Child Care Licensing

Child care licensing requirements are important to ensure children and youth in all out-of-school time (OST) settings remain safe and are able to participate in enriching and developmentally appropriate activities that meet their educational, social, and physical needs.

It is illegal in the State of Michigan to provide child care services without being licensed by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, (LARA) Child Care Licensing Division.

Michigan law requires afterschool child care programs for children up to and through age 12 to be licensed. The purpose of licensing is to ensure that basic health and safety issues are addressed. 

The Child Care Licensing Bureau, a part of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, conducts onsite inspections to determine compliance with state law and licensing rules, provides technical assistance and consultation to improve the quality of service and investigates complaints alleging violations of licensing rules or law. The Child Care Licensing Bureau regulates family child care homes (1 to 6 children), group child care homes (7 to 12 children) and child care centers. Call CCLB at 1-866-685-0006 to get more information on becoming licensed or visit www.michigan.gov/michildcare for more information about licensed child care.

Special COVID Provisions

During the 2020-2021 school year, the state of Michigan is offering the flexibility to help quality providers respond to child care needs during the COVID 19 Pandemic. 

This document summarizes when a site needs to be licensed and whether a site is eligible to receive the child care subsidy.  For full guidance, please see:

• School Age FAQ, from LARA Child Care Licensing   

• Temporary Waiver of Administrative Rule 400.11101(1) from LARA Camp Licensing  

• Child care subsidy guidance from MDE