Home education - is it expensive?

Can you home educate on a budget?

Home ed doesn't have to cost lots of money. It can be tailored to suit your budget and means. You don't need to employ tutors, and you don't need to buy expensive subscriptions and resources. The one exception would be sitting exams, as you do have to pay for these yourself. The costs certainly add up with school (my eldest attended school), multiple sets of uniform items, different PE kits, football boots, trainers, smart shoes, stationary, school bags, school trips, travel expenses - and don't forget all those PTA fundraising events emptying your purse too.

You are your child's best free resource, giving your time, love, and knowledge (you know more than you think, and if you don't know about something - learn it alongside your child). You'll quickly recognise your child's interests and passions, and you can then facilitate the learning potential for those in the best way that suits your child. We took an interest (e.g. rocks & gems, Vikings, Egypt, fungi) and used it as a topic to extend on and incorporate different learning areas.

Don't buy lots of educational books/resources/apps, etc. Most will probably sit unused (we've all done it!); discover your child's learning style first. Likewise, don't 'panic subscribe' (these will teach my child everything; they won't fall behind!) to many online educational programs (I did). Settle into home education for a while first; you may find you have wasted money otherwise. Read our extensive lists of valuable resources - there are many free online ones. There are discount groups for home ed families, usually found on Facebook, that can significantly lower the cost of specific educational programs if you find one you like.

Discover stuff locally (we're spoiled for choice here in Devon) - home ed social groups, museums, workshops, visitor attractions (some may offer a home ed discount if you ask), the library (a library card also lets you download ebooks, digital magazines, and audiobooks for free with the 'Libby' app). Nature has a wealth of learning potential; visit nature reserves and National Trust properties, walk in the woods, dip in the river, rockpool at the beach... The Wildlife Trust and The Forestry Commission have fab, free, downloadable resources on their websites.

If budget allows, adding extras in now and then is great, but not essential - things like forest school, sports clubs, music workshops, H.E. group day trips, online Zoom classes, subscription boxes, etc.

Join your local Facebook H.E. groups too; they will have info on group bookings, events, and meetups (usually low cost). Even if you don't use Facebook (yes, it is awful), I recommend joining regardless (with a pseudonym if you like), as SO much home ed related stuff is on there.