Small licensed preschool in a rented space

Parents of children aged about 2.5 to 5, often with provincial or federal childcare fee reductions or subsidies paid to licensed operators.

Monthly or per-session fees per child, which may be set or capped by provincial funding programmes. Income depends on licensed capacity and how full each session is. Rent and staff wages are the main costs.

• Early childhood education or childcare training
• Planning play-based activities
• Managing staff and budgets
• Clear communication with parents

• Licensing is required in every province and territory, and the process can take months, so check your regional rules
• Educator qualification and staff-to-child ratios vary by province; Quebec has its own system and French-language requirements
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Criminal record and vulnerable sector checks, first aid training and inspections for staff
• Fee caps or funding conditions may affect what you can charge, so check before signing a lease

Estimates for this idea are typically around $15,000 to $60,000 to start, depending on the rented space, equipment and set-up. Funding conditions or fee caps may affect what you can charge, so check them before signing a lease.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $6,000 to $25,000, depending on enrolment, programme hours and any provincial or federal fee reductions paid to licensed operators. That is revenue, not profit, before staff and rent.

Check licensing in your province or territory, as it can take months. Also check educator qualifications and staff-to-child ratios, Quebec's own system and French-language requirements, vulnerable sector checks, first aid training, inspections, insurance and WCB/WSIB.