Opening a child care center in Michigan is an incredible opportunity to serve your community and build a rewarding business. However, before you can welcome your first family, you must navigate the state's licensing process. This guide provides a comprehensive roadmap for getting a daycare license in Michigan, covering everything from initial requirements to final approval, all based on official state guidelines.
In the State of Michigan, it is illegal to provide child care services without being licensed by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) Child Care Licensing Division. This process ensures that every center provides a safe, healthy, and enriching environment for children. Let's break down the steps for obtaining a daycare license in Michigan.
Before you even begin your application, there are foundational steps you must take to prepare for the journey ahead. This initial phase is about understanding the legal landscape and ensuring your proposed business is viable.
Your first step is to thoroughly read and understand two key documents: the Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers and the Child Care Organizations Act (1973 PA 116). These documents outline the minimum standards and legal requirements for all child care providers in the state. Applicants must become familiar with these rules and procedures to successfully navigate the licensing process. Upon receipt of your application, the state will send you a rule book and a copy of the Act.
Applicants must contact their local zoning authorities to confirm that operating a child care center is permitted in the proposed location. It is recommended that you obtain zoning approval before signing a lease or contract. You must also make an appointment with your assigned licensing consultant to discuss the Act and the licensing rules. This consultation and other technical assistance from the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) department are provided without charge.
Navigating these initial legal and logistical hurdles can be complex, which is why business coaching can be invaluable. At Wonderschool, we provide business coaching and classes to help you understand and manage these early requirements for starting your daycare.
Once you have completed your initial research and consultations, you are ready to formally apply. The application must be for a specific person or organization at a specific location, as a child care center license is non-transferable.
To complete the online application, you will need to use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or FireFox. You must pay the non-refundable application fee online using a credit or debit card; Discover and American Express cards are not accepted. If you do not have a credit or debit card, an alternative payment method is available via a specific link on the application portal.
By signing the application, you agree to operate your center in full compliance with the Child Care Organizations Act and all licensing rules.
The original application fee is based on the licensed capacity of your child care center. The fees are as follows:
A major part of obtaining a daycare license in Michigan involves ensuring your facility is safe. This requires several inspections that you, the applicant, are responsible for arranging and completing.
You must arrange for a fire safety inspection by a qualified fire inspector. The completed inspection report must be forwarded to your licensing consultant. If your plans involve new construction or remodeling, a set of plans must also be submitted to the Bureau of Fire Services for review. The estimated cost for this inspection ranges from $200 to $1,000, with a potential re-inspection fee of $50-$200 if corrections are needed.
Applicants are responsible for arranging an environmental health inspection with the local health department. You must send the Environmental Health Inspection Request (BCAL-1787-CC) form, which is included in your application packet, to the appropriate department. A fee, estimated between $100 and $250, may be charged for this inspection. If you are planning new construction or modifications to kitchen or bathroom areas, you may need to submit plans to the health department for review.
If your building was constructed before 1978, you are responsible for obtaining a lead hazard risk assessment from a certified lead risk assessor. The Lead Hazard Risk Assessment Summary (BCAL-4344) form must be submitted with the assessment report. This assessment is estimated to cost between $350 and $600. It is highly recommended to complete this before signing a lease, as required repairs could affect the viability of the location.
It is your responsibility to ensure all playground equipment, use zones, and surfacing in the outdoor play area comply with licensing rule 400.8170(11). This is typically determined by having a playground inspection, which can cost between $200 and $900.
Depending on your facility's systems, other inspections are required:
Any work requested in these inspection reports must be completed before you can proceed. You must notify your licensing consultant once all corrections are made.
Before a final licensing decision is made, you must submit a comprehensive set of documents to your licensing consultant for review and approval. These materials demonstrate that you have a well-structured plan for every aspect of your center's operation.
You must submit documentation proving your Program Director meets the state's requirements. This includes official transcripts from an accredited college or university to verify education credits. Depending on the director's specific education, verification of hours of experience working with children may also be necessary. This information must be submitted with a cover letter identifying the name and address of your proposed facility.
Your staffing plan must be submitted on the Staffing Plan: Child Care Centers (BCAL-5001) form, which is part of the application packet. This plan must include:
The program plan outlines the daily experience for the children in your care. It must contain a statement of planned daily activities for each age group and a sample daily schedule. This schedule should describe activities designed to meet children's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs. If children will be present for five or more hours, a plan for rest and outdoor play is also required.
You must submit a detailed list of age-appropriate equipment you have on hand or have ordered for each age group. The list should be organized into sub-categories: large and small muscle groups; sensory exploration; social interaction and dramatic play; discovery and exploration; early math and science experiences; language and literacy experiences; and creative experiences through art, music, and literature.
If your center will have children in attendance for 2.5 hours or more, you must submit a copy of your written policy for the planned food service program.
A sketch of your facility on 8 1/2 x 11 paper is required. It does not need to be a scale drawing but should include measurements rounded to the nearest foot. The indoor sketch must show all child use areas with dimensions and label hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens. The outdoor sketch must show the play space's location relative to the building and surrounding streets or parks.
Applicants must submit written policies covering several key areas:
You must submit your center's months, days, and hours of operation. Additionally, you must provide written, detailed plans for handling each of the emergencies outlined in the licensing rules.
Creating and organizing all of these documents is a significant undertaking. Wonderschool helps providers streamline their business by offering tools and user-friendly toolkits, including ones for licensing and business plans, developed in partnership with MiLEAP.
Understanding the potential costs is crucial for financial planning when getting a daycare license in Michigan. While some expenses are fixed, many vary based on your specific location and circumstances. All fees are non-refundable.
Here is a breakdown of estimated direct costs associated with the licensing process:
The total estimated direct start-up costs range from $1,470 to $4,830. These are rough estimates, and actual costs may differ. It is wise to get good estimates for any required work or repairs before making a financial commitment to a property.
Beyond the direct licensing fees, you will have numerous other expenses. These include employment costs (wages, benefits), utilities, rent or mortgage, taxes, liability insurance, and equipment. These costs will vary greatly depending on the size of your center and the number of staff and children. To get a better sense of your potential income and expenses, you can use our New Providers Calculator.
After all your documents have been submitted and your required inspections are complete, the final phase of the licensing process begins.
A licensing consultant will schedule an on-site inspection at a mutually satisfactory time. During this visit, the consultant will verify that your center complies with all rules and may take pictures to document their findings.
A determination on your license will be made once all necessary materials and reports have been submitted and reviewed, any required corrections have been made, and the on-site inspection is complete. The entire process can be expected to take up to six months after you submit a complete application packet, though individual circumstances can affect this timeline.
If your application is approved, you will receive a notification letter from licensing that indicates when you may begin caring for children. You will initially be issued a provisional license, which is valid for six months. After that period, a renewal inspection will be conducted. If your center is in compliance, a regular license will be issued, which must be renewed every two years. If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision.
Navigating the path to getting a daycare license in Michigan can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. Wonderschool is dedicated to helping providers in Michigan launch, streamline, and grow their child care businesses without stress. We provide the tools and support to simplify the process from start to finish.
Through our Wonderschool Academy and partnership with MiLEAP, we offer four user-friendly toolkits to assist you, including a Licensing toolkit and a Business Plans toolkit. Our child care management software helps you track family leads, tours, enrollments, and parent communications all in one place. You can also manage billing and expenses, organize student information, and message families with our administration tools.
One of the biggest challenges for new providers is getting discovered by parents. We help you create a professional website for your program in minutes. This free site allows families to find your program, schedule a tour, and enroll, giving you a powerful tool to fill your center. We help you join a community of thousands of other program owners, so you can learn, share, and grow together.
Find a child care program that meets your needs from thousands of listings using our Child Care Finder. If you're a provider, create a listing to get discovered by families near you!