Frequently Asked Questions

Laptop Requirements

For most of our courses, any laptop (except a Chromebook) will be sufficient. Please ensure the device is up to date with the latest software updates for smooth performance.

If you would like in-store advice, staff at Officeworks, Harvey Norman, or JB Hi-Fi can provide recommendations.

Recommended specifications:

  • Operating System: Windows

  • Memory: Minimum 8GB RAM

  • Processor: Intel Core i3 or above

  • Typical price range: $600 – $1,200

MacBooks (Apple) are also fully suitable for our courses. They generally offer higher build quality and performance, but come at a higher cost.

iPads are suitable for MakeCode Coding Club only.
For all other classes, students are required to bring a laptop.

Students may:

  • Bring their own personal device, or

  • Borrow a laptop from CodeKids for $100 per term

During school holiday programs at the Northbridge Centre, CodeKids also offers free laptop borrowing for enrolled students.

Trial Lessons, Refunds & Class Changes

We do not offer trial lessons.

However, at CodeKids, we understand the importance of your child’s learning experience and satisfaction.

If your child does not enjoy the lessons, we are happy to offer one of the following options:

  • A free transfer to another suitable class, or

  • A refund for any unused classes

Conditions:

  • Requests must be made within 14 days of the class start date and within 30 days of the enrolment date

  • A $50 administrative fee may be deducted from any refund to cover processing costs

We are committed to working with families to find the right learning fit and to ensure every child has a positive and enjoyable experience with CodeKids.

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 $100 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.

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.

Do you offer payment plans?

There is a ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ or ‘Pay in 4’ option at checkout.

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 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?

We are not a registered NDIS provider, but you may still be eligible for a rebate. Please check with your NDIS provider for eligibility.

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 Club(beginner level).

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.