Parent-and-Child playgroup sessions

Parents, grandparents and caregivers of babies, toddlers and preschoolers, including new parents looking for company and routine.

Fee per family per session, or a prepaid block of sessions. Some playgroups add a small seasonal themed event or birthday-style add-on sessions.

• Warm and confident with young children and parents
• Planning simple age-appropriate activities
• Organising bookings and payments

• Whether your province or municipality treats parent-present sessions as exempt from childcare licensing, check with your provincial childcare regulator
• Commercial general liability insurance, and whether the venue requires its own cover
• First aid and CPR training, allergy and safety policies for toys and snacks
• Winter drops in attendance because of illness and bad weather, so plan for quieter months
• A vulnerable sector check may be asked for by venues or parents, check what applies where you live

Startup costs are typically estimated around $500 to $3,000, depending on the toys and craft supplies you buy, venue deposits, insurance and training. Renting a community space by the session keeps costs manageable.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $700 to $3,500, depending on session numbers, attendance and your pricing. Attendance can drop in winter because of illness and bad weather, so plan for quieter months.

Check with your provincial childcare regulator whether parent-present sessions are exempt from childcare licensing. Also check liability insurance and any venue requirements, first aid and CPR training, allergy and safety policies, and whether a vulnerable sector check is asked for.