When you need child care, the quality of that care is important. Not only do you need to find someplace you can trust, you need a place that provides a good learning environment for your child.
Great Start to Quality (GSQ) rates the quality of Michigan child care and preschool options to help you decide what’s best for your child based on:
The early learning your child receives both at home and in another’s care is important because 90% of a child’s brain develops by age five. Finding child care that supports early learning is important.
There are simple steps you and your child care provider can do that make a big difference in your child’s success at school and later in life. Find some of those steps to in the Steps Family Tool Kit.
Great Start to Quality (GSQ) is a free resource that helps families find the best licensed child care, preschool or afterschool program for their children, age 0 - 12. GSQ also helps educators improve the care they give to children.
Any Michigan family can use GSQ, at no cost, to help them look up and compare programs to find the best child care.
“Great Start to Quality is an extraordinary resource that supports families and early childhood educators. It supports parents by creating awareness about why quality care matters when they are seeking daycares, and it gives them the information they need to find quality child care programs.” – Michigan Parent
“This is a wonderful resource for parents looking for quality child care.” – Michigan Mom
Every child deserves the best quality education and care possible. Help is available if your family cannot pay for quality child care. You may be eligible for aid if:
To complete your application, you will need the following items:
If you want to use a License Exempt provider, like a family member, friend, or neighbor, they must complete a license exempt provider application:
Resource Centers provide support programs, providers, and families with child care resources at no cost.
Resource Centers offer:
Find tips for your child care search, information about types of child care, and checklists by child care type to help you find the right care setting for your child.
If you think your child is developing slower or has health issues, early intervention may help. Early On will work with you to evaluate your child’s current development and figure out the next steps.
Download the brochure for more detailed information about Great Start to Quality.
Talking, reading, singing, and playing on a daily basis helps your child learn. Find resources and activities you can do at home with your child to support learning and development.
