Small independent kindergarten centre

Parents and carers, with most families getting help through government child care subsidies, which are usually applied to the fees you charge. Some places may also be state-funded for the year before school.

Daily or session fees per child, with the government subsidy usually passed on as a fee reduction. Income depends on how many places you fill against your staffing costs and rent.

• Early childhood education knowledge or a qualified director to lead it
• Managing and rostering staff
• Clear, caring communication with parents
• Budgeting and record keeping

• Provider and service approval under the National Quality Framework, which can take months, so check requirements with your state regulator
• Staff qualification and educator-to-child ratio rules, which you will need to meet from day one
• Council planning approval, building and fire safety for the premises, and the Working with Children Check for all staff
• Public liability and other insurance, and workers compensation once you hire
• Slow early cash flow while places fill, so plan for several months of costs

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $250,000 to $800,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and how long it takes to fill places. Plan for several months of slow early cash flow while enrolments build.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on licensed places, how full the centre is and the fees you charge. Most families get government child care subsidies, usually applied to those fees. Costs like wages come out of that.

Check provider and service approval under the National Quality Framework, which can take months, with your state regulator. Also check staff qualification and ratio rules, council planning and building approvals, Working with Children Checks, and insurance.