Podcast
Early Childhood Business Made Easy
Hosted by Kelley Peake · EN
Early Childhood Business Made Easy: Preschool, Childcare & Play Cafe Success Strategies
Transform your preschool, childcare center, or play cafe from chaotic overwhelm into a profitable, time-freedom business. Host Kelley Peake, former KinderCare executive and owner of multiple seven-figure early childhood businesses, shares proven strategies for enrollment growth, team management, marketing that works, and operational systems that actually stick.
You'll Learn How To: ✨ Increase preschool enrollment and retention without expensive ads ✨ Hire and keep great teachers in a competitive market ✨ Grow play cafe traffic and party bookings consistently ✨ Structure your services for maximum profit (without raising tuition) ✨ Build systems that free up your time instead of stealing it ✨ Market to modern parents who value quality over price ✨ Scale your early childhood business without burning out
This Podcast Is For: → Preschool owners and directors drowning in daily chaos → Childcare operators struggling with staffing and slim margins → Play cafe and enrichment program owners wanting more bookings → Working moms building early childhood businesses while raising families → Anyone who started their EC business to make a difference—not to work 60-hour weeks
Kelley doesn't teach theory. She shares real strategies from 25+ years operating Peake Academy (boutique preschool), Play Boutique (indoor play cafe), and coaching hundreds of early childhood businesses through her Shine Membership and CEO Mentorship programs. Every episode delivers actionable systems you can implement this week.
Popular Topics: Early childhood business operations, preschool marketing strategies, childcare enrollment systems, play cafe revenue growth, hiring and retention for early childhood, parent communication frameworks, pricing strategies for preschools, operational efficiency, work-life balance for childcare owners.
Stop sacrificing your family to serve other families. Learn to rewrite the rules of business for early childhood at peakecreative.com.
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Episodes
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Episode #191: Price Your Fall Programs for Profit, Not Just to Compete
5d ago00:24:00Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThe average profit margin for early childhood businesses in the United States is 1-4 percent. The operators who know their true cost per child and price strategically are achieving 10-15 percent — with the same families, in the same markets, often with programs that are not the most expensive option available. The difference is not the program. It is the pricing approach. This episode gives you the complete framework for escaping the competitor pricing trap and building a financially sustainable early childhood business.Click HERE to see the Show Notes and Resource for this episode.RESOURCES Back 2 School Challenge - Free 6-Week CEO Profit Booster Challenge for preschool, childcare, play cafe, and enrichment business owners. A simple daily action plan to help you increase enrollment, control the chaos, and start operating like the CEO your business needs.Team Culture Blueprint – Go from constant turnover and team drama to a connected, committed team without adding more to your plate or your payroll — in just 30 days.Clarity Collective – Operating an early childhood business can often be chaotic and overwhelming. By following our Peake Creative, step-by-step simplified business strategies, you will gain more clarity, time freedom, and confidence to lead a profitable early childhood business.We help early childhood business owners ditch the chaos and lead with confidence. With actionable strategies and time-saving tools, you can grow your revenue, inspire your team, and create a thriving business—without sacrificing the life you love. Ready to make it happen? Visit kelleypeake.com and take the first step toward your dream business today!
Transcribe →#190: The 6-Week Back-to-School Operations Countdown
2w ago00:23:56Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailA chaotic first week of fall is not a September problem. It is a July problem. The operators who launch fall with confidence are not the ones who work hardest in August. They are the ones who started a systematic six-week preparation countdown in mid-July, spread the work across the right timeline, and arrived at the first day of school with almost everything already done. This episode gives you the week-by-week six-week countdown, starting today.Click HERE to see the Show Notes and PrintableRESOURCES Back 2 School Challenge - Free 6-Week CEO Profit Booster Challenge for preschool, childcare, play cafe, and enrichment business owners. A simple daily action plan to help you increase enrollment, control the chaos, and start operating like the CEO your business needs.Team Culture Blueprint – Go from constant turnover and team drama to a connected, committed team without adding more to your plate or your payroll — in just 30 days.Clarity Collective – Operating an early childhood business can often be chaotic and overwhelming. By following our Peake Creative, step-by-step simplified business strategies, you will gain more clarity, time freedom, and confidence to lead a profitable early childhood business.We help early childhood business owners ditch the chaos and lead with confidence. With actionable strategies and time-saving tools, you can grow your revenue, inspire your team, and create a thriving business—without sacrificing the life you love. Ready to make it happen? Visit kelleypeake.com and take the first step toward your dream business today!
Transcribe →189: Back-to-School Services That Boost Your Bottom Line
3w ago00:25:41Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailBack-to-school season is the biggest revenue opportunity of the early childhood business year, and most operators under-monetize it. Filling enrollment spots is just the floor. The operators who maximize this season design a fall service menu that meets families where they are and captures the value families are already ready to spend. This episode breaks down five specific back-to-school services and the process for making your existing programs more profitable before you launch anything new.Click HERE to see the Show Notes and PrintableRESOURCES Team Culture Blueprint – Go from constant turnover and team drama to a connected, committed team without adding more to your plate or your payroll — in just 30 days.Clarity Collective – Operating an early childhood business can often be chaotic and overwhelming. By following our Peake Creative, step-by-step simplified business strategies, you will gain more clarity, time freedom, and confidence to lead a profitable early childhood business.Back 2 School CEO Profit Booster Challenge - Free 6-week challenge, one Profit Booster a week, daily checklists, VIP bonuses, and a private Facebook community to keep you on track.We help early childhood business owners ditch the chaos and lead with confidence. With actionable strategies and time-saving tools, you can grow your revenue, inspire your team, and create a thriving business—without sacrificing the life you love. Ready to make it happen? Visit kelleypeake.com and take the first step toward your dream business today!
Transcribe →188: July Marketing Mission: Fill Those Fall Spots
4w ago00:21:09Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail🎙️ In this episode of Early Childhood Business Made Easy, we reveal why July—not August—is the key to filling your fall enrollment and how to market with confidence before the rush begins.📅 If you’ve been waiting until late summer to promote your fall programs, you’re already competing for families who may have made their decisions months ago. Successful enrollment isn’t built with last-minute marketing—it’s built with consistent, intentional planning.⚙️ Confident Early Childhood Operators don’t scramble when August arrives. They follow a strategic enrollment calendar that keeps their programs visible, nurtures family relationships, and fills classrooms long before the first day of fall.✨ When you implement a proactive July marketing plan, you stop chasing enrollment and start creating predictable growth. You’ll build momentum, attract aligned families, and head into the new season with confidence, clarity, and a full roster.Click HERE to see the Shownotes and Printable.Profit Pathfinder - In two short parts, you'll discover whether your biggest leverage right now is more time or more money and which of the six Profit Boosters in your CEO Leadership & Profit Engine needs your attention first.Team Culture Blueprint – Stop the turnover cycle and build a team that actually stays.Clarity Collective – Operating an early childhood business can often be chaotic and overwhelming. By following our Peake Creative, step-by-step simplified business strategies, you will gain more clarity, time freedom, and confidence to lead a profitable early childhood business.We help early childhood business owners ditch the chaos and lead with confidence. With actionable strategies and time-saving tools, you can grow your revenue, inspire your team, and create a thriving business—without sacrificing the life you love. Ready to make it happen? Visit kelleypeake.com and take the first step toward your dream business today!
Transcribe →187: Mid-Year Team Check-In: Keep Your Best People
Jun 2500:19:43Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail🎙️ In this episode of Early Childhood Business Made Easy, we discuss one of the most powerful ways to protect your team, your culture, and your business—before turnover happens.👥 If the thought of losing a key team member during your busiest season keeps you up at night, you’re not alone. Too often, leaders only discover what their staff truly need after a resignation letter is already on the table.⚙️ Confident Early Childhood Operators don’t wait for exit interviews to learn what’s working and what’s not. They use structured mid-year check-ins to uncover concerns, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful conversations that help their best people feel seen, supported, and valued.✨ When you proactively invest in retention instead of reacting to turnover, you build a stronger team culture, increase loyalty, and create an environment where great team members choose to stay and grow alongside your business.Click HERE to see the Shownotes and Printable.Team Culture Blueprint – Stop the turnover cycle and build a team that actually stays.ECB Operations Framework Flight Plan – You don’t have to feel alone. Instead, as your partner, we can give you more clarity with simplified solutions to grow your EC business. Clarity Collective – Operating an early childhood business can often be chaotic and overwhelming. By following our Peake Creative, step-by-step simplified business strategies, you will gain more clarity, time freedom, and confidence to lead a profitable early childhood business.We help early childhood business owners ditch the chaos and lead with confidence. With actionable strategies and time-saving tools, you can grow your revenue, inspire your team, and create a thriving business—without sacrificing the life you love. Ready to make it happen? Visit kelleypeake.com and take the first step toward your dream business today!
Transcribe →186: Why Your "Why" Matters More Than Ever in Summer
Jun 1800:20:05Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail🎙️ In this episode of Early Childhood Business Made Easy, we explore why reconnecting with your purpose may be the most important leadership strategy of the summer.💛 If summer has you questioning everything—covering call-outs, managing constant changes, and wondering whether all the hard work is worth it—you’re not alone. The busiest season of the year has a way of pulling you away from the vision that inspired you to start your business in the first place.⚙️ Confident Early Childhood Operators understand that burnout isn’t always a sign to quit. Often, it’s a sign to reconnect. When you revisit your personal, written Why, you gain clarity, perspective, and the motivation to lead through challenges with greater confidence.✨ Summer may not become easier overnight, but when your daily work is anchored to a deeper purpose, it becomes more meaningful. And that shift allows you to lead with resilience, inspire your team, and continue building a business that supports both your mission and your Time+Freedom™ lifestyle.Click HERE to see the Shownotes and Printable.Profit Planning Reset Bundle – Experience a Time+Freedom Lifestyle™ with more profit and happiness than you ever thought possible.ECB Operations Framework Flight Plan – You don’t have to feel alone. Instead, as your partner, we can give you more clarity with simplified solutions to grow your EC business. Clarity Collective – Operating an early childhood business can often be chaotic and overwhelming. By following our Peake Creative, step-by-step simplified business strategies, you will gain more clarity, time freedom, and confidence to lead a profitable early childhood business.We help early childhood business owners ditch the chaos and lead with confidence. With actionable strategies and time-saving tools, you can grow your revenue, inspire your team, and create a thriving business—without sacrificing the life you love. Ready to make it happen? Visit kelleypeake.com and take the first step toward your dream business today!
Transcribe →185: Mid-Year Money Moves: Summer Cash Flow Strategy
Jun 1100:23:07Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail🎙️ In this episode of Early Childhood Business Made Easy, we tackle one of the biggest financial stressors early childhood owners face—summer cash flow uncertainty.💰 If you’ve ever looked at your bank account during the summer months and wondered how a full, thriving business could suddenly feel so financially tight, you’re not alone. The challenge isn’t that your business is failing—it’s that you’re managing a seasonal reality with a year-round financial mindset.⚙️ Confident Early Childhood Operators don’t treat summer cash flow as a crisis. They understand the predictable patterns of their business, build financial buffers ahead of time, and create revenue strategies that smooth out seasonal fluctuations.✨ When you plan for summer instead of reacting to it, you replace financial panic with confidence. You gain the clarity to make smart decisions, protect your peace of mind, and lead your business through every season with greater stability and freedom.Click HERE to see the Shownotes and Printable.CEO Profit Spotlight Guide – The CEO Profit Spotlight is a 33-page revenue roadmap that helps Early Childhood business owners add $3K–$5K per month using the families and programs they already have.No tuition hikes. No new enrollments. No burnout.ECB Operations Framework Flight Plan – You don’t have to feel alone. Instead, as your partner, we can give you more clarity with simplified solutions to grow your EC business. Clarity Collective – Operating an early childhood business can often be chaotic and overwhelming. By following our Peake Creative, step-by-step simplified business strategies, you will gain more clarity, time freedom, and confidence to lead a profitable early childhood business.We help early childhood business owners ditch the chaos and lead with confidence. With actionable strategies and time-saving tools, you can grow your revenue, inspire your team, and create a thriving business—without sacrificing the life you love. Ready to make it happen? Visit kelleypeake.com and take the first step toward your dream business today!
Transcribe →184: Your Summer Operations Survival Guide
Jun 500:25:11Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail🎙️ In this episode of Early Childhood Business Made Easy, we break down how to navigate summer operations without the stress, confusion, and constant feeling of starting over.☀️ If every June feels like your carefully built routines suddenly stop working, you’re not alone. Summer brings new schedules, staffing challenges, and family expectations that can make even the most organized programs feel chaotic.⚙️ Confident Early Childhood Operators don’t rebuild their businesses every summer. They adapt their systems with intentional seasonal flexibility—creating operational rhythms that support both their team and the families they serve.✨ When you learn how to adjust your processes instead of reinventing them, summer becomes less about survival and more about sustainability. You gain the confidence to lead through your busiest season while protecting the systems, culture, and Time+Freedom™ lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to build.Click HERE to see the Shownotes and Printable.Clarity Collective – Operating an early childhood business can often be chaotic and overwhelming. By following our Peake Creative, step-by-step simplified business strategies, you will gain more clarity, time freedom, and confidence to lead a profitable early childhood business.ECB Operations Framework Flight Plan – You don’t have to feel alone. Instead, as your partner, we can give you more clarity with simplified solutions to grow your EC business. Profit Planning Bundle – The Profit Planning Reset gives Early Childhood business owners the tools, clarity, and confidence to build a business that finally supports your life. You’ll learn how to simplify your operations, design your Purposeful Profit Plan, and create predictable profit (without the burnout).We help early childhood business owners ditch the chaos and lead with confidence. With actionable strategies and time-saving tools, you can grow your revenue, inspire your team, and create a thriving business—without sacrificing the life you love. Ready to make it happen? Visit kelleypeake.com and take the first step toward your dream business today!
Transcribe →183: Create Magical Moments That Sell Themselves
Jun 400:27:17Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail🎙️ In this episode of Early Childhood Business Made Easy, we explore the hidden gap that keeps many incredible early childhood programs from earning the recognition, referrals, and loyalty they deserve.✨ If you’re delivering exceptional care, meaningful learning experiences, and genuine connection—but families still don’t seem to fully understand your value—you’re not alone. Parents see drop-off and pickup, but they often miss the countless moments happening in between.⚙️ Confident Early Childhood Operators don’t just provide amazing experiences—they make those experiences visible. Through intentional Magic Moments and memorable touchpoints, they help families feel, remember, and share the impact their programs create.💛 When you close the experience gap, you build stronger trust, deeper loyalty, and powerful word-of-mouth marketing that no advertising budget can match. The result is a business that grows naturally because families can’t stop talking about the difference you make.Click HERE to see the Shownotes and Printable.Clarity Collective – Operating an early childhood business can often be chaotic and overwhelming. By following our Peake Creative, step-by-step simplified business strategies, you will gain more clarity, time freedom, and confidence to lead a profitable early childhood business.ECB Operations Framework Flight Plan – You don’t have to feel alone. Instead, as your partner, we can give you more clarity with simplified solutions to grow your EC business. Profit Planning Bundle – The Profit Planning Reset gives Early Childhood business owners the tools, clarity, and confidence to build a business that finally supports your life. You’ll learn how to simplify your operations, design your Purposeful Profit Plan, and create predictable profit (without the burnout).We help early childhood business owners ditch the chaos and lead with confidence. With actionable strategies and time-saving tools, you can grow your revenue, inspire your team, and create a thriving business—without sacrificing the life you love. Ready to make it happen? Visit kelleypeake.com and take the first step toward your dream business today!
Transcribe →182: End of School Year Marketing: Capture Those Summer Families
May 2700:27:19Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail🎙️ In this episode of Early Childhood Business Made Easy, we reveal why so many summer families disappear in the fall—and how to turn seasonal visitors into long-term enrolled families.🌞 If families love your camps, play sessions, or enrichment programs but never return after summer ends, you’re not losing them because of your program. You’re losing them because there’s no intentional bridge guiding them from a summer experience into a long-term relationship with your business.⚙️ Confident Early Childhood Operators don’t treat summer families as one-time customers. They build strategic nurture systems, enrollment pathways, and follow-up sequences that turn warm leads into committed, year-round families.✨ When you implement a summer-to-fall conversion strategy, you stop starting from scratch every enrollment season and begin building predictable growth, stronger retention, and a business that fills with aligned families year after year.Click HERE to see the Shownotes and Printable.Clarity Collective – Operating an early childhood business can often be chaotic and overwhelming. By following our Peake Creative, step-by-step simplified business strategies, you will gain more clarity, time freedom, and confidence to lead a profitable early childhood business.ECB Operations Framework Flight Plan – You don’t have to feel alone. Instead, as your partner, we can give you more clarity with simplified solutions to grow your EC business. Profit Planning Bundle – The Profit Planning Reset gives Early Childhood business owners the tools, clarity, and confidence to build a business that finally supports your life. You’ll learn how to simplify your operations, design your Purposeful Profit Plan, and create predictable profit (without the burnout).We help early childhood business owners ditch the chaos and lead with confidence. With actionable strategies and time-saving tools, you can grow your revenue, inspire your team, and create a thriving business—without sacrificing the life you love. Ready to make it happen? Visit kelleypeake.com and take the first step toward your dream business today!
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