1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Creche, day mother or aftercare centre: your step-by-step start

Care for young children or after-school learners at a safe, registered place, with meals, play and homework time.

  • 19 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 1 hour
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Caring, organised people with childcare training, suitable premises and the patience to complete registration.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 90 days.
  • You cannot put about R3 000 into getting started.
  • You cannot free up about 30 hours a week.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 90 days.
  • Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
  • The main risk to plan for: child safety and injury: follow the norms and standards and keep an emergency plan.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How creche, day mother or aftercare centre worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Check your premises against the safety list3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Write a simple business plan: hours, fees, daily plan, staff3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Apply for child-protection clearance certificates3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Start registration and the municipal health certificate3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Sign up your first families3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Pass the assessment visit3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Add aftercare or a holiday programme3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R3 000 to R30 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Registration forms (Form 11, Form 16)
  • Emergency plan
  • Parent agreements
  • Daily routine

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.