Education business ideas you can start for up to C$20,000
26 ideas
These 29 education business ideas suit people who want to teach, train or care for learners without a large upfront investment. Some run from home, such as a licensed home child care provider or a home-based preschool group.
Licensed home child care provider
Run a regulated home child care with a licence or agency, which can mean more children and access to subsidy families.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Full-time
- From home
Licensed home child care
Look after a small group of young children in your own home while their parents work.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Full-time
- From home
Bilingual home childcare for small groups
Look after a few young children at home each day, using two languages through play, songs and stories.
- C$2k-8k
- Full-time
- From home
Licensed home-based child care and early learning
Care for a small group of young children in your own home with play-based learning, routines and outdoor time.
- C$2k-8k
- Full-time
- From home
Home-based Montessori preschool
Run a small Montessori-style preschool group from a dedicated space in your home for local families.
- C$5k-20k
- Part-time
- From home
Home-based licensed preschool group
Offer a small, licensed, play-based early years group in your own home for a handful of local children.
- C$2k-10k
- Part-time
- From home
Pop-up woodworking workshops for groups
Bring portable kits and hand-tool projects to community centres, libraries, schools and private group events.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
On-site job skills training for local employers
Take short, job-focused courses to employers' workplaces and train their staff on site.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online career training with live evening classes
Teach a job-ready skill through live online classes and coached practice, from your own home.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Weekend Chinese language school for kids
Run Saturday or Sunday Mandarin or Cantonese classes for children in a rented classroom or community hall.
- C$1.5k-7k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile farm visits for schools, daycares and parties
Bring a few calm farm animals and a short hands-on lesson to schools, daycares, libraries and birthday parties.
- C$4k-18k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Student exchange and homestay placement agency
Match overseas students with local schools and vetted host families, run from a home office.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Modelling and presentation classes in a rented studio
Teach posing, walking and portfolio skills in small evening or weekend groups, using hired studio or hall space.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Independent driving instructor
Teach new and nervous drivers in a dual-control car, with lessons booked around your own week.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile telecom and cabling training workshops
Run short, hands-on fibre and network cabling courses at employers' sites or rented rooms.
- C$4k-20k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Neighbourhood summer day camp
Run weekly day camps for local kids in a rented hall, church or school space, with a mix of games, crafts and outings.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
English day camp for newcomer and visiting kids
Run a summer or March break day camp mixing English lessons and activities for newcomer and international kids.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Evening cooking classes in a rented kitchen
Run ticketed group classes in a rented commercial or community kitchen on set evenings and weekends.
- C$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Online IT skills training school
Teach practical IT skills like networking or help desk support in live evening classes for career changers and staff.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Online
Public service exam prep classes
Run evening and weekend classes in a rented room that prepare candidates for public service hiring tests.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile first aid and CPR instructor
Teach first aid and CPR courses at workplaces, schools and community groups, bringing all the equipment to them.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Evening accounting and bookkeeping classroom courses
Run evening and weekend exam-prep classes in a rented room for local learners and employers.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Own premises
School-break day camp for kids
Run themed day camps during March break, summer and PA days for local children, using a rented hall or community space.
- C$2k-10k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Online real estate exam prep school
Help people studying for their provincial real estate licence pass with online lessons, practice exams and live Q&A.
- C$1.5k-7.5k
- Side hustle
- Online
About these ideas
Others are built around your professional skills, like an online real estate exam prep school or on-site job skills training for local employers. Before you commit, think about who your learners are and whether they will pay for what you offer. Check what licences, certifications, inspections or insurance your province or municipality may require, since child care and driving instruction are often regulated differently across Canada. Also work out what you can afford to spend on space, equipment, software and marketing within your budget.
More ideas
Questions
Do I need a licence or qualification to start an education business in Canada?
It depends on the type of business and your province or territory. Child care, driver training and career colleges are often regulated, while tutoring or workshops may not be. Check with your provincial ministry and local municipality before you start.
What costs should I plan for within a C$20,000 budget?
Common costs to check include course materials, software or a learning platform, insurance, rent or room hire, equipment, background checks and marketing. Child care or vehicle-based ideas may add inspections, safety gear or licensing fees. Build in a buffer for slow early months.
Should I teach online or in person?
Online teaching can lower rent and widen your audience, while in-person classes suit hands-on skills and local employers. Consider your subject, your learners' preferences and any rules on training providers. Starting small with one format lets you test demand before expanding.