I recently had an amazing conversation with a fellow childcare provider in our community that inspired this post. She shared how she’d been interested in learning how to create printables to sell and was seeking some guidance on how to get started. We talked about her ideas and how she could use her creative skills to generate additional income, and I thought, “This is something more providers need to hear.” With everything going on—dips in enrollment, rising costs—now is the perfect time to explore how we, as childcare providers, can create new income streams.
Let’s talk about how you can monetize your creative skills and turn them into a valuable side hustle.
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Why Childcare Businesses Are Vulnerable to Revenue Dips
Running a childcare business can sometimes feel like walking on a tightrope. If you’re not careful, a small shift in circumstances can throw everything off balance. To put it simply, our businesses are often what’s called a single-point sensitivity, a term coined by business expert James Schramko in Work Less, Make More. This means that if something goes wrong—like a sudden dip in enrollment or a health crisis—it directly impacts our income. We rely on one primary source of revenue: our enrolled families.
That’s risky.
If your enrollment drops for any reason, your income does too. And let’s face it, dips in enrollment happen. Sometimes it’s seasonal, sometimes it’s economic. And sometimes it’s because families move, kids grow older, or—let’s be real—another center opens nearby. We can’t always control these things, but we can control how we prepare for them. This is why having an additional income stream can give you that safety net you need to keep your business steady.
Create an Extra Income Stream
Childcare Providers Are Some of the Most Creative People on the Planet
I believe, without a doubt, that childcare providers are some of the most creative people out there. We have to be! Think about it—every day, we come up with activities to keep children engaged, we decorate our classrooms or play spaces, and we design learning materials from scratch. We’re constantly thinking on our feet, solving problems, and making the best of what we have.
But what if you could take that creativity you’re already using and turn it into a source of income?
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Let’s make your childcare program even more amazing together! CLICK HERE to see how Adrienne can help you tackle the toughest challenges in your childcare business, boost your growth, and set you on the path to success.
How to Easily Turn Your Creative Skills Into Cash
If you’re already running a childcare business, you likely have skills you can easily monetize. The trick is recognizing which ones can bring in some extra cash and how to package them in a way that works for you. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Create Printables
This is one of the easiest ways to get started if you enjoy making worksheets, planners, or activity guides for your daycare. You can create printables and sell them on platforms like Etsy, Teachers Pay Teachers or even directly on your own website. Parents, teachers, and other childcare providers are always looking for educational resources, and this is something you probably already do in your everyday work. With a little effort, you can turn your creations into products people are happy to pay for.
2. Create and Sell Branded Merchandise
If you’ve got an eye for design, why not create branded merchandise? This could be t-shirts, tote bags, or even mugs with fun childcare-related sayings or logos. You can use platforms like Printful, Printify, Redbubble or Teespring to upload your designs and have them print and ship the items for you. All you have to do is focus on the creative part! TIP: Think about creating a package (maybe a t-shirt, tote, & mug) to sell to newly enrolled parents.
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3. Retail Arbitrage
This might sound complicated, but it’s really just the practice of buying products at a discount and reselling them for a profit. You can shop at clearance sales, thrift stores, or even dollar stores and then resell the items online through platforms like eBay, Amazon, or Facebook Marketplace. It’s a great way to make extra income if you have a good eye for deals and are willing to invest some time in shopping. BTW this is one of my favorite things to do 😉.
4. Teach and Sell a Skill-Oriented Class
Have a skill you’re good at, like using a Cricut die-cutting machine or organizing spaces? You can teach others how to do it! You could offer a live class, create an online course, or even host small workshops. People love learning new skills, especially when they come from someone who knows what they’re talking about. It’s another way to leverage what you already know into extra cash.
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Introducing Our Masterclass on Creating and Selling Printables
If any of these ideas sound appealing, I’ve got something that might interest you. Based on that inspiring conversation I had with my fellow provider, I’m hosting a live masterclass on how to create and sell printables on Etsy. This class is perfect for those of you who want to tap into your creative side and create a new income stream just in time for the holiday season.
Here’s what you’ll learn in the masterclass:
- How to use Canva to design beautiful, professional-quality printables (don’t worry, Canva is super easy to learn).
- Seasonal design ideas to help you make the most of the holiday rush.
- How to set up your Etsy shop, create listings, and attract buyers.
- Tips on marketing your printables to boost sales.
The class will be taught live, and you’ll also get access to the replay in case you miss anything or want to review it later. This is a great opportunity to learn a new skill that could bring in some extra money, all while doing something creative and fun!
And here’s the best part: if you’re part of our TCC community, you can join the waitlist and get first dibs on spots when enrollment opens. This training will be available live only for a limited time, so don’t miss your chance!
How Creating an Additional Income Stream Can Benefit Your Business
By being proactive and learning how to create an additional income stream, you’re doing more than just protecting your business from enrollment dips—you’re giving yourself peace of mind. When you know you have another way to bring in revenue, you won’t feel as stressed during those times when enrollment might be slow. You’ll be in control.
Plus, it’s so rewarding to take something you enjoy and turn it into an income-generating project. Whether it’s making printables, teaching a class, or selling merchandise, there’s no limit to what you can achieve once you tap into your creativity.
You’ve Got This!
I want to encourage you to take that leap. Start small, test the waters, and see what works for you. Creating an additional income stream doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can actually be fun! You already have the skills and creativity, now it’s just about turning that into something that helps your business thrive. And remember, this is about building a future where your childcare business is resilient, adaptable, and profitable.
So, let’s get started—your next income stream is just waiting to be created.
