Small licensed preschool or child care centre

Parents, plus provincial or territorial funding or fee-reduction programs where your centre is eligible and joins them.

Monthly fees per child, with some income possibly coming through funded-space programs. Profit depends on licensed capacity, rent, wages and how full your spaces are.

• Early childhood education knowledge
• Leading and managing staff
• Budgeting and fee collection
• Working with parents and regulators

• Licensing is usually required and can take months, so check timelines before committing to rent
• Director and staff qualifications, child-to-staff ratios and space rules vary by province
• Building, fire, health and playground inspections can mean costly renovations
• Commercial general liability insurance and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire, with rules varying by province
• Quebec has its own system and French-language requirements, so check them if you plan to operate there
• Funded programs may limit fees or set conditions, so read the terms before joining
• Staffing shortages and thin margins if spaces are not full

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on the premises, renovations needed to pass inspections, equipment and how many children you plan to care for. Always get quotes before signing a lease.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on how full your spaces are, your fees and any funding programs you join. Staffing costs and thin margins mean revenue is not the same as profit.

Licensing is usually required and can take months, so check timelines before committing to rent. Also check director and staff qualifications, child-to-staff ratios, space rules and inspections, which vary by province. Quebec has its own system.