Finding Quality Child Care

Great Start to Quality

Great Start to Quality makes it easy for you to identify quality child care & preschools, helping you get the best for your child and the most for your money. Their helpful website allows you to search for and compare early childhood programs and providers. Their "Star Rating" program ranks providers on a scale of 1 to 5 stars based on state quality standards for safety, care, professionalism and early learning.

Search for Quality Child Care

Great Start to Quality is your one-stop resource to see quality ratings of all licensed and registered child care & preschool providers in Michigan. Free and available 24/7, GSQ.org helps you find the best child care possible for you and your child. Use the zip-code search to find care near your home, and you can even search for providers who accept payments from the state or children with special needs (everything from a peanut allergy to handicap-accessible play areas).

Chid Care Subsidy

If you cannot afford child care, payment assistance is available. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and MI Bridges through the state of Michigan has resources online to help you understand if you're eligible, how to apply, and how to select the right provider. 

Child Development and Care Scholarship

The Child Development and Care (CDC) program offers a scholarship for childcare services for families when the parent(s) are not able to provide child care because one of the following reasons:

• Employment

  • Employment or self-employment

• Approved activity

  • College or university undergraduate education up to a bachelor’s degree including online programs (does not include graduate, medical, or law school)

  • Employment preparation or training

• High school completion

  • General education development (GED)

  • Adult basic education (ABE)

  • English as a second language (SEL)

• Family preservation

  • Participating in an approved counseling or treatment program for a physical, emotional, or mental condition.

A parent must submit a completed application when seeking a scholarship for childcare. Use Great Start to Quality’s eligibility calculator to help see if you qualify to lower your childcare costs with a scholarship. Families can apply:

• Online: MI Bridges (Michigan.gov)

• Paper: MDHHS Applications assistance submitted to local Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) office.

For more information, see the CDC handbook.