Michigan
Working families in Michigan need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Michigan. But too many working families in Michigan are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Michigan economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 669k children ages 5 and under in Michigan – 65% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Michigan is around $12,600.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 7% of eligible families. This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.
On average, child care providers in Michigan earn just $28,860 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Michigan’s economy loses $3B annually due to child care challenges.
Michigan: In The Headlines
Nurturing Michigan’s future at $15 an hour: Child care workers are struggling
Detroit Free Press | September 14, 2025
Low compensation leads to high turnover, according to experts. After four years at Above and Beyond Learning Childcare Center, Brown is now Hodge’s longest serving employee.
Easily Accessible Childcare Gives Boost to Michigan’s Economy, Study Shows
WHMI | oCTOBER 6, 2025
The study showed that families living further from licensed child care providers were “significantly less” likely to be part of the workforce.
Child care deserts costs Michigan nearly $3 billion annually
WKAR | oCTOBER 9, 2025
Living too far from child care centers is making it harder for parents to work. And that’s costing the state nearly $3 billion every year, according to new research from Michigan State University.
Michigan Resources & News
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