Child Care Licensing and Regulations in Michigan - post

If you are considering operating a child care program in Michigan — whether a small in- #home- #daycare, a group home, or a full child care center — it’s important to understand the licensing requirements and regulations. These rules help ensure the safety, #health, and well-being of children in care. This article explains how licensing works in Michigan, what is required of providers, and what you should know if you want to open or manage a child care program.

Who Regulates Child Care in Michigan

• The state agency responsible for child care licensing in Michigan is the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), through its Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB). 
• Licensing rules are based on state law: the Child Care Organizations Act (1973 PA 116) provides the legal authority for licensing. 
• Whether you are running care in a private home or a separate center, you must be licensed — it is illegal in Michigan to provide child care services without a proper license. 

Types of Licensed Child Care Settings

Michigan recognizes different kinds of child care settings, each requiring appropriate licensing and compliance:

• Family Child Care Home / Group Child Care Home: Care provided in a private home by an individual residing at that home. 
• Child Care Center: A facility (not a private home) where one or more children are cared for, typically outside of a residential setting. 

Which license you apply for depends on the setting and how many children you plan to care for, as well as whether care is provided in a home or a separate building. 

Requirements to Become a Licensed Provider

Here are some of the main requirements for someone applying to operate a child care home or center in Michigan.

For Family / Group Child Care Homes (in-home care)

According to the administrative rules for home-based care: 

• The applicant must be at least #18 years old. 
• The applicant must have a high school diploma (or GED), or have completed an approved training track through MiRegistry for child care home providers. 
• The applicant must live permanently in the home as a member of the household. 
• Must have valid certification in CPR (infant, child, adult) and First Aid. 
• Must complete training in recognition/reporting of child #abuse and #neglect, and in prevention and control of infectious disease (including immunizations). 
• Must attend an orientation provided by the Department. 
• Must be of “good moral character,” and be suitable to meet children’s needs. Anyone living in the home, including minors, must also meet suitability criteria. 

Additionally, once licensed, the provider (licensee) must be present in the home and provide direct care and supervision for the majority of the time children are in care. Short absences are allowed under limited circumstances (e.g., vacation up to 20 days per year, medical leave), but not for other employment during operating hours.

For Child Care Centers (non-home facilities)

If you are applying to open a center, different (and often stricter) standards apply. Some of these include: 

• Applicants (or licensee designees) must submit an official application form and pay a non-refundable licensing fee. The fee varies depending on the capacity of the center (number of children). 
• The application must include a #staffing plan that details how many children will be cared for, ages, room assignments, number of staff or volunteers at different times (morning, naptime, lunch, afternoons, etc.). 
• Applicants and designees must meet standards of suitability, ability to care for children, and compliance with relevant laws (good moral character, etc.). 
• Before unsupervised contact with children, all staff must receive orientation on center policies and the licensing rules. 
• Staff must receive training covering safety issues like safe #sleep practices, prevention of shaken baby syndrome / abusive head trauma / child maltreatment, and recognition/reporting of abuse or neglect.

Ongoing Compliance: Safety, Inspections, Record-keeping, and Standards

Becoming licensed is just the first step. Maintaining compliance is equally important. Here’s what ongoing regulation typically involves in Michigan:

• Licensed facilities and #homes must adhere to #health-and-safety standards — clean environments, hazard- #free spaces, proper indoor and #outdoor facilities, safe equipment and #play-areas, and compliance with building, fire, and zoning codes. 
• Regular inspections: After initial licensing (and also at license renewal), the licensing agency will conduct inspections. For centers, this includes fire safety and environmental health inspections before final approval. 
• Background checks: All individuals with unsupervised access to children must undergo comprehensive #background-checks, including criminal history and child-abuse/neglect records. 
• Reporting requirements: Facilities must maintain records: #attendance, health logs, incident reports, and licensing records. Many record-keeping obligations, including a “licensing notebook,” must be kept on premises or be electronically accessible for review by #parents or guardians. 
• Ongoing staff training: Staff must complete regular training on safety, child #development, health, #emergency-preparedness, and other relevant topics. For centers, this includes training on #safe-sleep, child abuse prevention and reporting, and other child-welfare topics before working with children. 

Failing to follow these rules — for example, being out of ratio, neglecting background checks, or not maintaining safety standards — can result in penalties, license revocation, or closure. 

Licensing Process: How to Get Started

If you want to become a licensed childcare provider or open a child care center in Michigan, here’s a general outline of the process:

1. Decide on the type of care — Will you operate a family/group child care home (in a residence) or a child care center (non-residential)?
2. Complete required education/training — For home-based providers: high school diploma or GED, plus required trainings (CPR, First Aid, disease prevention, abuse reporting, orientation). 
3. Submit application to MiLEAP / Child Care Licensing Bureau — Use the official application form for your chosen type, along with any required fee (non-refundable) for centers.
4. Create required documentation and plans — For centers: staffing plan, room layout, program description, staffing ratios. For home-based providers: confirm residency, suitability of household, proof of needed certifications, etc. 
5. Pass inspections and background checks — For centers: fire safety inspection, environmental health inspection, possible #lead / water / safety compliance depending on building and local codes. 
6. Receive provisional license, then complete follow-up inspection — When first approved, many centers get a provisional license valid for six months. After that time, and if in compliance, a regular license is issued. Licenses must be renewed periodically (for centers, often every two years).
7. Maintain compliance and records, and meet ongoing requirements — Including staff training, safety standards, record-keeping, and inspections.

Because licensing is non-transferable and based on a specific location, if a provider wants to open a new site they must apply separately for that site. 

Why These Regulations Matter

• Safety and welfare of children: Licensing rules ensure that child care providers are trained in CPR, first aid, disease prevention, safe sleep practices, supervision, and have undergone background checks. This helps protect children from harm or neglect.
• Consistent quality standards: Whether a child attends a home-based daycare or a larger center, regulations help ensure a baseline of professional standards: from #staff-qualifications to #safe-environments, and from appropriate staff-to-child ratios to proper record-keeping.
• Accountability and oversight: Through licensing, inspections, background checks, and reporting requirements, the state can monitor child care providers and act if standards are not met.
• Transparency for families: Parents and guardians can request and review licensing records, #health-and safety reports, staffing information, and compliance history before choosing a provider. 

What Child Care Providers Should Keep in Mind

If you operate (or plan to operate) a child care program in Michigan:

• Stay up-to-date with training: Parents and regulators expect providers to maintain current CPR, first aid, and safety training.
• Keep thorough records: daily attendance, staff records, incident reports, health logs, emergency drills, etc. These may be reviewed in regular or surprise inspections.
• Plan for #safe-environments: Make sure indoor spaces meet minimum space requirements, play areas are safe, equipment is appropriate, and the facility meets local fire, health, and zoning codes.
• Understand that licensing is tied to a location: If you relocate or start a second site, you must apply separately.
• Be prepared for inspections, audits, and compliance checks — maintain readiness at all times.

Where to Learn More & Get Help

If you’re an #educator, provider, or prospective operator looking for support, training, or resources related to child care licensing in Michigan or more generally — useful professional development and materials are available at ChildCareEd:

• Training offered at ChildCareEd.com: Safe Supervision in Child Care: Birth to School Age
• Resources offered at ChildCareEd.com: Regulated Child Care Guide
• Example article on ChildCareEd.com: Navigating Lead Caregiver Education and Training Requirements in Michigan

Also, you can check our social media presence to stay informed or connect with the childcare community — on Instagram