Navigating the landscape of Michigan child daycare licensing can feel complex, but understanding the specifics is crucial for any provider looking to start, operate, or grow a successful program. The state sets forth minimum standards to ensure the safety and well-being of children, with rules established by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. This guide provides a comprehensive look at these requirements, from legal authority and developmental programming to the wealth of resources available to support you.
The foundation of child care regulation in Michigan is the Child Care Organizations Act (1973 PA 116), which grants the authority to establish the state's licensing rules. These rules provide the minimum standards for all regulated child care providers. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is responsible for writing these important regulations.
Michigan provides distinct rule sets for different types of care settings. This includes the Licensing Rules for Family and Group Child Care Homes as well as the Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers. Recognizing the diverse population of providers, the state also offers the rules for Family and Group Child Care Homes in Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese.
The state actively reviews and updates these regulations. The Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers were last amended on February 22, 2022, and a FINAL 2025 Child Care Center Licensing Rule Set is available, along with an explanation of the revisions. Similarly, DRAFT 2024 Child Care Home Licensing Rule Revisions and an accompanying explanation document are also available for providers.
The newest Michigan child care licensing rules were officially adopted on May 7, 2025. Following this date, providers have a transition period of at least 90 days to meet the new requirements. To facilitate this change, the Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB) offers extensive support.
During the 90-day transition, the CCLB provides training, updated technical assistance, and new rule books. Providers can get a "First Look - Child Care Center Rules" and view or download training slides to prepare. Staying informed is simple by signing up for the CCLB listserv for both Centers and Homes, which provides updates on trainings and resources. Managing regulatory changes is a key part of running a daycare, which is why at Wonderschool, we help providers streamline their business operations so they can focus on adapting to new standards.
Michigan places a strong emphasis on high-quality, developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children from birth to age five. The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) invites early childhood curriculum developers to submit their programs for a review process. This process ensures that curricula align with Michigan’s Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Birth to Kindergarten.
Curricula submitted for review should follow research-based best practices, with separate standards for programs designed for infants and toddlers (0-3) and those for preschool-aged children (3-5). To guide this process, MiLEAP provides a PreK Curriculum Review Rubric and a Birth to Three Review Rubric for developers and providers.
Michigan offers a vast array of resources to help child care providers understand licensing, manage their operations, and provide excellent care. These resources cover everything from administrative tools to professional development and health and safety guidance.
To simplify administrative tasks, the new Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) launched the Child Care Hub Information Records Portal (CCHIRP) system. CCHIRP provides an enhanced experience for providers to manage their licenses and simplifies communication with MiLEAP and the state. Providers are encouraged to read the FAQs about CCHIRP and can contact their consultant or the main office for support.
For facility planning, Child Care Licensing has partnered with the Bureau of Fire Services to offer a pre-recorded webinar on plan reviews. This resource provides insight into when plan reviews are required and guides providers through the submission process. Additional fire safety resources, including plan review documents and FAQs, are also available.
For aspiring childcare entrepreneurs, Our Strong Start has a team of trained Navigators ready to help individuals understand and navigate the state licensing process. These Navigators answer questions and provide information about resources and training. This mirrors our mission at Wonderschool, where we provide business coaching and classes to help you start and run your program successfully.
For existing providers, the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (Michigan AEYC) offers programs to support directors and staff. The Director Network invites directors to join a peer network for group and individual coaching, while the Early Foundations Program assists with staffing challenges and provides onboarding support. New staff can gain immediate skills through this program even before achieving a CDA or degree. For information on eligibility, providers can contact Michigan AEYC directly.
Recent changes to PA 116 allow Michigan family and group child care homes to request an increase in their capacity. To do so, the licensee must meet certain conditions. The Child Care Licensing Bureau has developed a specific form for licensees to request both a capacity increase and a variance for a ratio increase.
Michigan's child care licensing rules reference several key state laws. Understanding these statutes provides a deeper context for the regulations providers must follow. Key referenced statutes include:
The state maintains a comprehensive list of resources for Michigan childcare providers, covering nearly every aspect of running a program. These resources are designed to help providers maintain compliance, enhance program quality, and ensure child safety.
Starting and running a child care program involves much more than caring for children; it requires navigating licensing, managing finances, and marketing your business. At Wonderschool, we help providers in Michigan launch, streamline, and grow their child care businesses without stress. We provide the tools and support to help you succeed, allowing you to focus on what you do best: providing exceptional care.
We have partnered directly with MiLEAP to bring Michigan providers four user-friendly toolkits to assist in starting a program: the Caring for Mi Future toolkit, the Childcare toolkit, the Business Plans toolkit, and the Licensing toolkit. These resources, along with our Wonderschool Academy business training program, can help you learn the basics and get your program off the ground. Find out how much you can make as a provider in your area.
We make it easy to modernize your program with a free, professional website you can build in minutes. This website helps you get discovered by parents looking for care, allowing families to find, tour, and enroll in your program online. Our all-in-one platform helps you track family leads, site tours, enrollments, waitlists, and parent communications in one central place. The administration tools also help you manage billing, expenses, and student organization, simplifying the day-to-day tasks of running your business.
By joining the Wonderschool community, you connect with thousands of other program owners. We are here to help you start your child care program, operate it efficiently, and ultimately grow your business, giving you the foundation for a successful and rewarding career in early childhood education.
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