Start a montessori preschool in rented premises

Parents of children aged about 2.5 to 6 looking for a Montessori program, often in half-day or full-day places.

Monthly tuition per child across morning, afternoon or full-day programs, sometimes with registration fees and before and after care.

• Montessori or early childhood education qualifications
• Managing and hiring staff
• Budgeting and enrolment planning
• Building trust with parents

• Licensing, staffing ratios, educator qualifications and building and fire inspections are set by each province or territory, so check the exact requirements early
• Quebec has its own system and French-language requirements, so check locally
• Licensing can take months, and you will pay rent before any income
• Commercial general liability insurance, and WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Check whether provincial fee-reduction or funding programs apply to for-profit centres and how they limit your fees
• Staff shortages and turnover in early childhood education can affect your ability to fill places

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on your premises, equipment and staffing. Licensing can take months and you will pay rent before any income arrives, so plan for that gap.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $10,000 to $40,000, depending on how many places you fill and whether you offer half-day or full-day programs. Staff shortages and turnover can affect your ability to fill places.

Check licensing, staffing ratios, educator qualifications and building and fire inspections early, as each province or territory sets them. Quebec has its own system and French-language requirements. Also check commercial general liability insurance and WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire.