Small neighbourhood preschool centre

Parents, usually with help from the Child Care Subsidy if your service is approved. In some states, government kindergarten funding also applies.

Daily or weekly fees per enrolled child, plus government fee relief paid through approved services. Income depends on how many places you fill against your staffing costs.

• Early childhood education knowledge
• Managing and rostering staff
• Clear communication with parents
• Budgeting and record keeping

• Provider and service approval from your state regulator before you can operate
• Educator qualification and staff-to-child ratio rules, which differ by state and child age
• Working with Children Checks for all staff and Child Care Subsidy approval through Services Australia
• Council planning approval, building and fire safety requirements for the site
• Public liability and other required insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Slow enrolment build-up, so make sure you have enough cash to cover early months

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $150,000 to $450,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and how many children you plan to cater for. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $25,000 to $120,000 once enrolments build up.

Things to check include provider and service approval from your state regulator, educator qualification and ratio rules, Working with Children Checks, Child Care Subsidy approval through Services Australia, and council planning, building and fire safety requirements for the site.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $25,000 to $120,000, depending on enrolments and the ages of the children. Enrolments can build up slowly, so check you have enough cash to cover the early months.