/hour tutor cost $220 a month, with no sign-up fee. Book 10 or more lessons with the same tutor and you save 5%.

So Kumon can cost less per month. The difference is what you get: Kumon gives two centre visits a week plus daily worksheets at home. TutorLyft gives four hours of 1-on-1 teaching with a tutor you chose.

They do different jobs. Kumon says it isn't tutoring. Your child works through Kumon's own worksheets, starting from a placement test, and an instructor guides them while they figure the work out on their own. Kumon itself suggests a tutor may be the better choice when your child has a test coming up or you have limited time. Choose Kumon for long-term practice and to work ahead. Choose a tutor for help with current classes, a specific topic or test prep.

Students typically visit their Kumon centre twice a week, and do 15 to 30 minutes of worksheets at home on the other days. The monthly fee covers both. On TutorLyft you decide how often lessons happen, from a single lesson to a weekly slot, and each lesson is 1-on-1 with the tutor you chose.

It depends on what your child needs. Kumon builds math and reading skills step by step through daily practice, and many children end up working above their school grade. Kumon says it isn't a quick fix and takes time and effort, so it suits children who will do worksheets every day. It uses its own worksheet sequence, set by your child's level rather than their grade, so it isn't built around this term's homework. If your child needs help with current classes, a specific topic or a test, a tutor is usually the better fit.

Each Kumon centre sets its own rules, so ask yours for the written policy. The two Canadian centres we found that publish one both ask for 30 days' written notice before your child stops, and your child stays enrolled during that time. One of them charges the $80 registration fee again if your child is away for more than a month and then comes back. TutorLyft has no notice period: you pay per lesson and can cancel a lesson for a full refund up to 24 hours before it starts.