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Friday, July 24, 2026

Table of Contents

• 2026 Child Care Licensing Rules for Group and Family Homes
• Important Information About Your Child Care Home Rule Book Mailing
• Arabic-Language New Home Rules Training Offered in Oakland County
• Pontiac Region Training Cancelled
• July Naptime Nugget 
• Billing Training for Licensed Child Care Providers is Now Available!
• 2026-2027 Out-of-School Time Grants Announcement and Information
• CDA Renewal Amnesty: Your Experience Doesn’t Expire
• PRESS RELEASE: More Michigan 3-Year-Olds to Gain Access to Free, High-Quality PreK Through Strong Beginnings Expansion
• CPSC Recalls and Safety Warnings

2026 Child Care Licensing Rules for Group and Family Homes

New Child Care Licensing Rules for Group and Family Homes in Effect July 26, 2026

On April 27, 2026, the new set of 2026 Child Care Family and Group Home Rules Rules were officially adopted. These updates reflect the voices of hundreds of providers, families, and community partners across Michigan and are designed to support safe, high-quality care and a strong child care workforce.

Per MCL 722.112 of the Child Care Organizations Act (PA 116), providers had 90 days from the adoption date, July 26, 2026, to come into compliance with the new rules. To support you in this transition to implementing the new child care center rules, the department is offering technical assistance and guidance to help you meet the new requirements.

Training and Support

To support your transition to the new rule set, the Child Care Licensing Bureau has provided both in-person and virtual training opportunities statewide and released an updated Technical Assistance and Consultation Manual to guide providers through the rule changes.

The following resources remain available for ongoing review and support:

• 2026 Child Care Family and Group Home Rules
• Updated Technical Assistance and Consultation Manual
• 2026 Family and Group Home Rules Training Slides for Providers - View or download the training slides presented during provider sessions.
• New Child Care Home Rules Training Schedule - scroll down the page to view the remaining in person and virtual training options and registration links.
• New Home Rules Self-Paced Training - The new course is accessible through the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children's (MiAEYC) Knowledge Center. To register for this training and access it, please log in to your existing MiAEYC account, or create a user account in the MiAEYC Knowledge Center. This is a free account that allows you to access training and resources from the MiAEYC Knowledge Center.

Please reach out to your licensing consultant with any questions or if you need support as you make updates.

Thank you for your continued dedication to Michigan’s children and families!

Important Information About Your Child Care Home Rule Book Mailing

The mailing of the new Child Care Home Licensing Rule Books began last week. Because there are more than 3,000 licensed child care homes across the state of Michigan, delivery may take longer than usual. Some providers have already received their new rule book, while others will receive theirs in the coming days. 

We recently identified a technical issue that affected some of the mailing labels. Although the envelope you receive may have the correct mailing address, the name printed on the envelope may not match your facility or licensee. If you receive one of these mailings at your facility's address, please open the package. The rule book and enclosed materials were intended for your licensed child care home.

After opening the package, please:

• Keep the rule book and accompanying materials.
• Scan the QR code in the front of the rule book to complete the required acknowledgment that you have received and reviewed the Licensing Rules for Family and Group Child Care Homes.

We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this mailing issue may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to resolve it.

If you have any questions or need an additional rule book, please contact us at MiLEAP-CCLB-Help@michigan.gov.

Arabic-Language New Home Rules Training Offered in Oakland County

We have an upcoming in-person Arabic-language training on the New Home Rules scheduled in Oakland County.

Training information:

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

 United Community Family Services CALC Building

 2033 Austin Dr., Troy, MI 48083

6:00 - 8:00 pm

We're excited to offer this training as an opportunity for providers who would benefit from receiving the content in Arabic or who prefer an in-person learning experience. Please share this information with anyone who may benefit. We encourage anyone to register as soon as possible. We need a minimum of 10 registered providers to hold the training.

You can register for this training on MiRegistry or by using this direct link: New Home Rules Arabic-language Training.

Additional Training Option

Additionally, we wanted to highlight that we still have room in an in-person training being held in Oakland County on July 29th, at the Epicentre as it was initially left off of our training list. 

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Epicentre: 18000 West Nine Mile Road

Southfield, MI 48075

6:00 0 8:00 pm

Registration Link: MiRegistry - Application

Pontiac Region Training Cancelled

Our training sessions for the New Child Care Rules for Group and Family Homes are continuing. You can find the remainder of our in-person and virtual trainings on our Licensed Child Care Provider Training page.

Pontiac Region Training on 7/27/26 Cancelled

• The in-person training session scheduled to be held at the Shiawassee ISD on Monday, July 27, 2026 has been cancelled due to lack of enrollment. 

July Naptime Nugget

To learn more about the MCIR Modernization project and the transition to STC ONE, you can visit: MCIR Modernization – mcir.org

Billing Training for Licensed Child Care Providers is Now Available!

The licensed provider Child Development and Care (CDC) Scholarship billing training is now available in MiRegistry. It is free and ready for licensed providers to complete. The link to register is https://learn.miaeyc.org/products/child-development-and-care-cdc-scholarship-billing-training-for-licensed-providers.

This training supports licensed child care providers in understanding the billing process for the Child Development and Care Scholarship. Participants will explore key billing requirements and recordkeeping practices that help ensure accurate payments and reduce the risk of improper payments or recoupments.

2026-2027 Out-of-School Time Grants Announcement and Information

2026-27 Out-of-School Time Grant Information 

On July 21, 2026, Michigan Public Act (P.A.) 25 of 2026, Section 32n was signed into law with $135 million budgeted to provide in-person before-school, after-school, before-and-after-school, and/or summer programming to children in any of grades K-12. The new legislation defines the eligible applicants, the type of programming, and the priorities that the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) must use in a competitive grant process to award the funds across the state.  

To be eligible for a grant under this legislation, the applicant must meet, at a minimum, all of the following criteria: 

• Be a community-based organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 USC 501, a religious-based institution, a federally recognized tribal nation, an institution of higher education, a public library, a local city or municipality, or an intermediate district. 
• Must be a licensed child care organization for before/after-school, school-age program; or hold a Children’s Camp License; or an entity that has an active application to be a licensed child care organization; or meet an exemptionfrom child care licensing by the State of Michigan Licensing Bureau 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 to 722.128. Upon award, programs with an active child care or camp licensing application must complete the licensing process before the entity starts offering the OST program service and funds will be released. Upon completion, the entity must submit a copy of the approved license to the MiLEAP-OST Team via email to MiLEAP-OST@Michigan.gov. 
• At least 60 days of program services, at a single program site, during the school year for a minimum of 15 students dailyfor 1.5 hours for before-school, after-school, or both before-and-after-school; and/or at least 24 days of programming services, at a single program site, during the summer for a minimum of 15 students for 4 hours daily. 
• Must be used to support expanded learning opportunities, including, but not limited to, mentoring, leadership, community engagement, agriculture, visual and performing arts, financial literacy, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), health and wellness, physical fitness, recreation, career and college exploration, youth voice, conflict resolution, 21st century skills, and social engagement programming. 
• Must provide educational programming in core subject areas, including, but not limited to, mathematics, reading/literacy, and science. 
• Address academic outcomes and not fewer than two additional measurable goals, including, but not limited to, improved school attendance, improve attitudes toward school, skill development and retention, improved positive behaviors, higher education aspirations, and improved family engagement, and include activities linked to research or quality practices.         
• Must provide program-specific data to evaluate the program in a form and manner as prescribed by the department. This may include, but is not limited to, enrollment data, attendance data, student demographic data, parent/guardian feedback surveys, student and staff surveys, and financial spending for grant implementation.  

For additional grant information, please see the attached announcement. This information is also available on our website, MiLEAP Out-of-School Time Grants, before the release of the application. Eligible entities may submit an Intent to Apply.

To receive access to the application, please click the following Intent to Apply link: 

2026-27 OST Intent to Apply Link. You must have a MiLogin for Business Account to submit your intent to apply.   

The program office staff will assist potential applicants in getting access to the grant system.  

• 2026-27 OST Grant Information Webinar, please click here to register: 2026-27 OST Grant Information Webinar(choose one) 
• Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. 
• Monday, August 10, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. 
• 2026-27 OST Grant Technical Assistance Sessions, please click here to register for any session below: 2026-27 OST Grant - TA Session
• Technical assistance on the Grant Electronic Monitoring System (GEMS), MiLogin for Business access, the Intent to Apply, and Request for Proposal inquiries.

The OST Grant Roadshow begins on Monday, July 27. See below for details and registration.

• 2026-2027 32n OST Grant Announcement.pdf

CDA Renewal Amnesty: Your Experience Doesn't Expire

PRESS RELEASE: More Michigan 3-Year-Olds to Gain Access to Free, High-Quality PreK Through Strong Beginnings Expansion

State-funded pilot program will grow from 19 to 31 intermediate school districts for the 2026-27 school year, serve 58% more children

LANSING, Mich. – Hundreds more children will have access to free, high-quality prekindergarten before age four as Michigan's Strong Beginnings pilot program expands to additional communities across the state.

The program builds on Michigan’s PreK for All strategy by giving eligible 3-year-olds an additional year of early learning that helps prepare them for success in kindergarten and beyond.

"Every child deserves a strong start, and we know that high-quality early learning experiences can have a lasting impact on a child's future success," said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). "By expanding Strong Beginnings to additional communities, Michigan is helping more children build the foundational skills they need to thrive in school while providing families with valuable support during a critical stage of development. This investment in early learning opportunities for 3-year-olds helps strengthen the pathway to kindergarten and ensures more children are prepared to enter school ready to learn."

Strong Beginnings provides developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences that help children build social-emotional, language, literacy, and early learning skills before entering kindergarten. Small class sizes, certified early childhood educators, family engagement supports, and strong connections to community resources are key components of the model that help children thrive while supporting families.

The expansion is expected to increase the program's reach from 476 children across 34 classrooms during the 2025-26 school year to approximately 750 children across 50 classrooms during the 2026-27 school year – an estimated 58% increase in children served. New classrooms will open in Allegan, Clare, Clinton, Delta, Genesee, Huron, Jackson, Macomb, Marquette, Montcalm, Ottawa, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Joseph, Washtenaw, and Wexford counties, expanding Strong Beginnings from 19 to 31 ISDs across Michigan.

By providing reliable access to high-quality early learning, Strong Beginnings helps families pursue their goals while ensuring children receive the developmental support they need during the critical early years. Families with children in 3-year-old programs save an average of nearly $16,000 per year per child on early learning costs. Nearly 90% of participating families said the Strong Beginnings program helped them work more hours, look for employment, improve their health, or pursue education and career training opportunities. 

Initially launched in 2020 with support through federal Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge funding, the program has continued to grow thanks to bipartisan state and federal early childhood investments. The program serves children from families with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level, which is approximately $82,500 annually for a family of four, as well as children who may benefit from additional early learning supports.

As part of the MiLEAP’s commitment to supporting children from birth through career, Strong Beginnings also advances Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Every Child Reads initiative by helping children develop the early language, vocabulary, communication, and literacy skills that are critical to becoming strong readers and successful learners. The program also serves as a companion to Michigan’s nationally recognized Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), creating a continuum of early learning opportunities for children and families.

"Research consistently shows that early learning experiences matter, and a two-year prekindergarten experience can be especially powerful for all children," said Emily Laidlaw, MiLEAP deputy director overseeing the Office of Early Education. "Strong Beginnings helps children develop language, literacy, social-emotional, and problem-solving skills while also building strong partnerships with families. Expanding access means more children will enter school ready to learn and ready to succeed."

The program is coordinated in partnership with the Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency (CCRESA), which supports implementation and continuous improvement efforts across participating communities.

"Strong Beginnings has demonstrated that high-quality prekindergarten experiences for 3-year-olds can make a meaningful difference for children and families," said Christine Callahan, director of the Office of Innovative Projects with CCRESA. "We are excited to support additional communities as they launch classrooms and build on the success we've already seen through this innovative model."

According to a recent evaluation conducted by Michigan State University, families participating in Strong Beginnings report strong results for their children with 97% saying their child developed new skills and abilities through the program and 96% reporting their child loves attending.

As part of the expansion, Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMSCA), which currently operates a Strong Beginnings classroom in Midland County, plans to open one new Strong Beginnings classroom in Sanilac County and another in Huron County for the 2026-27 school year.

"As a longtime Head Start provider, we've seen how high-quality early learning experiences help children build confidence, strengthen language and social-emotional skills, and prepare for success in school," said Tricia Grifka, early childhood services director for NEMSCA. "Strong Beginnings provides families with an additional year of support during a critical stage of development, and we're excited to expand access to more children and families in our region."

"Strong Beginnings has been a wonderful experience for my daughter and our family," said Tiffany James, whose daughter, Camille, 4, attends Northwest Michigan College Children’s Learning Center in Traverse City. "I've seen tremendous growth in her social skills and communication. She's more confident, more outgoing, and much better at expressing her feelings and needs. The teachers have created a welcoming environment where she feels comfortable learning, making friends, and being herself. It's been amazing to watch her grow."

Strong Beginnings serves as an important part of Michigan's broader early childhood education strategy by creating a pathway for children to participate in two consecutive years of high-quality learning and development before kindergarten.

Applications for new and continuing Strong Beginnings sites are currently under review, with participating ISDs expected to finalize local approvals in the coming weeks ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

To learn more about Michigan's early childhood education programs, including Strong Beginnings, visit MiLEAP’s Early Learning and Family Supports page.

CPSC Recalls and Safety Warnings

Please review the following recalls and safety warnings. For a full list of recalls and product safety warnings visit Recalls & Product Safety Warnings | CPSC.gov

Target Recalls Cat & Jack Children’s Sandals Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Choking Hazard | CPSC.gov

SDADI Kitchen Step Stools Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury and Death from Entrapment and Fall Hazards; Imported by Yiwushi Bihe Trading | CPSC.gov

TOMY Recalls Boon PIVOT Collapsible Toddler Tower Kitchen Step Stools Due to Risk of Serious Injury and Death from Tip-Over and Fall Hazards | CPSC.gov

Oitnlaughter Projecting Finger Light Toys Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Toys; Sold on Amazon by Delightmi | CPSC.gov