LARA Child Care Center Licensing Rules (R 400.8101-8193) Compliant

Michigan ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with Michigan LARA Child Care Center Licensing Rules (R 400.8101-8193) regulations. Bloomily helps Michigan childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Michigan licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
Infants birth to 12 months
1:48 children
Young Toddlers (12-24 months)
Young toddlers 12-18 months
1:48 children
toddler
Older toddlers 18-30 months
1:612 children
twos
2.5-year-olds
1:816 children
threes
3-year-olds
1:1020 children
fours
4-year-olds
1:1224 children
School Age (5+ years)
5-year-olds and school-age
1:1836 children

Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.

Required Certifications

Certifications required for Michigan childcare staff

Annual Training (16 hours)

Michigan required 16 clock hours annual training per R 400.8125

Renew annuallyDocument required

Background Check (Michigan)

Michigan comprehensive background check including ICHAT, FBI fingerprinting per R 400.8122

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Blood-Borne Pathogens Training (Michigan)

Training on blood-borne pathogen safety required

Renew annuallyDocument required

Central Registry Clearance (Michigan)

Michigan DHHS Central Registry clearance for child abuse/neglect

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Director Qualification (Michigan)

Child Development Associate (CDA) or equivalent per R 400.8124

Document required

First Aid (Michigan)

First aid certification required for all caregivers

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Orientation Training (Michigan)

Michigan orientation training within first week of employment

Document required

Pediatric CPR (Michigan)

Infant and child CPR certification required per R 400.8125

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Staff Health Appraisal (Michigan)

Health appraisal including TB assessment required

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.

Emergency Drill Requirements

Required safety drills for Michigan childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

Monthly fire drills required during operating hours, documented

Ref: R 400.8175

Lockdown/Security

Twice per year

Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice per year

Ref: R 400.8175

Evacuation

Annually

Full evacuation to alternate location annually

Ref: R 400.8175

Severe Weather

Quarterly

Tornado drills required quarterly during tornado season (March-November)

Ref: R 400.8175

Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on Michigan LARA Child Care Center Licensing Rules (R 400.8101-8193) requirements

Licensing(5)Physical Environment(10)Health Practices(7)Safety Practices(10)Staff Requirements(10)Child Records(6)Supervision(2)

License displayed in prominent location

Ref: R 400.8115

Licensing

Capacity not exceeded

Ref: R 400.8115

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: R 400.8115

Licensing

Written operational policies available

Ref: R 400.8115

Licensing

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: R 400.8115

Licensing

Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)

Ref: R 400.8140

Physical Environment

Outdoor play area adequate (60 sq ft per child)

Ref: R 400.8140

Physical Environment

Temperature maintained (65-82°F)

Ref: R 400.8140

Physical Environment

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: R 400.8140

Physical Environment

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: R 400.8140

Physical Environment

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: R 400.8140

Physical Environment

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: R 400.8140

Physical Environment

Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate

Ref: R 400.8140

Physical Environment

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: R 400.8145

Physical Environment

Fall zones with resilient surfacing

Ref: R 400.8145

Physical Environment

Daily health observation performed

Ref: R 400.8155

Health Practices

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: R 400.8155

Health Practices

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: R 400.8155

Health Practices

Medications stored locked and inaccessible

Ref: R 400.8155

Health Practices

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: R 400.8155

Health Practices

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: R 400.8155

Health Practices

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: R 400.8155

Health Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

Ref: R 400.8175

Safety Practices

Smoke detectors working

Ref: R 400.8175

Safety Practices

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: R 400.8175

Safety Practices

Fire drills conducted monthly

Ref: R 400.8175

Safety Practices

Tornado drills quarterly (March-November)

Ref: R 400.8175

Safety Practices

Lockdown drills semi-annually

Ref: R 400.8175

Safety Practices

Evacuation drill annually

Ref: R 400.8175

Safety Practices

Drill records documented properly

Ref: R 400.8175

Safety Practices

Emergency plan posted

Ref: R 400.8175

Safety Practices

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: R 400.8140

Safety Practices

ICHAT/FBI background check current for all staff

Ref: R 400.8122

Staff Requirements

Central Registry clearance completed

Ref: R 400.8122

Staff Requirements

Director meets qualification requirements (CDA)

Ref: R 400.8124

Staff Requirements

CPR certification current

Ref: R 400.8125

Staff Requirements

First Aid certification current

Ref: R 400.8125

Staff Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: R 400.8161

Staff Requirements

Annual training completed (16 hours)

Ref: R 400.8125

Staff Requirements

Orientation within first week of employment

Ref: R 400.8125

Staff Requirements

Health appraisal on file

Ref: R 400.8122

Staff Requirements

Blood-borne pathogens training current

Ref: R 400.8125

Staff Requirements

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: R 400.8155

Child Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: R 400.8155

Child Records

Immunization records on file (MCIR)

Ref: MCL 333.9215

Child Records

Health appraisal within 30 days of enrollment

Ref: R 400.8155

Child Records

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: R 400.8155

Child Records

Allergy/special needs documented

Ref: R 400.8155

Child Records

Children supervised at all times

Ref: R 400.8161

Supervision

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: R 400.8155

Supervision

Track your Michigan compliance digitally

Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.

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Nearby State Requirements

IndianaOhioWisconsin

Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.

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Real-time staff-to-child ratio monitoring
Automated certification expiration alerts
Pre-inspection checklist management
Emergency drill scheduling and tracking
Digital parent communication
Mobile check-in/check-out kiosks
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