Families
Children learn so much in their first five years. Quality licensed programs, for children 0-12, help children learn, grow, and develop. The foundation is set for children to be successful in school, work, and life when they have a safe place to learn, explore their world, and build relationships. Great Start to Quality is committed to helping Michigan families find child care that fits their budget and schedule.
Great Start to Quality is Michigan’s quality recognition and improvement system that evaluates the quality of licensed programs, for children 0-12. As a Michigan family, you can use Great Start to Quality as a tool to help you look up and compare early childhood programs to find the best care that meets your needs. Michigan child care, preschool, and afterschool programs are recognized for their quality improvement efforts and measured with nationally recognized tools across five levels of quality.
Quality Child Care and Preschool
It is important for you to understand the different types of care available for your child, and to know the criteria a program needs to meet to fit your needs. Great Start to Quality gives you information and resources needed to determine the best type of care for your child.
Extra Support for Families
Great Start to Quality Resource Centers across the state can assist in your search for quality licensed programs, for children 0-12, provide information about financial assistance, and offer a lending library of learning materials to use with your children.
Searching for Care?
Great Start to Quality allows you to search all quality licensed programs, for children 0-12, in Michigan to find the best care for your child and family.
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.
Michigan’s Free Preschool Programs
Get your child started on the road to success. Search for a quality free PreK by location, hours, availability, and more – all in one place. Most Michigan 4-year-olds qualify for free PreK!
Effective February 25, 2024, Michigan has removed the requirement to work with the Office of Child Support to receive help paying for child care. Check to see if you are now eligible!