Neighbourhood summer day camp

Parents and guardians who need reliable summer supervision and activities while they work, usually paying per week or per session.

Weekly registration fees per child, with extras like early drop-off, late pick-up, lunch or a camp T-shirt. Sibling discounts and early-bird pricing can help fill spots.

• Working with children
• Organizing schedules and staff
• Clear communication with parents
• Staying calm and solving problems

• Child care or day camp licensing rules, which differ by province and sometimes by camp length or children's ages; check with your provincial regulator
• Commercial general liability insurance, and ask whether abuse and molestation coverage is included
• Police record checks (including vulnerable sector checks), first aid and CPR training, and staff-to-child ratios for every counsellor
• Allergy, medication, injury and emergency plans, plus signed waivers and parent consent forms
• Income is concentrated in July and August, and a low-enrolment week can lose money, so keep a minimum enrolment number in mind
• Check whether GST/HST applies to your fees and when to register for a Business Number

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on venue rental, insurance, supplies and staffing. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many children enrol and how many weeks you run.

Check child care or day camp licensing rules with your provincial regulator, as they differ by province, camp length and children's ages. Also check police record checks (including vulnerable sector), first aid and CPR training, staff-to-child ratios, and insurance including abuse and molestation coverage.

Income is concentrated in July and August, and a low-enrolment week can lose money, so keep a minimum enrolment number in mind. Based on the estimates, plan on at least 25 hours a week while the camp runs.