Choosing Child Care

A child care center, a home-based child care program, or an in-your-home caregiver -- which is right for you? And how do you go about making a choice? The following information may help you in your search. 

Child Care Licensing, Accreditation, and State Quality Level Rating

Child care centers and family or group child care homes should be currently licensed by the State of Michigan MiLEAP, Child Care Licensing Division. Ask for proof of current licensure from the State of Michigan. See A Parent's Guide to Child Care Licensing.

Child care licensing rules are mandatory, and ongoing compliance is important. It appears that the relatively new Licensing (CCHIRP) database will have a greater number of recent inspection reports posted for you to review for a child care center or home, while the Great Start database may just have the "most recent" report posted. On the Licensing database, see under Inspection Reports and Report Name for each program, and read the recent Inspection, Renewal, and any Special Investigation Reports. Review any rules violations carefully -- especially if they are recent violations, and ones that could affect the safety and well-being of children. Licensed child care programs are required to keep a notebook of their state reports available for you to review, and past reports for a program or a licensee are also available to you via a FOIA request (email [email protected]).

Optional programs for meeting various quality standards set by different groups include the State of Michigan Great Start to Quality QRIS (level rating), or accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children/NAEYC (center-based settings) or the National Association for Family Child Care/NAFCC (home-based programs).

Center-based Child Care Programs

Centers provide care for children in a state-licensed group setting outside of a home. NAEYC for Families provides more information on center-based care and accreditation.

Potential Advantages:

  • Environment and staff responsibilities are focused on child care.
  • Teamwork can promote a positive atmosphere and spirit of cooperation.
  • Staff emergencies do not affect center's hours.
  • There are usually several adults to care for children.
  • A center may be more likely to provide a written account of an individual child's activities.
  • A center may be more likely to have connections with other community resources.
  • Licensed center care can be more affordable than hiring a nanny or other caregiver to come to your home.

Potential Challenges:

  • Exposure to larger numbers of adults and children increases the risk of illness.
  • A center may have a more institutional atmosphere.
  • A center may require more conformity and routine than home care, resulting in less flexibility.
  • Changing shifts and staff turnover may affect relationships between the child and primary caregiver.
  • There may be communication gaps due to multiple caregivers.

Home-based Child Care Programs or an In-Your-Home Caregiver

There are two different types of home-based care. The first is a state-licensed family or group child care program. In Michigan, a licensed family provider cares for up to 6 children (up to 7 with State of Michigan special approval) in her own home. A licensed group provider cares for up to 12 children (up to 14 with State of Michigan special approval) in her own home, and must have an assistant if there are more than 6 children or more than 2 infants and/or 4 toddlers. See NAFCC for families and family child care research data for more information.

The second type is in-your-home care where you hire a caregiver to care for your children in your own family home. This option is not state-licensed child care. It includes nannies, babysitters, and au pairs.

Potential Advantages:

  • Individualized care is more likely.
  • Care takes place in a home setting.
  • Parents and children can benefit from a sense of an extended family.
  • There are more opportunities for multi-age interaction, and siblings can be together rather than in separate classrooms and playgrounds during the child care day.
  • More continuity and bonding with one primary caregiver is possible.
  • Home-based care may be more flexible in caring for children with minor illnesses.
  • Home-based care may be able to accommodate a parent's need for longer or unusual hours, or care during emergencies.
  • Licensed family or group child care can be much more affordable than hiring a caregiver or nanny to come to your home.

Potential Challenges:

  • Caregiver may work alone. Long hours may cause stress and fatigue.  
  • Handling emergencies could be more difficult if only one adult is available.  
  • Caregiver illness or emergencies can leave a parent without child care unless a backup is planned.  
  • Caregiver may not have the resources or expertise to provide an age-appropriate environment for different age groups.
  • Caregiver might not commit to a long-term arrangement.
  • Hiring a caregiver or nanny to come to your home is often the highest-cost type of care. Au pairs can be more affordable, though you also provide housing for them.

(Portions reprinted with the permission of Child Care Network) 

Child Care Aware provides a resource titled Is This the Right Place for My Child? and information on types of child care.

If you have general questions about child care search resources, or if you need help navigating the State of Michigan databases of all licensed child care centers and homes, please email or leave a voicemail at (734) 763-9379.