Small independent nursery school

Local families, with most receiving the Child Care Subsidy, which is paid to the service and reduces the fees parents pay. Some centres also take private or employer-linked bookings.

Daily or sessional fees per child. Income depends on how many licensed places you fill, so staffing costs and enrolments need careful planning.

• Understanding of early childhood education
• Managing and rostering a team
• Budgeting and compliance record-keeping
• Good communication with parents

• Provider and service approval under the National Quality Framework, which can take months, so check your state regulator's process
• Council planning or development approval for a childcare centre and building fit-out standards
• Educator qualifications and staff-to-child ratios, which are set by regulations and vary by age group and state
• Working with Children Checks for all staff, plus Child Care Subsidy approval through Services Australia
• Public liability, workers compensation and other insurance, and the cost of ramping up enrolments before the centre breaks even
• High upfront costs for fit-out and equipment, so check what finance and cash buffer you would need

Startup costs are typically around $150,000 to $600,000, depending on the premises, the fit-out, the equipment and the cash buffer you need while enrolments build. These are estimates, so check what finance and reserves you would need.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on the centre's size, the age groups you cater for and how quickly enrolments fill. This is revenue rather than profit, and enrolments take time to build.

Check provider and service approval under the National Quality Framework, which can take months, and council planning approval and fit-out standards. Also check educator qualifications, ratios, Working with Children Checks, Child Care Subsidy approval through Services Australia, and insurance.