School-break day camp for kids

Working parents and guardians who need safe, engaging care and activities while school is out.

Weekly or daily fees per child, with extras like early drop-off, late pick-up or lunch. Revenue depends on how many children you enrol and your staff-to-child ratio.

• Working well with children
• Planning and organizing activities
• Managing and supervising staff
• Clear communication with parents

• Child care and day camp rules differ by province and municipality, so check whether your camp needs a licence or falls under an exemption
• Police record checks including vulnerable sector checks for everyone working with children
• Commercial general liability insurance, often including abuse and molestation coverage, plus any cover the venue demands
• Staff-to-child ratios, first aid certification, allergy and medication policies, and safe pick-up procedures
• Income is concentrated in school breaks, and a low enrolment week can leave you covering fixed costs

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the space you rent, the programme you run, and the equipment and insurance you need. These are estimates, so get quotes for your venue and cover before setting prices.

Rules differ by province and municipality, so check whether your camp needs a licence or falls under an exemption. Also check police record checks including vulnerable sector checks, liability insurance, staff-to-child ratios, first aid certification and allergy policies.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on enrolment and how many weeks you run. Income is concentrated in school breaks, so a low enrolment week can leave you covering fixed costs.