Need Childcare?

If you are looking for licensed childcare in any of the 15 counties of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, please take a few minutes to fill out the Child Care Referral Request. There is no fee for our referral service. Funding provided by the State of Michigan Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) allows us to offer our services without charge. All information shared shall be kept strictly confidential. 4C of the U.P. shall use confidential information solely for the purpose of performing referral services for clients.

Types of Licensed Child Care

4C of the U.P. only refers childcare providers who are licensed or registered by the State of Michigan Office of Adult and Children Licensing Division. Anyone in the State of Michigan that cares for unrelated children in their home for more than 4 weeks in a year needs to have a license. There are three types of licensed providers available through the referral service:

1. Family day care homes are registered to care for up to six children in the provider's own home. Of these children no more than two may be under the age of 18 months according to Family Day Care Licensing Rules.
2. Group day care homes are licensed to care for up to twelve children in the licensee's home. Whenever more than six children are in attendance there must also be a second adult caregiver present. No more than two children per caregiver may be under the age of 18 months according to Group Day Care Licensing Rules.
3. Child care centers are licensed facilities other than a private residence and generally described as a child care center, day care center, day nursery, nursery school, parent cooperative preschool, pre-kindergarten, drop-in center or school age before/after school programs. Centers may be licensed for infants to 13 years of age. The ratio of staff to children for 2½ years of age and under is one staff to four children per Child Care Center Licensing Rules.

You may submit a referral request by completing the Child Care Referral Request form or by telephoning a 4C Specialist toll free 866-424-4532. A list of referrals will be sent by U.S. postal mail or e-mail within one business day of your request. If you do not receive the information, please contact our office toll free at 866-424-4532. (Please be aware that e-mails going to businesses sometimes reject attachments or unrecognizable e-mail addresses.)