An in-home private teacher: how to screen them and what rules to agree on

The four official record checks to request

All four checks can be done online using the document type and number. The simplest, most respectful approach is to ask the teacher to run the checks themselves and share the certificates or a screenshot: the Police criminal records portal’s terms of use ask users to look up only their own information and consider looking up someone else’s information improper. Explain naturally why you are asking; a responsible professional will understand, because it is what any cautious family would do. The portals change their layouts from time to time, so if a link moves, go through each agency’s homepage.

The Police check usually provides the most reassurance, while the corrective measures check is the one most often overlooked. Save the certificates the teacher shares, along with their dates, in case you want to compare them later. This is about mutual trust, not spying on them.

What a certificate doesn't tell you

A certificate with no entries is a good sign, but it has limits you should know about so you don't become overconfident:

• It only shows what has already reached an authority. Behavior that was never reported won't appear in any system.
• It says nothing about their teaching style. Someone can have a clean record and still be impatient, late, or simply a poor teacher.
• It's a snapshot of the day you checked. So if the relationship lasts months or years, trust is renewed through observation and communication, not an old piece of paper.
• It doesn't verify their musical training. That's what an audition, references, and a trial lesson are for.

Think of certificates as an initial screening. What really gives you confidence is the combination: documents, references, a conversation, and clear rules from day one.

References and the first conversation

Before scheduling, set aside twenty minutes for a phone or video call. It's not an interrogation; it's a conversation between two adults who want what's best for the child. Some questions that can tell you a lot:

• What age groups have you worked with, and how do you organize a first lesson for a child my child's age?
• Where have you taught before (schools, academies, other families), and who could I speak with?
• How do you communicate with parents: after each lesson, by message, or through a progress notebook?
• What do you do if the child gets frustrated, distracted, or doesn't want to play that day?
• How do you handle cancellations and makeup lessons?

If they give you references, actually call them. Ask something specific, not just “Are they a good person?”: “How did your child do with them?”, “Were they on time?”, “Would you hire them again?” Evasive answers matter too. To assess their musical and teaching skills, the trial lesson guide and 10 questions for choosing a music teacher give you a step-by-step method.

House rules that protect your child

Clear rules protect everyone: the child, the family, and the teacher, who also feels more comfortable when everything is transparent. Here are the rules we recommend for any private lesson involving minors:

1. A responsible adult is home throughout the lesson. They don't have to sit beside the child, but should be available and visible from time to time.
2. A visible space or an open door. The living room, dining room, or study is better than a closed room. If the instrument is in the child's bedroom, the door stays open.
3. No unexpected physical contact. To correct posture, the teacher can demonstrate on their own instrument or ask permission before touching the child's hands. It's good teaching practice as well as a safety measure.
4. Communication goes through the parents, not the child. Schedules, changes, and payments are arranged with the responsible adult. Avoid ongoing private conversations between the teacher and a minor through messages, social media, or video games.
5. Photos and videos only with permission. Recording a short segment to help the child practice is useful; posting or sharing it without permission is not.
6. No secret gifts or favors. The family should know about any gift or gesture between the teacher and child.
7. You know who's coming. The person entering your home must be the person you agreed on. If the teacher sends someone else in their place, the lesson waits until you've discussed it.

These rules don't have to suggest mistrust: present them as “this is how lessons work in our home.” A good teacher accepts them without a problem. If someone takes offense or tries to get around them, that tells you something important. Our guide to how in-home music lessons work also explains what space to prepare and the family's role.

Written agreements: schedules, payments, and cancellations

A clear message before the first lesson prevents many misunderstandings. You don't need a lawyer-drafted contract; a note you can both refer to later, on WhatsApp or by email, is enough. Include these points:

If your child is young, it also helps to define what's expected of the family: an adult nearby to remind them to practice and help the lesson start on time. In early music education, for example, adult participation in the first few sessions often makes a big difference.

Warning signs and what to do if something feels off

Trust your intuition, but back it up with facts. These signs justify taking a pause:

• The teacher refuses to share their Colombian ID number, discuss references, or accept an adult being home.
• They insist on teaching alone with the child, behind a closed door or somewhere out of sight.
• They ask to communicate directly with the child through social media or private messages, or ask the child to keep secrets.
• They make comments or gestures involving physical contact that make you or your child uncomfortable.
• They suddenly change schedules, locations, or rates without explanation.
• Your child, who used to enjoy lessons, starts avoiding them, gets anxious before the teacher arrives, or has mood changes with no obvious reason.

One sign alone doesn't prove anything, but it deserves attention. If something worries you, speak with your child calmly, without turning it into an interrogation: “How do you feel during lessons?”, “Is there anything you don't like?” Listen without overreacting so they feel safe telling you, and suspend lessons while you find out more.

How we work at A medio tono

At A medio tono, every teacher is assessed on musical skills, teaching ability, and how they treat people before their first lesson. This is our screening of how they play, teach, and interact with others; it doesn't replace the checks each family chooses to make. That's why we encourage you to run your own checks and get to know the person before starting.

In practice, this means you know in advance who's coming, can view their profile, and can arrange schedules with the responsible adult through WhatsApp. Lessons take place in Bogotá and the surrounding area, depending on each teacher's availability, or online by video call. For young children starting from scratch, see our early music education lessons, or if your child already has an instrument in mind, our piano, violin, and guitar lessons.

Frequently asked questions