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Independent guide, not a government website. Verify licensing with the state: official search by state.

Licensed child care in Michigan

How child care licensing works in Michigan, where to verify a license and the cities we cover with the state's official data.

7,700programs in the data
4,549centers and programs
3,151family homes
2cities with pages

Who licenses child care

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Child Care Licensing Bureau.

The Michigan licensing layer does not include phone numbers. Use the state search to contact a provider.

LARA Child Care Licensing search

License types in the data

Type (as named by the state)Programs
Center4,549
Family Home (1-6)1,771
Group Home (7-12)1,380

Source: LARA child care licensing layer, State of Michigan GIS, data of November 6, 2026.

Michigan cities

Cities with the most programs in the state data: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Flint, Muskegon, Ann Arbor.

Help paying

Child Development and Care (CDC) program. See child care assistance by state and daycare costs.

Questions

Who licenses child care in Michigan?

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Child Care Licensing Bureau. Its official search is "LARA Child Care Licensing search".

How many licensed child care programs are in Michigan?

The state data we use (November 6, 2026) lists 4,549 centers and programs and 3,151 family child care homes with an active license.

Is there help paying for child care in Michigan?

Yes. The main program is Child Development and Care (CDC) program. Eligibility depends on income, family size and work or school hours.