Schoolcraft County
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Childcare Resources and Programs
Childcare Resources for Employers & Entrepreneurs
Childcare isn't just a family issue — it's an economic development issue. A report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Chamber and Michigan Chamber of Commerce, found that childcare challenges cost Michigan's economy an estimated $2.88 billion annually through employer losses from turnover and absenteeism and lost state tax revenue. Closer to home, a 2024 regional assessment by the Early Childhood Education Task Force of the Upper Peninsula found that in much of the U.P., there are three or more children competing for every licensed childcare spot — and in some areas, no licensed spots at all. Over half of U.P. families surveyed were spending more than double the federally defined threshold for "affordable" childcare, and employers reported that childcare challenges were driving absenteeism, turnover, and lost recruitment. Addressing childcare supply is essential to attracting and retaining the workforce our communities need to grow.
Finding Childcare:
Finding and choosing the licensed child care, preschool, or school-age 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 school-age 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.
For Employers: MI Tri-Share Child Care Program
MI Tri-Share is a Michigan workforce development program that makes childcare more
affordable by splitting the cost three ways: one-third paid by the employee, one-third by the
employer, and one-third by the State of Michigan.
Who it's for: Michigan employers and working parents with household incomes between 201%
and 325% of the Federal Poverty Level. Funds can be used for any licensed childcare provider
serving children ages 0–17, including preschool, before/after school care, and summer programs.
For employers, participating in MI Tri-Share is a recruitment and retention tool — a
meaningful, low-cost benefit that helps your employees stay in the workforce.
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To learn more or get started:
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Visit MITriShare.org for program details
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In the Upper Peninsula, contact MARESA, the regional hub for MI Tri-Share: https://www.maresa.org/educational-services/early-on/mi-tri-share-child-care-program/
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For Entrepreneurs: Starting a Childcare Business in Michigan
Michigan needs more licensed childcare providers — and there are resources to help you get
there. The State of Michigan offers a step-by-step guide to licensure covering all three license
types:
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Family Child Care Home — care for 1–6 unrelated children in your home
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Group Child Care Home — care for 7–12 unrelated children in your home
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Child Care Center — care in a commercial facility for any number of children under 13
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The process includes steps like background checks, CPR/first aid certification, health
inspections, and an orientation before your initial license is issued.
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Resources for aspiring childcare providers:
Resource Guide to Child Care Home Licensure in Michigan — This guide provides general information and requirements that must be completed in order to become a licensed family or group child care home
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Resource Guide to Child Care Center Licensure in Michigan — This guide provides general information and requirements that must be completed in order to become a licensed child care center
Step-by-Step Guide to Child Care Licensure in Michigan — a walkthrough of the licensure process
Michigan Child Care Licensing Bureau (MiLEAP) — licensing rules, applications, the CCHIRP provider portal, and additional resources from the state agency that oversees licensure
Michigan Child Care Mapping Project (MSU) — interactive maps showing where childcare deserts exist, provider counts by county, and scholarship usage data — useful for understanding where new providers are most needed
​Understanding the Issue
The MSU Child Care Mapping Project, supported by MiLEAP, tracks Michigan's childcare
landscape in real time — including where deserts are growing or shrinking and how state
investments are flowing. It's a good resource for anyone trying to understand the scope of the
problem or make the case for action in their community.
The ECE Task Force of the Upper Peninsula's 2024 Regional Action Plan offers a deep look at
childcare supply, demand, and barriers specific to our region, with data from employer surveys,
parent surveys, and assessments of municipal zoning and available building stock across all 15
U.P. counties.
Questions?
Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce is a partner in the U.P. Regional Child Care Coalition. We can
connect you with local resources, technical assistance, and programs that support both employers
and childcare entrepreneurs.
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