When a child falls behind in reading, parents usually look to their school first. In Kingston, both our local public and catholic school boards have some absolutely stellar dedicated teachers and specific intervention tools designed to catch kids before they slip through the cracks.
However, many parents are finding that the system is facing unprecedented pressure. If you are trying to figure out how to get your child the help they need within or alongside the school system, here is what you need to know.
Understanding School Intervention (Like the Empower Program)
You may have heard your child’s school mention Empower Reading. Developed by the specialists at SickKids, Empower is a highly respected, research-backed reading intervention program used across Ontario. When delivered as intended, it is excellent. I sincerely hope it’s being offered at your child’s school!
However, the challenge in modern classrooms isn’t the quality of these programs; it’s the capacity.
- Limited Spots: Because resources are tightly managed, schools often have to prioritize the absolute lowest-performing students first. A child who is “just a bit behind” or floating under the radar might not qualify.
- Group Dynamics: Empower and similar school-day interventions are typically taught in small groups. For a child dealing with deep reading anxiety, even a small group can feel intimidating enough to make them shut down.
- Pacing: School programs have to keep moving. If your child needs an extra week to truly lock in a specific sound pattern, the group may have already moved on.
How Daytime “School Pull-Out” Tutoring Works
To bridge this gap, many Kingston families choose private, one-on-one support. At Limestone Reading, I offer School-Day Pull-Out sessions at our downtown Kingston classroom.
✏ Join Limestone Reading’s waitlist now.
Understandably, parents often ask: Am I allowed to take my child out of school for private tutoring?
The short answer is yes. Under Ontario education guidelines, parents have the right to arrange private instruction for their children. Many families find that a daytime slot works beautifully because:
- Your child is fresh: Attempting to do heavy, brain-intensive reading work at 5:30 PM after a grueling 6-hour school day is incredibly tough on a frustrated kid. At 10:00 AM, their energy and focus are at their peak.
- It protects family time: Choosing a daytime slot keeps your evenings open for sports, family dinners, and much-needed downtime.
Working Together with Your Child’s Teacher
Private tutoring shouldn’t conflict with what your child is doing in class; it should support it. I welcome open communication with your child’s classroom teacher or resource team.
When everyone is pulling in the same direction, your child catches up faster, feels less fragmented, and can finally bring that newfound reading confidence back into their regular classroom.