Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of the most common questions about Flying Colours Education, our programs, assessments, counselling services and how we support families.
About Flying Colours
How is Flying Colours different from tutoring?
Often people look for tutoring. If this is a term that you are aware of then it helps.
We are different to normal tutoring because our therapy is for support with weakness and difficulty. Tutoring is still a common and important term that people use when asking for help for their child with learning but it sometims doesn’t necessarily return back to the basics.
At Flying Colours we see this as key to building a solid foundation. We appreciate and understand that learning is different for everybody. We also understand that everyone has different learning styls and abilities.
Does my child need a diagnosed learning difficulty to attend?
While many of the children who attend Flying Colours Education have diagnosed or suspected learning difficulties, a diagnosis is not required to access our programs.
We support children who may be experiencing learning gaps, low confidence, difficulties keeping up in the classroom, challenges with literacy or numeracy or who simply benefit from a more personalised and engaging approach to learning.
Our evidence-based, multi-sensory programs are designed to meet students where they are and help them build the skills, understanding and confidence they need to succeed.
Whether your child has a diagnosed learning difficulty, is showing signs of learning challenges or simply needs additional support to reach their potential, we are here to help.
What age groups do you support?
Flying Colours Education supports children and young people from the early years through to high school. The age range for each program varies, and we work with students at different stages of their learning and development.
Whether your child is preparing for school, experiencing challenges in primary school, transitioning to high school or requiring support during their secondary years, our team can help identify the most appropriate service for their needs.
If you’re unsure where to start, simply contact our team and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Do you support children with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD and other learning difficulties?
Yes. Our programs are specifically designed to support children experiencing learning difficulties including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD and other learning challenges that may impact literacy, numeracy, attention, organisation or learning at school.
Our educators and therapists receive ongoing training in learning difficulties and evidence-based intervention practices. We use structured, multisensory teaching approaches and personalised learning pathways to support each child’s individual needs.
Importantly, a diagnosis is not required to attend Flying Colours. Many of the students we support have identified learning difficulties, while others may simply be experiencing learning gaps, low confidence or challenges keeping up with classroom expectations.
Our goal is to understand how each child learns best and provide the support they need to experience success.
Learning Suport
How do you determine which program is right for my child?
At Flying Colours Education, we believe effective support begins with understanding.
Before recommending a program, we conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify your child’s strengths, learning gaps and areas requiring additional support. This allows us to gain a clear picture of where your child is currently performing and what skills they need to develop.
We use this information to determine the most appropriate program, group placement and learning pathway for your child. Rather than placing students into programs based solely on age or school year level, we carefully consider their individual learning profile, confidence and specific educational needs.
Our goal is to ensure every child receives targeted support that is meaningful, effective and tailored to their unique learning journey.
Do you offer one-on-one support?
Yes. While many of our programs are delivered in small groups, individual support is available where appropriate.
We believe that learning is not only about developing academic skills, but also about building confidence, independence and the ability to learn alongside others. For this reason, many students benefit greatly from our small-group learning environment where they receive targeted support while also learning from and interacting with their peers.
However, we recognise that every child is different. In some circumstances, one-on-one support may be recommended to address specific learning needs, target particular skill gaps or provide intensive intervention.
Our assessment process helps us determine the most appropriate support option for each child, ensuring they receive the level of intervention best suited to their individual needs.
Why do you teach in small groups?
At Flying Colours Education, we have found that small groups provide many children with the ideal balance of personalised support and social learning opportunities.
Our groups are carefully formed based on students’ learning needs rather than simply their age or school year level. This allows children to work alongside peers who are developing similar skills while still receiving targeted instruction from their educator or therapist.
Small-group learning also helps children develop confidence, independence, resilience, and communication skills. Many students benefit from seeing that they are not alone in their learning challenges and often learn from the questions, ideas and successes of others in the group. Over the years, many lasting friendships have been formed through our programs, helping children feel connected, supported and part of a community.
Importantly, our groups remain small so that every child receives individual attention, ongoing assessment and support tailored to their learning needs.
Where one-on-one intervention is more appropriate, we may recommend individual support to ensure a child receives the level of assistance they require.
Can my child receive enough support in a small group setting?
Yes. Our groups are intentionally kept small to ensure every student receives individual attention, ongoing assessment and targeted instruction.
Unlike traditional classrooms, students at Flying Colours are grouped according to their learning needs and skill level rather than simply their age or school year. This allows our educators and therapists to provide highly focused teaching while ensuring students are working alongside peers who are learning similar concepts.
Many children actually thrive in a small-group environment. Not only do they receive personalised support, but they also benefit from social interaction, opportunities to learn from others and the confidence that comes from realising they are not alone in their learning challenges.
Our educators continually monitor each student’s progress and adjust support as needed. If a child requires more intensive intervention, we may recommend one-on-one support or additional assistance to ensure they receive the level of support they need.
How often will I receive feedback about my child's progress?
Progress looks different for every child and meaningful growth often takes time.
Many students begin their Flying Colours journey by developing the foundational skills necessary for later success. During the early stages of intervention, we may focus on building confidence, strengthening underlying skills and addressing learning gaps before significant changes become visible in classroom performance or academic results.
At Flying Colours we follow the philosophy:
“Go as fast as you can, but as slow as you must.”
Unlike many educational settings where students are expected to move on regardless of their level of understanding, we ensure children have genuinely mastered a concept before progressing. This helps prevent students from becoming overwhelmed or developing further gaps in their learning.
Because every child learns differently, the rate of progress will vary depending on their individual learning profile, the complexity of their needs and the amount of practice and repetition required to achieve mastery.
Our educators provide general feedback at the end of sessions wherever possible and families also receive regular updates throughout the year. If you would like more detailed feedback, our teachers and therapists are always happy to answer questions via email.
Formal progress assessments are typically conducted after approximately 12 months of intervention or when a teacher or therapist believes a student is ready to progress to the next phase of their program. These assessments allow us to measure growth, identify ongoing areas of need and ensure each child’s learning pathway remains appropriate and effective.
What if my child misses a session?
We understand that children occasionally miss sessions due to illness, school commitments, family events or other unforeseen circumstances.
To support families, Flying Colours offers one catch-up session per term, provided at least 12 hours’ notice of the absence is given.
Catch-up sessions are typically scheduled during the same week or the following week, subject to availability. In some cases, catch-up sessions may be held during the school holidays to ensure students can access the support they have missed while maintaining the quality and size of our learning groups.
For students attending one-on-one sessions, catch-up appointments are generally scheduled during the school holiday period following the absence.
As places in our programs are reserved specifically for each child and educators are allocated in advance for the duration of the term, we are unable to offer unlimited make-up sessions for missed classes.
If your child is unable to attend, we encourage you to notify our team as soon as possible.
Can my child attend more than one program?
Absolutely. Many students attend more than one Flying Colours program when additional support is beneficial.
For example, a child may participate in both Literacy and Numeracy Support or combine Learning Support with Counselling Services. The most appropriate combination will depend on your child’s individual needs, goals and learning profile.
While students can attend multiple programs, we generally do not recommend enrolling in two sessions of the same program each week. This is because our programs are carefully planned and delivered by educators who continually monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly. Attending multiple groups within the same program can make it more difficult to maintain continuity of learning and ensure the most effective support is being provided.
If you are considering additional services for your child, our team would be happy to discuss the available options and help determine the most appropriate pathway for their needs.
Can my child start at any time during the year?
Yes. Students can commence Flying Colours programs throughout the year, subject to availability and program suitability.
Before starting, we may recommend an assessment to help us understand your child’s strengths, learning gaps and support needs. This allows us to determine the most appropriate program and group placement.
Because our programs are tailored to individual learning needs rather than strictly following school terms or year-level content, students can join at various points throughout the year and begin working at their own level.
If you are unsure where to start, our team would be happy to discuss your child’s needs and guide you through the enrolment process.
Learning Assessments
Why do students complete an assessment before starting?
At Flying Colours Education, we believe effective support begins with understanding.
Assessments help us identify a child’s strengths, learning gaps and areas requiring additional support so that we can recommend the most appropriate program and learning pathway. Rather than making assumptions based on age or school year level, we use assessment data to gain a clear picture of what a child knows, what they are ready to learn next and where support is needed most.
Assessments also provide a valuable baseline that allows us to monitor progress over time and measure the effectiveness of intervention.
Our goal is to ensure every child receives targeted support that is meaningful, personalised and focused on the skills they genuinely need to develop.
Can Flying Colours diagnose dyslexia, dyscalculia or ADHD?
No. Flying Colours Education does not provide formal diagnoses of dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, dysgraphia or other learning difficulties.
However, our educators and therapists are experienced in recognising indicators commonly associated with learning difficulties. Through our assessments and ongoing work with students, we may identify patterns of strengths and challenges that suggest further investigation could be beneficial.
If concerns arise, we will discuss these with families and, where appropriate, provide guidance regarding the next steps and the professionals who may be able to conduct a formal assessment.
Importantly, a formal diagnosis is not required to access support at Flying Colours. Many of the students we work with have diagnosed learning difficulties, while others may simply be experiencing learning gaps, low confidence or challenges that are impacting their learning at school.
What happens after an assessment?
Following the assessment, our team carefully reviews the results and identifies your child’s strengths, areas of need and any learning gaps that may be impacting their progress.
We then discuss the results with you and provide recommendations regarding the most appropriate next steps. This may include placement into a Flying Colours program, recommendations for additional support, further assessment or strategies that can be implemented at home or school.
If your child enrols in one of our programs, the assessment results are used to develop a personalised learning pathway and ensure they are placed in the most appropriate group for their needs and skill level.
Our goal is not simply to identify challenges, but to provide families with a clear understanding of where their child is currently performing and a plan for how we can help them move forward with confidence.
How do you monitor my child's progress?
Progress is monitored continuously throughout a student’s time at Flying Colours. Our educators and therapists regularly assess understanding during sessions, adjust instruction as needed and monitor mastery of concepts before introducing new learning. In addition to ongoing assessment, formal progress assessments are typically conducted after approximately 12 months of intervention, or when a student is ready to move to the next phase of their program.
Counselling & Wellbeing
Do I need a referral to access counselling?
No. A referral is not required to access counselling services at Flying Colours Education.
Families are welcome to contact us directly to discuss their concerns and determine whether counselling may be appropriate for their child, young person or family.
We understand that reaching out for support can sometimes feel overwhelming and our team is happy to answer any questions you may have about the counselling process before getting started.
If you are unsure whether counselling is the right fit, we encourage you to contact us for a confidential discussion about your needs and the support options available.
Can parents access counselling too?
Yes. Flying Colours Education offers counselling support for parents and carers, recognising that raising and supporting children can sometimes be challenging, particularly when navigating learning difficulties, emotional wellbeing concerns, family changes or other life stressors.
Parent and carer counselling provides a safe and supportive space to explore concerns, develop strategies, build confidence and access professional guidance.
We believe that when parents feel supported, children benefit too. Our goal is to help families feel empowered, understood and equipped to navigate the challenges they may be facing.
How do I book a counselling appointment?
Counselling appointments can be booked online through our website at a time that suits you.
If you would like to speak with the counsellor before making a booking, we are more than happy to arrange this. We understand that finding the right counsellor is important and families often have questions about the counselling process, their child’s needs or whether the service is the right fit.
Simply contact our team and a counsellor will be happy to reach out to discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have before your first appointment.
What happens during the first counselling session?
The first counselling session is primarily about helping your child feel comfortable and beginning to build a positive relationship with their counsellor.
At Flying Colours Education, we understand that meeting someone new and talking about feelings can feel a little daunting for some children. For this reason, the initial session often focuses on getting to know your child, learning about their interests, strengths and experiences, and helping them feel safe and supported within the counselling environment.
In true Flying Colours style, this may involve playing a game, completing an activity or engaging in a child-friendly conversation rather than sitting face-to-face and talking formally. These activities not only help settle nerves but can also make it easier for children to communicate and build trust with their counsellor.
Every child is different and the first session will be tailored to your child’s age, personality and individual needs. Our priority is to create a welcoming environment where children feel comfortable, understood and ready to engage in the counselling process at their own pace.
How long are counselling sessions?
Counselling sessions for children and young people are approximately 45 minutes.
Parent and carer counselling sessions are approximately 60 minutes.
This allows enough time for the counsellor to provide meaningful support while keeping sessions appropriate for the age, needs and attention span of each client.
General Adminstration
How do I join the waitlist for a program that is currently full?
Waitlist procedures vary depending on the service you are interested in.
For our Group Counselling Programs, families can register their interest directly through the Group Counselling page on our website. We will retain your details and contact you when a suitable place becomes available.
For Learning Support Programs, Counselling Services and other Flying Colours programs, we recommend contacting our team directly. We can advise whether a waitlist currently exists and, if required, add your child to the appropriate waitlist.
Where waitlists are in place, families will be contacted as suitable vacancies become available. In some cases, availability may depend on factors such as program suitability, age, learning needs and preferred session times.
If you are unsure about current availability, please contact our team and we will be happy to discuss the options available.
How do payments work?
Flying Colours Education offers two payment options to help accommodate the needs of different families.
Families may choose to pay their fees in full at the commencement of the term or set up a direct debit arrangement.
Direct debit payments are typically processed on Thursdays; however, we understand that every family’s circumstances are different and can often adjust the payment day upon request to better align with individual pay schedules.
Please note that additional fees may apply if a direct debit payment is declined or if a credit card is used for direct debit payments. Further information regarding payment terms and applicable fees is available during the enrolment process.
If you have any questions about payment options, our team will be happy to discuss the most suitable arrangement for your family.
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