I think I speak for all of us when I say that we want to give our children the best education possible. And, of course, if we could spend as much money as we wanted to on our children then we would.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. So, for many of us, we’re looking for ways to educate on a budget.
Whether a child is at school or home educated, there are costs either way. But the great thing about Home Education is that you’re in control of these costs, and it doesn’t need to be expensive.
I think I speak for all of us when I say that we want to give our children the best education possible. And, of course, if we could spend as much money as we wanted to on our children then we would.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. So, for many of us, we’re looking for ways to educate on a budget.
Depending on your budget, how you home educate and what your child wants from their education will affect how much you spend.
Here are a few potential costs to think about.
Home Education essentials and stationary can be as simple as a pack of pens, colours and notebooks or as much as an arts and crafts shop!
It really comes down to what your child enjoys doing. Check out our ultimate list of homeschool essentials!
A curriculum provides learning in a more structured way. Children can learn at their own pace, and there are a wide variety of curriculums available.
Remember, you don’t have to follow the national curriculum.
Some curriculums are free, some you pay monthly for, and some have a one-time upfront cost. See our list of potential Home Education curriculums here!
Did you know that children can take exams at any age? And they can take as little as one exam or as many as they like. This can be done over a number of years or within a smaller time frame.
The only thing to remember is that there is a fee per exam and these vary depending on the exam board, subject and level e.g. GCSE, A-Level etc. Often you can pay for a bundle which includes the course (all the learning resources) and taking the exam itself.
There are subscriptions for just about anything nowadays, from educational resources to software and streaming services.
Some home educators may choose to hire a tutor for their child, especially if they themselves do not have as much time to teach as they’d like. The cost of tutors can vary but many start at £15 an hour.
Home Education means more time as a family, which often means more days out. Of course, some days out can be free but they also come with costs, depending on where you are going and what activity you are doing.
If you’re a family that enjoys going out then you will likely be using more fuel. But there are also other means of transport, such as bikes and buses, which cost a lot less.
Clubs and extracurricular activities are a great way to fill the days and children get so much out of them. You might be able to find some free groups or clubs near you, but it’s also good to take into account how much these activities might cost.
Every family is going to be different. Your child might not want to take exams, which saves you having to spend money on them. You might also choose not to use tutors if you follow a certain style of Home Education which is more flexible, child-led or activity focused. It’s all down to individual preference and your budget.
Make the most of free resources! There are so many! And often you can find what you’re looking for without having to pay anything.
It’s as easy as typing in “free Home Education resources” online.
It’s easy to get carried away with purchasing Home Education supplies, books, and different curriculums etc. You may think your child needs it all, but they really don’t. And if they do, there’s no harm in buying little by little along the way.
My tip is to only buy what you need there and then. If you’re doing an art project then only buy the essential supplies for it. If you’re looking for a curriculum, then start by buying one and testing it out.
A Home Education group has so many benefits! One of the great things about them is that there are always great days out and events planned.
Being in a group also means that you can split costs between yourselves and share/trade resources and skills.
Why spend money on books when you can borrow them for free? Libraries are full of resources and you can take out what you want as and when you need it.
Without a library card, you might find that you purchase a book and then realise that it’s not what you were hoping for. But you’ve spent the money and are now either stuck with it, have to resell it or even give it away. Borrowing books is so much better!
Make the most of free subscriptions when you can. Many resources offer free trials and memberships, such as Canva and Twinkl. You’ll find that you can get quite a lot out of free subscriptions without having to pay.
Free trials also give you the chance to test out a resource to see if it’s really worth it and right for you.
It’s only worth paying for something if you use it regularly and want to get more out of it.
We’re talking about all things pre-loved, like books, toys, stationary – pretty much anything you can think of. It will save you so much money compared to buying things brand new.
A lot of home educators also choose to sell on their finished curriculums and other resources.
Museums, parks, beaches and free animal sanctuaries are all great days out without having to spend a penny unless you want to. You can really make the most out of these places. Children love them, and they’re very educational.
Learning can be done anywhere, so make the most of the outdoors. You’ll find that you really don’t need that much to make the most of the day. And certain things don’t need to cost you much at all, like taking out a packed lunch.
A National Trust or English Heritage membership is really worth it if your family loves spending time outdoors. Not only are they great for days out, they’re historical and educational.
Some of our best learning experiences have been at these places and they’re all over the UK.
They also don’t cost that much either, considering what you get out of them. A family National Trust membership is currently £12.20 a month and a family English Heritage membership is currently £10 a month.
Whether it’s days out or food shops, discounts are your best friend and will save you money!
Home educators can also get discounts at some UK attractions too. This is often done by booking in groups or providing ‘proof’ that you are Home Educating, e.g. producing a letter from your local LA (if in contact) or having a Home Education Card.
There are also a few websites offering Home Education discounts and a Home Ed Discounts UK Facebook group too.
To save on the cost of tutors — or to save you time, give you a break or allow you to work — get friends and family involved with your child’s education. They don’t need to be experts, and your child will enjoy having someone different teaching them.
You can’t go wrong with doing things in the comfort of your own home. If it’s a rainy day, if you want to save a bit of money, or if you just fancy being indoors then there’s nothing better than being where you’re comfortable and have everything that you need.
Everyone’s budget for Home Education will be different, and that doesn’t mean that your children will lose out. It’s about working with what you’ve got and what you can afford.
Learning doesn’t need to be costly. Just know that, regardless of what you have or haven’t planned to do, your children are learning every single day.
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