Parent-and-Toddler playgroup sessions

Parents, grandparents and nannies who want social time and structured play for little ones, often paying per session or for a term.

Drop-in fee per child or family, or a prepaid block of weekly sessions. Extra income can come from seasonal events and birthday-style themed sessions.

• Comfortable leading groups of small children and adults
• Planning age-appropriate activities
• Friendly, organized and good at promoting local events

• General liability insurance, and check whether the venue requires proof of coverage
• Rules on child care licensing in your state usually depend on whether parents stay and how often you meet, so check with your state child care licensing agency before launching
• Safety basics such as CPR and first aid training, clean toys and safe equipment
• Attendance can be seasonal and weather-dependent, so start with a small, flexible room rental

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $2,500, depending on your room rental, toys, equipment, insurance and training. Treat this as an estimate and start with a small, flexible room booking.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on session price, attendance and how many sessions you run. The estimate assumes at least about 6 hours a week.

Check with your state child care licensing agency before launching, since rules usually depend on whether parents stay and how often you meet. Also check general liability insurance, venue requirements, and CPR and first aid training.