Start a Daycare or Preschool in Michigan

This page is INFORMATIONAL ONLY and we strongly recommend that you contact the Licensing Agency for Michigan directly. Please visit the Michigan Childcare Licensing Website today!

Type
Exempt
Small Registered Family Home Childcare
Large Registered Family Home Childcare
Center Based
Max Children
n/a(you must be registered)
up to 6
up to 12
Based on location
Providers Kids Included?
N/A
Yes, if under 7 yrs
Yes, if under 7 yrs
Yes

Where should you start?

The hardest part of starting a daycare is figuring out how to begin the process. Right?

Maybe you have searched around already and are puzzled by the state requirements. Don’t worry. We have been there and can simplify this process for you.

Below you will find 5 easy steps to get your South Carolina daycare (either YOUR home or another location) going.

Step 1: Contact the Child Care Resource and Referral Center for your county
Use the form provided in our “How to Start Your Daycare” program to get all the important questions answered

Step 2: Decide if you can start small and be an exempt provider
(See the details below for Exempt Family Child Care) You can always apply to be a licensed provider when you have enough students to necessitate it. Remember, the process for getting students won’t happen overnight. Why increase your costs right away?

Step 3: Begin the setup process for your daycare
See our setup suggestions in the How to Start and Run Your Daycare or Preschool WITH NO MONEY program”

Step 4: Open your small daycare
Everyday management is explained and outlined for you in our program – accounting suggestions and fully customizable forms, contracts, and templates are included with our program.

Step 5: When you are ready, move to the licensed status
Let us know that you want to get registered or licensed and we can help you to do it quickly and affordably.

MI Exempt Childcare

There is no Exempt Childcare in Michigan. If you are caring for any children that are not your own in your home, you must get registered or licensed.

MI Family Daycare (In Home)

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This level is our recommended path for Michigan since there is no option to stay exempt.
To review the Family and Group Childcare rules and reglations, visit the Michigan Website.

Ages: The exact number of children you can have is based on their ages. By default the number of allowed children will go down the younger the children in your group are.

General Requirements

Max # of Children: 6 children (this number includes any of your children that are under 7yrs old)
Background Check: Required on all people over 18 years old living in or regularly in the home but there is no fee for these background checks. They are not as indepth as the provider one listed below.

Training Required

Orientation Class: Yes (8 hours of free training)
Abuse and Neglect Class: No
Adult / Infant First Aid and CPR: Provider must have Infant / Child / Adult First Aid and CPR AND Blood-bourne Pathogen Training. Someone with this training must be at the location at all times, so it is best to have your subs trained as well.

Inspections Required

State Inspections: Every 3 Years (or sooner if a complaint is filed)
Sanitation Inspection Required for License: No.
If you are not on public sewer / water, your well might need to be inspected. You water heater might also need to be inspected by a service as well.

Costs

Application Fee: $50
Sanitation Inspection: N/A
Background & Fingerprinting: $50 – $80 (Live Scan Authorized Locations)

MI Group Daycare (In Home)

To review the Family and Group Childcare rules and reglations, visit the Michigan Website.
Ages: The exact number of children you can have is based on their ages. By default the number of allowed children will go down the younger the children in your group are.

General Requirements

Max # of Children: up to 12 children (this number includes any of your children that are under 7yrs old)
Background Check: Required on all people over 18 years old living in or regularly in the home but there is no fee for these background checks. They are not as indepth as the provider one listed below.

Training Required

Orientation Class: Yes (8 hours of free training)
Abuse and Neglect Class: No
Adult / Infant First Aid and CPR: Provider must have Infant / Child / Adult First Aid and CPR AND Blood-bourne Pathogen Training. Someone with this training must be at the location at all times, so it is best to have your subs trained as well.

Inspections Required

State Inspections: Every 2 Years (and yearly random inspections) Sooner if a complaint is filed
Sanitation Inspection Required for License: No.
If you are not on public sewer / water, your well might need to be inspected. You water heater might also need to be inspected by a service as well.

Costs

Application Fee: $100
Sanitation Inspection: N/A
Background & Fingerprinting: $50 – $80 (Live Scan Authorized Locations)

MI Center Based Childcare

To review the Chilcare Center rules and reglations, visit the Michigan Website.

Maximum number of children:
Depended on the facility size and student / teacher ratios.

Ages:
The exact number of children you can have is based on their ages. By default the number of allowed children will go down the younger the children in your group are.

Director Qualifications

General Requirements

Max # of Children: Variable
Background Check: Required on all staff and volunteers left alone with children.
Director Qualifications: Click here to see Michigan Director Qualifications
(If you aren’t qualified as a director, you can hire someone that is until you meet the requirements.)

Training Required

Orientation Class: Yes (8 hours of free training)
Abuse and Neglect Class: Yes
Adult / Infant First Aid and CPR: Yes
Blood-bourne Pathogen Class: Yes

Inspections Required

State Inspections: Every year (or sooner if a complaint is filed)
Sanitation Inspection Required for License: Yes, yearly (Health & Safety Inspection and a Fire Inspection)

Costs

Application Fee: Depends on the number of children you want to have
Sanitation Inspection: Varies county to county
Fire Inspection: Varies county to county (sometime no charge)