Frequently Asked Questions

Is it necessary to bring my iPad or laptop to the class?

iPad are suitable for all MakeCode clubs.

For other classes, it is recommended that students bring their own laptops to the class. Students have the option to bring their personal device or borrow one from CodeKids at a cost of $60 per term.

During the school holiday program at the Northbridge Centre, Codekids offers the opportunity for students to borrow a laptop free of charge.

What specifications should my child’s laptop meet?

Any laptop will suffice for most of the courses. It is recommended to ensure that your laptop is updated with the latest software updates to ensure smooth functioning of the programs.

However, for certain subjects like Minecraft, Roblox, or Game Development courses, it is advisable to have a laptop with a minimum of 8GB RAM and an Intel Core i3 or above processor. MacBooks (M1/M2) are also suitable for these courses.

Do you offer trial lessons?

We do not offer trial lessons. However, if your child does not enjoy the lessons, we will offer another class free of charge or refund any unused classes. This can only happen within 14 days from the start date and 30 days from the enrollment date. Please be aware that a $50 administrative charge may be deducted from the refund amount to cover processing costs.

Do you offer class refunds or class changes?

Yes. At Codekids, we understand the importance of your child’s satisfaction and learning experience.

If your child does not enjoy the lessons, we will offer another class free of charge or refund any unused classes. This can only happen within 14 days from the start date and 30 days from the enrollment date. Please be aware that a $50 administrative charge may be deducted from the refund amount to cover processing costs.

We are committed to finding the right learning fit for your child. Our goal is to ensure that your child has a positive and enjoyable learning experience with us.

What does my child need to bring to class?

A laptop and water bottle are recommended. If your child does not have a laptop, they can borrow one from CodeKids at a cost of $60 per term(deposit: $400). However, during the school holiday program at the Northbridge Centre, Codekids offers the opportunity for students to borrow a laptop free of charge. During school holidays we recommend students also bring snacks to eat during the break of the lesson.

How big are the classes?

Classes held at Northbridge have 2-6 students. Classes held at Rossmoyne SHS, Perth Modern School, and Shelley PS have 4-10 students.

Can my child join with no experience in coding?

Our Introductory and Beginner levels, as well as our after-school coding clubs, are ideal for students who haven’t learned coding before. They will start from the very beginning, learning all the basics and fundamental concepts.

Can my child enrol after the start date?

Yes.

How long are the classes?

Codekids coding clubs typically last for 1 hour per session, held once a week over a span of 8 weeks. On the other hand, Codekids coding classes at the Northbridge Centre are generally 1 hour and 30 minutes long, once a week for 8 weeks. There are also classes that have a duration of 2 hours, taking place once a week over a period of 6 weeks.

Regarding school holiday classes, they are conducted for a duration of 2 to 3 hours, occurring for 1 to 4 days during the school holiday week.

Do you offer payment plans?

No, we do not offer payment plans.

What if my child has learnt some Scratch or/and Python at school?

We always recommend that students start their chosen course from the Beginner levels, such as our Scratch & Computational Thinking Club or MakeCode/Minecraft coding program. However, if they have already learned Python at school, they can start from the Intermediate level.

Does my child get a make-up lesson if they are away?

No, students do not receive makeup lessons if they are absent. Makeup lessons are only provided if a scheduled lesson is cancelled.

Are you a NDIS registered provider?

No, we are not a registered NDIS provider. Please check with NDIS for rebate.

However, we do offer 1-on-1 classes specifically designed for students with special needs. These classes are tailored to accommodate the unique learning requirements and abilities of each student. Our experienced instructors provide individualised attention and support to ensure a positive and inclusive learning experience.

Where are your class locations?

You can find the locations of our classes on our website at https://codekids.com.au/our-campuses/

This page will provide you with details about the various campuses where our classes are held.

Can Codekids run before/after-school coding clubs at my child’s school?

Possibly. Please refer us to your school teacher, ICT leader, or principal, so we can discuss the possibility of running our coding programs at your school. You can find more information about our before/after-school coding club partnerships on our website at https://codekids.com.au/before-after-school-coding-club-school-partnerships/.

Other useful FAQs from student parents

Q: I would like to enquire about the Python Beginner Club.

Just one question: I understand that you usually want the student to attend for a year at Beginner level before going to the intermediate level.

Does that mean the Beginner Club starts from start of year (and is really a year long course) – and so is not suitable for a total beginner to join the club in Term 4?

A: Thanks for your enquiry. New students can join the Python beginner club in any school term.

The club will be taught at the beginner level, so it is suitable for both new and current students.

The students will improve their understanding of the Python programming language by taking more hands-on practice and gaining experience. New coding projects will taught each term.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Q: How long do you recommend studying in the Scratch club? Why do children need 4 terms to graduate from the program? Are you repeating the same content every term?

A: Honestly, coding and programming are not easy, even for adults. At Codekids, we use different and similar projects to teach students computational thinking through creating games and stories. This approach allows children to improve their practical skills and understanding of programming language logic. There are also numerous long-term benefits.

The Codekids approach is hands-on, allowing children to acquire essential programming and computational thinking skills without realizing it. This is actually the best way to learn!

Learning coding is similar to learning to drive a car or another human language—practice, practice, and practice! Four terms equate to about 32 hours of classroom learning, which is suitable for new learners of this visual-based programming language.

Q: Why should kids learn coding? What are the long-term benefits?

A: There is a comprehensive summary from a leading university outlining the seven reasons why kids should learn to code. You can find it here: https://codekids.com.au/7-reasons-why-kids-should-learn-coding-and-programming/

Q: My child is in year 5 now. He did the Python beginner club for the past 3 terms and wants to try the challenge course.

A: Thanks for the email. Programming is not an easy subject, and our goal is to get our students to the highest level possible while they enjoy the learning, which will take multiple years of effort. We find that students with a very solid foundation will be more confident and successful in their later studies.

If your child is very confident with the class contents from the last term, it will be time to go to the intermediate club/class.

If there are still some contents about which he has not mastered them practically, study another term at beginner level is highly recommended.