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​Childcare Resources for
Employers & Entrepreneurs
Childcare isn't just a family issue — it's an economic development issue. A report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Chamber and Michigan Chamber of Commerce, found that childcare challenges cost Michigan's economy an estimated $2.88 billion annually through employer losses from turnover and absenteeism and lost state tax revenue. Closer to home, a 2024 regional assessment by the Early Childhood Education Task Force of the Upper Peninsula found that in much of the U.P., there are three or more children competing for every licensed childcare spot — and in some areas, no licensed spots at all. Over half of U.P. families surveyed were spending more than double the federally defined threshold for "affordable" childcare, and employers reported that childcare challenges were driving absenteeism, turnover, and lost recruitment. Addressing childcare supply is essential to attracting and retaining the workforce our communities need to grow.
For Employers: MI Tri-Share Child Care Program
MI Tri-Share
is a Michigan workforce development program that makes childcare more affordable by splitting the cost three ways: one-third paid by the employee, one-third by the employer, and one-third by the State of Michigan.
Who it's for:
Michigan employers and working parents with household incomes between 201% and 325% of the Federal Poverty Level. Funds can be used for any licensed childcare provider serving children ages 0–17, including preschool, before/after school care, and summer programs.
For employers,
participating in MI Tri-Share is a recruitment and retention tool — a meaningful, low-cost benefit that helps your employees stay in the workforce.
To learn
more or get started:
Visit MITriShare.org for program details
In the Upper Peninsula, contact MARESA, the regional hub for MI Tri-Share: https://www.maresa.org/educational-services/early-on/mi-tri-share-child-care-program/
For Entrepreneurs: Starting a Childcare Business in Michigan
Michigan needs more licensed childcare providers — and there are resources to help you get there. The State of Michigan offers a step-by-step guide to licensure covering all three license types:
Family Child Care Home
care for 1–6 unrelated children in your home
Group Child Care Home
care for 7–12 unrelated children in your home
Child Care Center
care in a commercial facility for any number of children under 13
The process includes steps like background checks, CPR/first aid certification, health inspections, and an orientation before your initial license is issued.
Resources for aspiring childcare providers:
1
a plain-language walkthrough of the licensure process
2
licensing rules, applications, the CCHIRP provider portal, and additional resources from the state agency that oversees licensure
3
interactive maps showing where childcare deserts exist, provider counts by county, and scholarship usage data — useful for understanding where new providers are most needed
Understanding the Issue
The MSU Child Care Mapping Project, supported by MiLEAP, tracks Michigan's childcare landscape in real time — including where deserts are growing or shrinking and how state investments are flowing. It's a good resource for anyone trying to understand the scope of the problem or make the case for action in their community.
The ECE Task Force of the Upper Peninsula's 2024 Regional Action Plan offers a deep look at childcare supply, demand, and barriers specific to our region, with data from employer surveys, parent surveys, and assessments of municipal zoning and available building stock across all 15 U.P. counties.
Questions?
Nikki Radke with the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation is a partner in the U.P. Regional Child Care Coalition. We can connect you with local resources, technical assistance, and programs that support both employers and childcare entrepreneurs.