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Caring for MI Future

Caring for MI future mural

Caring for MI Future

What is Caring for MI Future?

Caring for MI Future is a statewide effort to help child care entrepreneurs open 1,000 new or expanded child care programs by the end of 2024. This initiative, led by the Michigan Departments of Education and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (MDE & LARA) is focusing on what entrepreneurs need most to open and expand child care businesses—help finding and renovating space, startup funding, help recruiting staff, and support creating a business plan.

An update about the opportunities available to child care entrepreneurs is available on this PowerPoint.

Our Strong Start

Our Strong Start has a team of trained navigators ready to connect child care entrepreneurs with grant opportunities and assistance, addressing questions and concerns about starting or expanding their child care business.

Grants that are Currently Available: 

Empty preschool classroom

Space

Child care businesses need access to affordable, licensable spaces to care for kids. $50 million in grant funding is available for minor renovations and improvements to facilities (both indoor and outdoor) to meet licensing and quality standards.

Piggy bank

Start Up Funding

Cashflow is an ongoing challenge for child care businesses, especially new sites that must incur costs well before they have revenue. These investments will provide funds to assist with these gaps.

Teacher and three children sitting at table

Staff

Entrepreneurs can’t open and expand their businesses if they can’t hire staff. These funds will continue our statewide effort to recruit, train, and retain talented early educators that live and work in the communities they serve.

Two individuals sitting at a computer

Business Support

Many new businesses benefit from support from the state and their community to assess market demands, identify space, comply with health and safety rules and to create a sustainable business plan. These funds will align resources to make the startup and licensing process clearer and faster for providers.

Frequently Asked Questions