Finding Child Care

Finding and choosing the licensed child care, preschool or schoolage setting that is right for your child and family can be challenging. Great Start to Quality makes your search for licensed child care, preschool and schoolage only programs easier, gives you tips to make an informed decision and the confidence of knowing you chose the care in your area that best suits your family’s needs.  

You have different options for child care, preschool and schoolage only programs.

Help Paying for Care

All families want high-quality care for their children and child care is expensive. Learn if you are eligible to receive support with paying for your child’s care.

Start Your Search

Great Start to Quality allows you to search all licensed programs in Michigan. You can search in the ways that are most important to you, whether it is by area, cost, or specific needs.

When searching, you may want to consider:

• The type of child care, preschool or schoolage only program that will best fit the needs of your child and family
• The times and days you will need child care, preschool or schoolage only program
• Your family’s budget for child care, preschool or schoolage only program
• If you receive child care payments from the state, whether the program or provider will accept them
• Whether you need transportation to and from child care, preschool or schoolage only programs
• The location of the program or provider

While looking for the best licensed child care, preschool or schoolage only programs for your child and your family, it is recommended that you visit more than one program with your child, if possible. Great Start to Quality is committed to helping Michigan families find child care, preschool and schoolage only programs that are safe and educational.

Before you start your search, we encourage you to use the checklists from Child Care Aware® of America. They provide information on what to look for when searching for child care, preschool and schoolage only programs to support your child’s growth and development. These checklist will be helpful when visiting programs and providers.