How to start a home daycare in Michigan.

Michigan Department of Lifelong Education oversees home daycares in Michigan. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.

Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.

The kinds of home daycare Michigan allows

Starting a home daycare in Michigan, step by step

  1. Apply in CCHIRP

    Submit your application and other papers in the Child Care Hub Information Records Portal, called CCHIRP.

    Source: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan

  2. Group homes: get zoning approval

    Only a group child care home needs the Zoning Approval form, CCL-3748.

    Source: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan

  3. Get a medical clearance

    You and your doctor complete a Medical Clearance Request, form CCL-3704, about your health.

    Source: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan

  4. Take health and safety training

    Complete the health and safety trainings. The state suggests taking them through MiRegistry.

    Source: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan

  5. Take safe sleep training

    Complete Safe Sleep Practices training before your license is issued.

    Source: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan

  6. Get CPR and first aid certified

    Get valid CPR and first aid certification for infants, children and adults.

    Source: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan

  7. Complete the licensing orientation

    Once your papers are approved, you get a link to a self-paced licensing orientation.

    Source: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan

  8. Pass the on-site inspection

    Your licensing consultant schedules an on-site inspection of your home.

    Source: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan

At a glance

Who oversees home daycares
Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), Child Care Licensing Bureau. Issues state child care licenses, inspects licensed homes and looks into complaints.Source: Child Care Licensing
Background checks
Also needed for adults who live in your homeSource: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan
Radon
No more than 4 picocuries per liter in the lowest level of your homeSource: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan
First license
A 6-month original licenseSource: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan
After the original license
A regular license, valid for 2 yearsSource: Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan

Good to know

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Questions, answered

How do I start a home daycare in Michigan?

The first step: Apply in CCHIRP. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.

Who oversees home daycares in Michigan?

Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), Child Care Licensing Bureau. Issues state child care licenses, inspects licensed homes and looks into complaints.

How many children can a home daycare in Michigan care for?

Family child care home: 1 to 6 unrelated children. Group child care home: 7 to 12 unrelated children.

About this page

Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.

This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.

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