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Yes! This is a must! To provide childcare services in Michigan, you must obtain a license from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Child Care Licensing Division (LARA). LARA oversees the licensing process for three distinct types of childcare establishments: childcare centers, group childcare centers, and family childcare homes. The type of license you obtain largely hinges on whether you intend to start a childcare program within a residence or in a non-residential building. Here are the legal definitions for each childcare organization, as outlined by Michigan law: A Child Care Center (CCC) is a facility, excluding private residences, that caters to one or more children under 13 years old for less than 24 hours per day. Additionally, facilities providing care for more than two consecutive weeks, regardless of daily care hours, are classified as childcare centers and necessitate a childcare center license. You can register your child care center for free at https://www.Daycare.com/signup A Family Child Care Home (FCCH) is a private residence serving between one and six children for less than 24 hours per day, excluding children related to household members. Instead, an FCCH is where care is extended to an unrelated child for more than four weeks during a calendar year. You can register your family child care home for free at https://www.Daycare.com/signup A Group Child Care Home (GCCH) is a private residence serving between seven and 12 unrelated children for less than 24 hours per day for more than four weeks. This capacity limit excludes children related to an adult household member. To get more parents for your services, please visit https://www.Daycare.com/signup For comprehensive definitions of these license types and associated regulations, consult the LARA Child Care Licensing Rules and Statutes site. Once you comprehend these distinctions and make a decision, you can proceed to draft a business plan for your childcare program.
Michigan, like most states, has a lot of laws and requirements for childcare and daycare businesses. The subsequent phase in establishing a childcare enterprise is verifying your eligibility for licensure. Specific qualifications are necessary to acquire a license and manage various types of childcare programs in Michigan. Nonetheless, there are also broad requirements that pertain to all individuals seeking childcare licensure, which encompass: Being capable of meeting children’s needs adequately Ensuring that services and facilities provided promote the well-being of children Conducting oneself in a manner that prioritizes the welfare of children Exhibiting a readiness and capacity to adhere to state-established acts and regulations
Besides the provider prerequisites, there are also guidelines regarding staff-to-child ratios, which are contingent upon the age of the children and include a maximum group size.
In family and group childcare homes, the ratio standard mandates one childcare provider for every six children (1:6). Additionally, for each staff member, a maximum of four children may be under 30 months old, with no more than two of those four being under 18 months old. This ratio must encompass all children not related to the provider. Furthermore, any children under 6 years old who are the provider’s own children, children of a staff member or assistant, or children related to any household member by blood, marriage, or adoption must also be factored into the ratio.
The procedure for applying for a childcare license varies depending on the type of program you intend to initiate. LARA offers a detailed Resource Guide to Child Care Licensure in Michigan, providing step-by-step instructions for the application process. Below is an outline summarizing the steps for establishing a childcare center.
The procedures for obtaining a family or group childcare home license follow a similar framework to that of a childcare center. However, due to their home-based nature, the building requirements are less stringent. Here is an overview of the steps involved in obtaining a family or group childcare license. Step 1: Application Submission and Fee Payment Before submitting your application, review the Licensing Rules for Family and Group Child Care Homes and the Child Care Organizations Act. Complete and submit your application online, along with all necessary documents. The online application requires a non-refundable fee of $50 for family homes and $100 for group homes. Step 2: Medical Clearance Request Submission You and your physician must complete a medical clearance request, available on the LARA Child Care Licensing Forms page. This form verifies your mental and physical health status. Step 3: Completion of Required Training and Certifications Several courses are mandatory for licensure, accessible on MiRegistry. Create an account and locate the “Health and Safety Training for Licensed Child Care Providers” course. Additionally, complete the “Safe Sleep Practices” course. Obtain infant, child, and adult CPR and first aid certifications from an approved training organization. Step 4: Fingerprinting and Background Checks All applicants/licensees, childcare staff members and assistants, unsupervised volunteers, and adult household members must undergo fingerprinting and comprehensive background checks. Step 5: Orientation Session Attendance Upon submission of all required documentation, you will be invited to attend a six-hour licensing orientation. Step 6: Onsite Inspection Passage A licensing consultant will schedule an onsite inspection of your home. To prepare, utilize the Family and Group Child Care Home Compliance Record checklist to ensure compliance with the rules. Step 7: Original License Receipt If your license is approved, you will receive a six-month original license. Before its expiration, you will receive a renewal application packet. Upon submission of the completed packet and a renewal fee, another onsite inspection will be conducted. If approved, you will receive a regular license valid for two years.
