What is the average cost of daycare in Michigan?
What is the average cost of daycare in Michigan?
$400 – $1,200 average cost per month
$4,800 – $16,800 average cost per year
Average cost of childcare in Michigan
Deciding who will care for your child is a big choice that can affect your little one's health and safety. The cost of childcare in Michigan varies quite a bit depending on the center and your specific location.
The average cost of daycare in Michigan is $400 to $1,200 per month or $4,800 to $16,800 per year, depending on your child's age and whether they attend full-time or part-time. Most daycares accept kids anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 years old. Rates for infants are higher than for older children.
| Child's age | Average cost per month | Average cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $500 – $1,400 | $6,000 – $16,800 |
| Toddler | $450 – $1,200 | $5,400 – $14,400 |
| Preschooler | $400 – $1,000 | $4,800 – $12,000 |
Cost of daycare in Michigan by schedule
Having a child in daycare part-time or only for half-days costs less than full-time care or 5 days per week. Some daycare centers calculate differently than others or use weekly rates, so remember to get separate quotes for each center you visit. For school-age kids, after-school care costs $150 to $500 per month.
If you don't plan to have your child in daycare regularly and just need care every once in a while, many daycare centers charge $20 to $150 per day for drop-ins.
| Daycare type | Average cost per month |
|---|---|
| Part-time | $400 – $1,000 |
| Full-time | $1,000 – $1,400 |
Michigan childcare cost factors
The national average child care costs are $5,000 to $18,000 per year. The cost for daycare in Michigan is slightly less than that, with costs depending on factors like:
Location: Daycare centers in metro areas like Detroit, Grand Rapids, or Ann Arbor may have higher rates.
Building quality: Newer, nicer buildings with upgraded equipment tend to cost more than older daycare centers or in-home care. Updated facilities may be safer or worth the extra cost.
Experience of staff: Some childcare staff need to have CPR certifications or a certain amount of experience working with kids. Centers with higher standards are usually safer for your child but cost more.
Extra events: Some daycare centers offer field trips, date night coverage, or special holiday parties. These centers often either charge higher rates or ask for contributions for activities.
Late fees: Many daycares charge a late fee if you pick up your child after closing time, so make sure you pick a center that aligns with your schedule.
Supplies: For infants and younger children, you'll most likely have to provide diapers, wipes, and spare clothing. Daycare employees have to change diapers or pull-ups at least once every 2 to 3 hours, so make sure you keep them stocked to avoid getting reminders.
Some daycares give discounts to military members, employees, or parents who enroll siblings.
Daycare services
The services, lessons, and activities each daycare center offers will be slightly different, but most offer the following:
Age-appropriate lessons or crafts
Regular diaper changes
Snacks and meals
Naps, depending on age
Outside playtime
Potty training
Popular daycare franchises such as KinderCare cost more than average, about $680 to $2,400 per month. However, they also have higher educational standards and strict staff requirements.
Daycare assistance in Michigan
Daycare can be a financial burden for many parents. Several state and federal programs can help pay for childcare:
Early On Michigan: This program helps infants and toddlers (up to age 3) with disabilities or developmental delays. It gives free evaluations and aid.
Great Start to Quality: This program gives free or low-cost childcare for infants and children up to age 12.
PreK for All: This program's goal is to give free preschool to all 4-year-olds in Michigan by 2027.
Michigan Child Development and Care (CDC) Subsidy Program: This state program offers financial assistance to eligible families to help cover the cost of childcare.
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC): This national service helps low-income parents work or go to school by paying for childcare.
Head Start / Early Head Start: This federal program provides early childhood education and health services to low-income families with children who are up to 5 years old.
Childcare in Michigan FAQs
Do I qualify for daycare assistance in Michigan?
You may qualify for daycare assistance in Michigan if your family's income is under $39,432 per year for a family of 2 or $60,000 per year for a family of 4 and/or you meet any of the following conditions:
You're looking for work or attending school.
You receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
You are currently homeless.
Your child has a disability or developmental delay.
Does foster care pay for daycare in Michigan?
Yes, all foster parents in Michigan qualify for daycare benefits, regardless of their income, as long as they are working or going to school for an undergraduate degree.
When are daycares usually open in Michigan?
Daycare centers in Michigan are usually open Monday to Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. The exact hours for each center vary slightly. Some centers don't open until 7:30 AM or close down on certain days of the week.
Finding the best daycare center near you
When searching for daycare centers in Michigan, follow these steps:
Visit multiple daycare centers in person to make sure they're clean and in good condition.
Meet with the staff and teachers to check whether they're kind and warm with the children.
Look through our Daycare License Lookup guide to make sure the daycare center has a license and doesn't have any violations.
Get a quote or contract in writing.
Follow whatever payment schedule you set up with the center director.
Questions to ask childcare providers
When talking to daycare directors, ask these questions:
How long have you worked with children?
Do all of your staff have CPR and first aid training?
Which classroom will my child be in? Can I see it?
How many kids are in each class?
How do you make sure you keep proper child-to-staff ratios during opening and closing hours?
What vouchers or financial aid options do you accept?
What are your hours?
Will you be closed on any holidays? Which ones?
How much outside playtime do the kids get per day?
Which meals and snacks do you provide? Do you have a sample menu I can see?
How often do you send pictures or updates during the day?
What's your policy for biting or injuries in class?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.