Navigating the requirements for opening and operating a child care business in Michigan means working closely with the state of michigan daycare licensing bureau. Understanding its structure, processes, and rules is the first step toward a successful launch. This guide provides a comprehensive look at the Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB), the licensing process, and how to maintain compliance.
The Child Care Licensing Bureau, or CCLB, is the entity responsible for performing state licensing regulatory duties as required by state laws and federal requirements. It operates under the new Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). The bureau sets the minimum standards that all regulated providers must meet to ensure a safe environment for children.
As part of its duties, the michigan license bureua daycare periodically updates its rules. The newest child care licensing rules were officially adopted on May 7, 2025. Providers have at least 90 days from that date to meet the new requirements, and during this transition period, the CCLB will offer training, updated technical assistance, and new rule books to support providers with the changes.
To streamline the licensing process, the bureau has launched the new MiLEAP Child Care Hub Information Records Portal (CCHIRP) system. For questions regarding this new system, the main office of the Child Care Licensing Bureau can be contacted by calling 517-284-9730 or via email at MiLEAP-CCLB-Help@michigan.gov. The bureau also oversees the Child Care Background Check Program for licensed providers and has partnered with the Bureau of Fire Services to offer a pre-recorded webinar on plan reviews.
Michigan’s child care licensing rules are established under the authority of the Child Care Organizations Act (1973 PA 116). These rules provide the minimum standards for regulated child care providers in both centers and homes. The CCLB makes these rule sets available to the public for review.
Current and future rule sets include:
To ensure accessibility, the rules for Family and Group Child Care Homes are also available in Spanish (NORMAS DE CONCESIÓN DE LICENCIAS PARA HOGARES DE CUIDADO INFANTIL FAMILIARES Y GRUPALES - BCAL-PUB-714-SP), Arabic, and Chinese. A Rule Violation Review Process also exists for providers.
The licensing rules reference several other key state statutes, including:
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 Child Care Licensing Division. The process is detailed and requires careful planning and execution. Understanding these steps from the beginning is a core part of learning how to start your childcare business.
Before submitting an application, applicants must read the Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers and the Child Care Organizations Act (1973 PA 116). Upon receipt of an application, a rule book and the Act will be sent to the applicant. The online application must be completed using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or FireFox, and requires a credit or debit card for the non-refundable fee; Discover and American Express are not accepted.
The original application fee is based on the capacity of the proposed center:
A license is issued to a specific person or organization at a specific location, is non-transferable, and remains the property of LARA. The application must be for a specific location. The Child Care Licensing division can be reached at Landmark Building, 105 W. Allegan St. - 2nd Floor, PO Box 30837, Lansing, MI 48909.
Prior to submitting an application, prospective providers must contact their local zoning authorities to confirm a child care center is permitted in the proposed area. It is highly recommended that applicants make an appointment with their licensing consultant to discuss the Act and the Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers. By signing the application, an applicant agrees to operate in full compliance.
A licensing consultant may provide professional advice if an applicant is considering several sites. This consultation and technical assistance from LARA are provided without charge. Successfully navigating these early bureaucratic steps is a crucial part of how to operate a daycare efficiently.
Applicants are responsible for arranging and completing several required inspections. The completed reports must be forwarded to the licensing consultant.
A consultant from LARA will conduct an on-site inspection of the child care facility to assess compliance with Michigan’s child care laws. The consultant may take pictures to document their findings. This inspection will be scheduled at a mutually satisfactory time. For a group child care home or child care center license, this inspection may be scheduled during the licensing process.
Once all required inspection reports are received, the licensing consultant will notify the applicant of any preliminary findings. All work requested in the reports must be completed before the process can move forward.
Prior to a final licensing determination, a number of documents, plans, and policies must be submitted to the licensing consultant for review and approval. Compiling this portfolio of documents is a significant undertaking, and getting support through business coaching can ensure everything is correct and complete.
The center must demonstrate it has qualified leadership and a comprehensive staffing plan. This includes submitting Program Director Qualifications with transcripts to verify credits from an accredited college or university. Depending on education, verification of hours of experience working with children may also be needed, as detailed in Licensing Rule 400.8113.
A detailed Staffing Plan must be submitted using the Staffing Plan: Child Care Centers (BCAL-5001) form. This plan must contain:
Applicants must submit several documents that outline the center's daily program and physical space. A Program Plan must detail planned daily activities for each age group, including a sample schedule. An Equipment List must be submitted, detailing age-appropriate equipment for various developmental categories like large and small muscle groups, sensory exploration, and literacy experiences.
If children will be in care for 2.5 hours or more, a written policy for the food service program is required. Applicants must also submit a Child Use Space sketch on 8 1/2 x 11 paper. This includes a drawing of the indoor activity space with all dimensions and labeled areas, as well as a drawing of the outdoor activity space showing its location relative to the indoor space.
Copies of all specified center policies must be submitted for review. These include:
Finally, a Schedule of Operations (months, days, hours) and written detailed Emergency and Evacuation Plans must be provided.
A determination on licensure will be made once all necessary materials have been submitted, reviewed, corrected, and an on-site inspection has been conducted. The entire licensing process can be expected to take up to six months after a complete application packet is submitted, though individual circumstances can affect this timeline.
If the decision is to issue a license, the applicant will receive a notification letter indicating when the center may begin caring for children. The original provisional license is valid for six months. After this period, a renewal inspection will be conducted, and if the center is in compliance, a regular license will be issued. This regular license must be renewed every two years.
If an application is denied, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision. While a center is licensed, a licensing consultant will conduct inspections annually and also in response to any complaints received.
Opening a center involves significant start-up costs. The following are very rough estimates, and actual costs will vary greatly depending on the size of the center, repairs needed, and other factors. It is recommended that applicants obtain zoning approval and key inspections before signing a lease or contract.
The total estimated start-up costs for these required items range from $1,470 to $4,830. Additional expenses will include employment costs, utilities, equipment, rent/mortgage, taxes, and insurance. Understanding your potential income is critical, and you can use our child care provider calculator to find out how much you can make.
A consultant from LARA will conduct an on-site inspection to assess compliance with Michigan’s child care laws. If an applicant has applied for a family child care home (FCCH) license, this inspection typically occurs within 90 days of receiving the certificate of registration. For a group child care home or child care center license, the inspection may be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time during the licensing process.
Building a positive relationship with your licensing consultant is key. For license renewal, a LARA consultant will inspect again to verify the center's ongoing compliance status.
The licensing process is complex, but you don't have to do it alone. At Wonderschool, we help providers in Michigan launch, streamline, modernize, and grow their child care business. We provide the tools and support to help you run your business without stress.
For those just starting, our Wonderschool Academy and Child Care Toolkits can help you learn the basics. In partnership with MiLEAP, we offer four user-friendly toolkits to assist you in starting your program in Michigan, including the Caring for Mi Future toolkit, Childcare toolkit, Business Plans toolkit, and Licensing toolkit.
We empower you to create a free, professional website in minutes, helping you get discovered by parents looking for care. You can use this site to let families find your program, tour it, and enroll. Our administration tools help you manage everything in one place: family leads, tours, enrollments, waitlists, parent communications, expenses, and billing. We are here to help you not only start your program but also grow your childcare business into a thriving community asset.
Becoming a licensed child care provider in Michigan is a detailed process that requires careful attention to the rules and procedures set forth by the state of michigan daycare licensing bureau. From the initial application and inspections to submitting comprehensive plans and policies, each step is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of children. By understanding the requirements of the michigan license bureua daycare and utilizing available resources, you can successfully navigate the path to opening and operating a quality child care program.
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