Michigan Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Michigan (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Michigan means applying to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems, clearing fingerprint-based background checks, meeting facility and staff-to-child ratio rules, and passing a licensing inspection. This guide walks the process end to end, grounded in Michigan's licensing statutes.

Michigan Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The statute-cited figures that shape your Michigan launch budget and timeline.

Application fee
Original license application fees are $50.00 for a family child care home and $100.00 for a group child care home; child care center original license fees are $150.00 (capacity 1-20), $200.00 (21-50), $250.00 (51-100), and $300.00 (over 100) (MCL 722.115m).
Annual renewal fee
License renewal fees are half the original amounts: $25.00 family child care home, $50.00 group child care home, and $75.00/$100.00/$125.00/$150.00 for child care centers by capacity tier (1-20/21-50/51-100/over-100); a regular Michigan child care license is effective for 2 years and must be renewed biennially (renewal fees per MCL 722.115m; 2-year/biennial term per MCL 722.118).
Pre-service training
Michigan sets no fixed pre-service clock-hour total for child care center staff; instead, within 30 calendar days after being present at the center and before caring for children unsupervised, program staff must complete training on required safety topics (e.g., discipline policy, emergency procedures, health policies, infection control), with additional topics (medication administration, allergy response, building safety, child development, pediatric first aid/CPR) required within 90 days, and staff must be supervised until orientation is complete (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.8216).
Annual training
Child care center program staff (other than substitute teachers and unsupervised volunteers) must complete 16 clock hours of professional development per calendar year, reduced to 10 clock hours at small capacity centers (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.8216a); for family and group child care homes the licensee must complete not less than 10 clock hours and other personnel not less than 5 clock hours of professional development each calendar year (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.1924).
License-exempt threshold
In Michigan a license is required to operate a family child care home, defined as a private home in which 1 but fewer than 7 minor children (excluding children related to an adult household member) are received for care and supervision for compensation for periods of less than 24 hours a day; an individual providing babysitting services is excluded (license-exempt) only if annual compensation for those services is less than $600.00 (the amount that would obligate the parent/guardian to provide a Form 1099), and care given to an unrelated minor for more than 4 weeks in a calendar year is covered (MCL 722.111 definitions of 'family child care home' and the babysitting exclusion).
Family child care capacity
A family child care home may care for up to 6 children and a group child care home up to 12 children (a licensee may request a capacity increase to 7 or 14 respectively after holding a license for at least 29 consecutive months), at a minimum ratio of not less than 1 member of personnel to 6 children present in the home at any one time, so a second caregiver is required once more than 6 children are present; for each member of personnel, not more than 4 children may be under the age of 30 months, with not more than 2 of those 4 under the age of 18 months (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.1910 ratio; R 400.1925 capacity).
Indoor square footage
Child care centers must provide at least 42 square feet of usable indoor activity space per child for infants and toddlers and 35 square feet per child for preschoolers and school-aged children (35 square feet regardless of age at small capacity centers), excluding hallways, bathrooms, reception/office areas, kitchens, and storage areas/closets (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.8121); the outdoor play area for a center operating 3 or more continuous hours a day must be not less than 1,200 square feet total (not less than 600 square feet for small capacity centers) rather than a per-child figure (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.8125).
Inspection schedule
Annual; complaint investigations; random unannounced visits

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Michigan

Follow these in order. Each step is grounded in Michigan's childcare licensing rules.

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in Michigan. In Michigan a license is required to operate a family child care home, defined as a private home in which 1 but fewer than 7 minor children (excluding children related to an adult household member) are received for care and supervision for compensation for periods of less than 24 hours a day; an individual providing babysitting services is excluded (license-exempt) only if annual compensation for those services is less than $600.00 (the amount that would obligate the parent/guardian to provide a Form 1099), and care given to an unrelated minor for more than 4 weeks in a calendar year is covered (MCL 722.111 definitions of 'family child care home' and the babysitting exclusion).

    Read the rule that defines license-exempt care before you do anything else — it determines whether you operate as a family child care home, a center, or an exempt arrangement.

  2. Complete pre-service training & CPR

    Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. Michigan sets no fixed pre-service clock-hour total for child care center staff; instead, within 30 calendar days after being present at the center and before caring for children unsupervised, program staff must complete training on required safety topics (e.g., discipline policy, emergency procedures, health policies, infection control), with additional topics (medication administration, allergy response, building safety, child development, pediatric first aid/CPR) required within 90 days, and staff must be supervised until orientation is complete (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.8216).

    Plan for ongoing training too: Child care center program staff (other than substitute teachers and unsupervised volunteers) must complete 16 clock hours of professional development per calendar year, reduced to 10 clock hours at small capacity centers (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.8216a); for family and group child care homes the licensee must complete not less than 10 clock hours and other personnel not less than 5 clock hours of professional development each calendar year (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.1924).

  3. Pass background checks

    Submit fingerprint-based background checks for yourself and every staff member, volunteer, and (where applicable) household member before anyone has unsupervised access to children.

    Background-check clearance often takes the longest of any single step — start it early so it doesn't gate your opening date.

  4. Prepare your facility

    Set up a space that meets Michigan's facility standards. Child care centers must provide at least 42 square feet of usable indoor activity space per child for infants and toddlers and 35 square feet per child for preschoolers and school-aged children (35 square feet regardless of age at small capacity centers), excluding hallways, bathrooms, reception/office areas, kitchens, and storage areas/closets (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.8121); the outdoor play area for a center operating 3 or more continuous hours a day must be not less than 1,200 square feet total (not less than 600 square feet for small capacity centers) rather than a per-child figure (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.8125).

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A family child care home may care for up to 6 children and a group child care home up to 12 children (a licensee may request a capacity increase to 7 or 14 respectively after holding a license for at least 29 consecutive months), at a minimum ratio of not less than 1 member of personnel to 6 children present in the home at any one time, so a second caregiver is required once more than 6 children are present; for each member of personnel, not more than 4 children may be under the age of 30 months, with not more than 2 of those 4 under the age of 18 months (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.1910 ratio; R 400.1925 capacity).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems and pay the licensing fee. Original license application fees are $50.00 for a family child care home and $100.00 for a group child care home; child care center original license fees are $150.00 (capacity 1-20), $200.00 (21-50), $250.00 (51-100), and $300.00 (over 100) (MCL 722.115m).

    Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.

  6. Pass the licensing inspection

    Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. Annual; complaint investigations; random unannounced visits

    The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.

  7. Open your doors

    Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under Michigan rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Infant (0-12 months) 1:4, Toddler (12-30 months) 1:4, Preschool (2.5-3 years) 1:8, Preschool (3-4 years) 1:10, Preschool (4-5 years) 1:12, School Age (5+ years) 1:17

    Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.

  8. Enroll families

    Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, Michigan-specific parent handbook signals professionalism and keeps you inspection-ready from day one.

    Required enrollment and admission forms must be signed before a child's first day — have them ready before you advertise open spots.

What You Need to Apply in Michigan

Michigan licensing requires these documents and forms at the initial application and inspection.

  • Child Enrollment Record
  • Emergency Medical Authorization
  • Health Assessment
  • Immunization Record
  • Medication Authorization
  • Parent Handbook Acknowledgment

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Michigan requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems: Infant (0-12 months) 1:4, Toddler (12-30 months) 1:4, Preschool (2.5-3 years) 1:8, Preschool (3-4 years) 1:10, Preschool (4-5 years) 1:12, School Age (5+ years) 1:17.

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your Michigan licensing kit

The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all Michigan-specific. The TotReady Startup Bundle gives you every document you need to apply, ready to customize in about 30 minutes.

See the Startup Bundle →

One-time purchase · Michigan-specific documents

Starting a Daycare in Michigan: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Michigan?
In Michigan a license is required to operate a family child care home, defined as a private home in which 1 but fewer than 7 minor children (excluding children related to an adult household member) are received for care and supervision for compensation for periods of less than 24 hours a day; an individual providing babysitting services is excluded (license-exempt) only if annual compensation for those services is less than $600.00 (the amount that would obligate the parent/guardian to provide a Form 1099), and care given to an unrelated minor for more than 4 weeks in a calendar year is covered (MCL 722.111 definitions of 'family child care home' and the babysitting exclusion).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Michigan?
Original license application fees are $50.00 for a family child care home and $100.00 for a group child care home; child care center original license fees are $150.00 (capacity 1-20), $200.00 (21-50), $250.00 (51-100), and $300.00 (over 100) (MCL 722.115m). Renewal: License renewal fees are half the original amounts: $25.00 family child care home, $50.00 group child care home, and $75.00/$100.00/$125.00/$150.00 for child care centers by capacity tier (1-20/21-50/51-100/over-100); a regular Michigan child care license is effective for 2 years and must be renewed biennially (renewal fees per MCL 722.115m; 2-year/biennial term per MCL 722.118).
Who issues daycare licenses in Michigan?
Childcare licensing in Michigan is handled by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems. You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.
What training do I need before opening a daycare in Michigan?
Michigan sets no fixed pre-service clock-hour total for child care center staff; instead, within 30 calendar days after being present at the center and before caring for children unsupervised, program staff must complete training on required safety topics (e.g., discipline policy, emergency procedures, health policies, infection control), with additional topics (medication administration, allergy response, building safety, child development, pediatric first aid/CPR) required within 90 days, and staff must be supervised until orientation is complete (Mich. Admin. Code R 400.8216).

Keep researching Michigan

Michigan Licensing Requirements

Full handbook sections, ratios, immunization rules, and penalties for Michigan.

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How to Start a Daycare: Complete Guide

The cross-state playbook, from choosing a program type to opening day.

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License-Exemption Thresholds by State

Compare when a license is required across all 50 states.

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Licensing Fees by State

Application and renewal fee data for every state we track.

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Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from Michigan statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.