Home-Based after-school group
Look after a small group of school-age children at your home after school, with snacks, homework time and play.
- C$500-3k
- Part-time
- From home
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small, homely after-school group run from your own home. Children arrive from a nearby school, have a snack, do homework or play, and are picked up by parents later in the afternoon.
Your first three steps
- Check your province's child care rules for home-based care, including limits on how many children you can look after without a licence or agency
- Ask your municipality about home-based business rules, and your home insurer and landlord (if renting) whether they allow it
- Get first aid and CPR certification, a police record check with vulnerable sector screening, and talk to parents at a nearby school about demand
Who pays
Working parents of school-age children who need care between the end of the school day and when they finish work.
How it makes money
Weekly or monthly fees per child, often with a lower rate for fewer days. Some families may qualify for provincial child care subsidies if your setup is eligible.
Skills that help
- Patient and calm with children
- Organised routines and good communication with parents
- Basic first aid and child safety awareness
Watch out for
- Child care licensing rules differ by province and territory; Quebec has its own system. Check your provincial regulator before taking any children
- Commercial general liability insurance and whether your home insurance covers a child care business
- Municipal zoning or a home-based business licence
- Safe pick-up and drop-off from school, authorised pick-up lists and allergy plans
- Winter weather and school closures, which affect your hours and income
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: home-based after-school group
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a home-based after-school group in Canada?
Startup costs are estimates, typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your insurance, snacks, games and homework supplies, and any safety equipment. Costs vary by province and by how many children you plan to look after.
How much can a home after-school group earn?
Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your fees, how many children attend and how many days you run. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours a week.
What rules should I check before running an after-school group at home?
Child care licensing rules differ by province and territory, and Quebec has its own system, so check your provincial regulator before taking any children. Also check liability insurance, whether home insurance covers it, municipal zoning, and safe school pick-up and allergy plans.
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