LICENSING
To teach is to touch a life forever.
Our program operations MUST always be in compliance with Child Care Rules for Licensed Centers. These licensing tools are required by the State of Michigan; and ensures our program compliance with the rules.
CHILD CARE CENTER RECORD REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST
This is a customized checklist to ensure compliance with Michigan child care licensing that require us to demonstrate and maintain comprehensive records for children, staff, and the facility, as detailed in Child Care Licensing Rules and on Child Care Center Record Requirements (BCAL-5041). Directors can refer to this checklist to follow the licensing requirements and ensure compliance.
CHILD CARE LICENSING FORMS Once on the site, review the forms under CHILD CARE CENTERS.
CHILD CARE LICENSING RULES The licensing rules are use to monitor and regulate child care centers in the State of Michigan. It is required that we always have and can provide access to these rules. The child care licensing rules was revised in 2025. All licensed providers are requires to follow the updated rules to ensure safety and high-quality care for children. You can access a training review of all the new licensing rules available here. The new rules that affect child operations are highlighted below:
MiRegistry R 400.8213a New Rule
(1) Within 30 calendar days after employment, all program staff, unsupervised volunteers, and substitute teachers shall have an individual MiRegistry account and a non-expired MiRegistry membership status, which includes submitted, materials received, awaiting print, or current.
Employee Orientation R 400.8216 New Rule
(1) Program staff and unsupervised volunteers shall participate in the center’s orientation training about the center’s policies and practices and these rules. (11) Verification of all training required by this rule must be maintained on file at the center or at the central office until 2 years after the effective date of this rule, after which qualifications must be reflected as verified in MiRegistry.
Professional Development R 400.8216a New Rule
(1) Program staff, except for substitute teachers and unsupervised volunteers, shall complete 16 clock hours of professional development in a calendar year on topics relevant to job responsibilities that include (12) Two years after the effective date of this rule, all training to meet professional development requirements must be approved in MiRegistry.
Naptime Ratios R 400.8222 New Rule
(9) When all children in a room are asleep, 1 child care staff member may provide supervision as long as all of the following are met:
(a) A child care staff member remains in the room and is not performing any duties other than supervision.
(b) All children are visible to the child care staff member in the room.
(c) Additional child care staff members are present at the center and near enough to immediately intervene if needed.
(d) When the first child wakes up, the required ratios in the room must be met immediately.
Staff In Charge R 400.8103 New Rule
(j) “Staff-in-charge" means a child care staff member appointed by a program administrator of a single site when the program administrator is not on the premises and is responsible for supervising the operation of the center including, but not limited to, having the authority to respond to emergencies, inspections, parental concerns, and have access to all required information.
Immunizations R 400.8112 New Rule # and Amended
(2) For children under school-age, at the time of a child’s initial attendance, a center shall document 1 of the following, accessed through the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) or in a paper format if the parent or guardian chooses to provide to the center in that manner.
Physicals R 400.8112 New Rule # and Amended
(5) A record of a physical evaluation performed within the preceding 13 months after initial attendance for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers must be retained on file and made accessible in the center within 30 days after a child’s initial attendance. The evaluation must note any restrictions and be signed by a physician or the physician’s designee. An electronic record from a physician’s office is accepted.
(6) Physical evaluations must be updated every 13 months for infants and toddlers, and every 2 years for preschoolers.
Center Records R 400.8112a New Rule
(1) The center shall maintain accurate records detailing daily arrival and departure times for each staff member, volunteers, therapeutic professionals, and independent service providers.
(2) The center shall designate and keep current, in the manner prescribed by the department, the title designations of teacher, lead teacher, site administrator, program administrator, substitute teacher, unsupervised volunteer, supervised volunteer, or other staff member for each individual working at the center.
Natural Playground R 400.8102 New Rule # and Amended
(h) “Natural playground” means an outdoor play area that blends natural materials, features, and vegetation, which can include tree logs, tree stumps, boulders, and plants.
Temperature R 400.8152 New Rule # and Amended
(2) The indoor temperature must be not less than 68 degrees Fahrenheit in child use areas at a point 2 feet above the floor.