Baby swim classes at a partner pool

Parents living in or near the venue, plus members or guests the venue wants to attract.

Parents pay per course. You either pay the venue a share of fees or a low hourly rate, which keeps costs lower than renting a full public pool.

• Gentle, confident teaching style
• Good communication with parents
• Comfortable approaching venues with a clear proposal

• Instructor, lifesaving and infant first aid certifications; check what the venue and your province expect
• Commercial general liability insurance; the venue may need to be named on it
• Private pools may have their own health and safety rules, so check who is responsible for water quality and supervision
• A venue can end the arrangement, so don't rely on a single partner
• Police record check including vulnerable sector screening may be requested

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $2,500, depending on your certifications, insurance and equipment. Using a venue's existing pool avoids the cost of renting pool time yourself, though you share income with the venue.

Check what the venue and your province expect for instructor, lifesaving and infant first aid certifications. Confirm whether the venue must be named on your liability insurance, who is responsible for water quality and supervision, and whether a police record check is requested.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many classes you run and your arrangement with the venue. Plan for about 4 hours a week at minimum, and avoid relying on a single partner.