Many Canadian families with young children face limited access to traditional daycare, where spots can be scarce and waitlists long. That has opened the door for home-based daycare providers, who care for children in private residences, to play a growing role in meeting demand.

In Ontario, two providers say they’ve managed to keep their small businesses running for years by leaning on creativity, resourcefulness — and by sourcing affordable educational and play supplies from Temu, the e-commerce platform.

“I believe young children learn best through play, curiosity, and connection,” said Sonja Bilicic, a Kitchener-based Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) with more than 30 years of experience running her home daycare. “Constant redecorations and toy updates are important to keep the experience fresh, but the cost wouldn’t be as manageable without the affordable finds on Temu.”

Echoing that philosophy, Elissa Yeardsley, who opened her private home daycare in 2017, has built her own play-based learning curriculum. “I love to keep totes of different toys, craft supplies, and sensory bin kits separate and rotate through them every few weeks to keep it new and interesting for the kids,” she said.

Her daycare space is filled with Temu finds, from an outdoor splash pad to indoor décor like banners and magnetic walls. The children especially love the wooden play kitchen and seasonal sensory trays, which have even prompted parents to ask for product links when she shared photos online. 

Bilicic has also leaned on Temu to refresh her space, replacing older toys with wooden ones. “Wooden toys are more durable, safer, and more aesthetic,” she said.

While toys and supplies matter, both providers agree that food is by far their biggest expense. With Canadian grocery prices projected to rise another 3–5% in 2025, they are finding new ways to stretch their budgets without compromising on quality. 

“Healthy food for kids cannot be sacrificed, but having menus and being organized can definitely cut down on cost,” said Bilicic. 

Unlike Bilicic, who receives government funding as a licensed provider, Yeardsley pays for everything out of pocket. 

“Budgeting for daycare can be a challenge, but one tip is making sure that supplies are stocked—it keeps costs minimal over time instead of having to re-buy all at once when things run out,” she said. “Even my budget binder is from Temu, where I keep things in order and my finances organized.”

Despite coming from different professional backgrounds—Yeardsley studied business administration and worked as a nanny, while Bilicic trained in early childhood education—both women launched home daycares to stay home with their young children. 

What kept them going long after their kids had grown was a mix of passion for early education, the rewards of nurturing children, and the empowerment of being their own bosses. 

“Running the business solo can be overwhelming, but it also means more flexibility and self-supported income that makes me feel independent and strong,” said Yeardsley.

That independence has also allowed both women to branch out into successful side hustles. Yeardsley runs a party loot bag business that counts Justin Bieber’s family as a customer, while Bilicic has built a combined following of around 40,000 across platforms as a décor micro-influencer. 

Interestingly, both first discovered Temu as a source for their side hustles after the platform launched in Canada in 2023, later realizing how useful it was for their daycare businesses.

Since then, they’ve noticed the platform expand its variety and improve delivery times, thanks to the addition of local sellers. 

“Both home daycare and my loot bag side hustle require creativity, and I rely on Temu’s trendy and high-quality finds to help me turn my craziest ideas into reality,” Yeardsley said. “I pour my heart into both businesses because it’s rewarding to serve my community in one way or another.”

Published by HOLR Magazine.