Seeds
Every great childcare centre starts with a single question.
Can I actually do this?
The answer is yes. But the path from idea to open doors is real work. Sprout and Vine's Seeds program gives aspiring operators the tools, checklists, and guides to get there. Free. No credit card. No catches.
Two Paths
Which path is right for you?
Path One
Home Daycare
Licensed home child care in your own home
- Where
- Your own home
- Capacity (Ontario)
- Up to 6 children (under 13)
- Startup cost
- $2,000 to $5,000
- Time to open
- 3 to 6 months
- Who it suits
- Career changers, parents, ECEs wanting flexibility
- Qualification needed
- First Aid/CPR plus vulnerable sector check (ECE helps)
- CWELCC funding available
- Up to $7,200 in start-up grants
- First step
- Connect with a licensed home child care agency
Path Two
Childcare Centre
Licensed centre in a dedicated space
- Where
- Dedicated commercial or community space
- Capacity (Ontario)
- Determined by space and licence
- Startup cost
- $50,000 to $350,000+
- Time to open
- 6 to 18 months
- Who it suits
- Entrepreneurs, ECE professionals, organizations
- Qualification needed
- Qualified ECE supervisor required
- CWELCC funding available
- Up to $350,000 per 20 spaces
- First step
- Contact your local service system manager
More Resources
Everything you need to get started.
ECE Qualifications Guide
What qualifications you need to work in and operate Canadian childcare, by province.
Read the qualifications guide →Startup Funding Guide
Every grant, subsidy, and financing source available to new childcare operators in Canada.
Read the funding guide →CWELCC Readiness Checklist
Get CWELCC-ready before you open so you can access funding from day one.
View the checklist →Business Plan Builder
An interactive tool to build your childcare business plan step by step.
Build your business plan →Ready to take the first step?
Join operators across Canada who are using Sprout and Vine to plan, launch, and run their childcare programs.