Small group tutoring centre

Families in your neighbourhood who want regular after-school help or exam preparation for their children.

Monthly fees per student for weekly group classes, plus extra for one-to-one sessions or exam prep blocks.

• Teaching and classroom management
• Organizing timetables and parents
• Basic marketing and bookkeeping

• Lease commitments are a real risk, so start with short or shared rentals if you can
• Upfront costs for a commercial unit (deposit, first month's rent, fit-out, furniture and insurance) can add up quickly, so budget at the higher end if you are not using a shared or hall space
• Check municipal zoning, business licence and fire safety rules for premises used by children
• Police record checks for you and any tutors you hire are widely expected, so check how to get them in your province
• Commercial general liability insurance is worth checking, and WCB/WSIB rules apply once you hire in most provinces
• Quebec has its own rules and French-language requirements for signage and materials

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on the space, deposit, fit-out, furniture and insurance. Budget at the higher end if you are not using a shared or hall space. Monthly revenue is estimated at about $1,500 to $7,500.

Check municipal zoning, business licence and fire safety rules for premises used by children. Also check how to get police record checks for you and any tutors in your province, and note that Quebec has its own French-language rules for signage and materials.

Lease commitments are a real risk, so start with short or shared rentals if you can. Check commercial general liability insurance, and WCB/WSIB rules once you hire in most provinces. Estimates suggest at least about 15 hours a week.