The Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB) performs state licensing regulatory duties as required by state laws and federal requirements.
Early learning and development program resources for all children, birth to age eight, especially those in highest need.
The MI Tri-Share Child Care Program is an innovative approach to increasing access to high-quality, affordable child care for working families while also helping employers retain talent and remove one major barrier to employment.
Michigan is one of 20 states selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to receive the Preschool Development B-5 renewal grant (PDG).
The PreK for All Initiative helps Michigan families save money while preparing the state’s youngest learners for kindergarten.
The Office of Education Partnerships at MiLEAP oversees both the Governor’s Educator Advisory Council and the Michigan PreK-12 Literacy Commission.
The Office of Family Partnerships coordinates and aligns a statewide system of family-school-community partnerships in support of positive developmental, health and academic outcomes, ensuring every learner in Michigan thrives.
Resources for Michigan’s Out-of-School Time programs and providers.
The Office of Higher Education at MiLEAP convened a 15-member task force to examine how basic needs insecurity affects college students across Michigan. Their goal is to identify effective interventions and recommend policy changes that remove financial barriers to education.
The Michigan Legislature tasked MiLEAP’s Office of Higher Education (OHE) with partnering statewide to improve student transfer and credit acceptance. Through its Transfer Success Project, OHE advances student-centered outcomes using evidence-based strategies and meaningful cross-sector collaboration.
The Universal FAFSA Challenge supports districts in adopting a local universal FAFSA policy and implementing FAFSA completion support in their high schools and local communities.
By 2030, 60% of working-age Michiganders will have a certificate or college degree. Michigan will be a talent leader — fueling the future workforce and providing opportunity for all.
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November 12, 2025
MiLEAP and SBAM encourage providers to enroll in affordable health, life and retirement benefits that bring stability, security and career support
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), in partnership with the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), today announced that open enrollment for the Nurture Benefits pilot begins November 15. The program offers licensed and license-exempt child care providers across Michigan access to affordable health, life and retirement benefits to support their careers and the families they serve. Currently, only 35% of child care providers receive health insurance through their employer.
“Michigan’s child care professionals are the foundation of our early learning system and the workforce that makes all other work possible,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “Nurture Benefits gives providers the stability and support they need to grow in their careers while ensuring families have access to consistent, high-quality care. We encourage all eligible providers to explore the program, learn about available benefits and take the first steps to enroll starting November 15.”
"SBAM is proud to partner with MiLEAP to bring Nurture Benefits to Michigan’s child care professionals,” said Michelle Beebe, chief revenue officer at SBAM. “These providers are essential to our state’s workforce and economy, and they deserve access to quality employee benefits. Nurture Benefits is a game-changer, offering affordable health, life & disability, and retirement options that empower providers to build stable, rewarding careers while continuing to keep kids in care and serve Michigan's families."
Administered by SBAM, the Nurture Benefits pilot gives child care employers the opportunity to offer affordable health, life and retirement benefits to their staff. Eligible providers—including licensed and license-exempt center-based, family home and group home settings working 30 or more hours per week—can begin enrolling on Nov. 15, 2025, with coverage effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Through Nurture Benefits, providers gain access to:
Additional features help providers navigate the program, including:
Providers can review all resources, access technical assistance and prepare for enrollment at www.nurturebenefits.com.
“Meeting the child care needs of Michigan families starts with supporting the child care providers who care for our children.” said Emily Laidlaw, deputy director at MiLEAP, overseeing the Office of Early Education. “Nurture Benefits gives early educators the tools they need to drive toward solutions for every family that need it- with good jobs for early educators we count on to keep children safe, happy, and learning. We urge all eligible staff and employers to explore the program and prepare to enroll on November 15.”
Created to address long-standing gaps in access to affordable benefits, the program supports providers’ careers, enhances workforce retention and ensures children and their families have access to reliable, high-quality care.
To learn more, visit www.nurturebenefits.com.
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About MiLEAP:
Established by Governor Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from preschool to postsecondary so anyone can ‘make it in Michigan’ with a solid education and a path to a good-paying job. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.Media Contact:
