New Report Highlights Growing Access to Child Care and Early Education for Michigan Families

MiLEAP Vision & Impact Report showcases how state investments are lowering costs, expanding access, strengthening the early childhood system, and building a strong foundation for lifelong learning

LANSING, Mich. — More Michigan children and families are gaining access to affordable, high-quality child care and early education as the state continues to invest in programs and partnerships that strengthen Michigan’s early childhood system, according to a new report released today by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential’s (MiLEAP) Office of Early Education (OEE). 

The OEE Vision & Impact Report 2026 highlights the progress Michigan is making to lower the cost of child care, expand access to high-quality early learning, strengthen the early childhood workforce, support Michigan’s economy, and make it easier for families to connect with the supports they need from birth through kindergarten and beyond. 

“Michigan is making meaningful progress in strengthening our early childhood system and expanding opportunities for children and families,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, executive director of MiLEAP. “From PreK for All and the Child Development and Care Scholarship to investments in our early childhood workforce and literacy development, we are working across programs and communities to remove barriers and give children the strong foundation they need to learn, grow, and thrive. This work is about more than preparing children for kindergarten — it is about supporting their development and potential from the earliest years and throughout their educational journey.” 

The report provides a statewide look at OEE’s work to support children and families from birth through kindergarten, strengthen early learning programs and providers, and build a more connected and sustainable early childhood system. Highlights include: 

• More than 50,000 children and families have accessed low- or no-cost care through the Child Development and Care (CDC) Scholarship, helping families reduce the cost of care while pursuing work, education, and long-term financial stability.

• More than 66,500 four-year-olds participate in PreK for All, saving families $14,000 annually in child care costs while providing families with access to high-quality prekindergarten at no cost and helping children build a strong foundation for kindergarten and beyond.

• The innovative MI Tri-Share Child Care program has helped more than 1,200 working Michiganders make child care more affordable while supporting employers and Michigan’s economy. Since the program launched in 2021, participating families have saved more than $17 million in child care costs. The program, which includes more than 300 participating employers, was made permanent in state law through the FY27 budget.

• Michigan’s investments in the early childhood workforce have supported more than 11,500 degrees, credentials, and certifications, strengthening the workforce and helping improve early learning experiences for an estimated 150,000 Michigan children.

• The $4.4 million Nurture Benefits pilot, launched with the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), is expanding access to health, life, and retirement benefits for child care employees statewide.

• OEE launched the statewide Child Care Business Essentials Hub with the SBAM Foundation, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Pulse at the W.E. Upjohn Institute, connecting child care business owners with coaching, technical assistance, and business resources to strengthen their programs.

• OEE has updated home- and center-based child care licensing rules to strengthen licensing requirements, improve onboarding for new providers, and expand access to technical assistance, reducing administrative burden while supporting high-quality care across Michigan.

• Michigan continues to strengthen developmental and early learning supports through programs and funding, including Early On and Early Childhood Special Education, helping children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families access services during critical early years.

• Michigan’s Head Start programs are an important part of the state’s mixed-delivery PreK system, working alongside the Great Start Readiness Program, child care providers, Early Childhood Special Education, and community-based providers to expand access to high-quality early learning for Michigan families. 

Building a strong foundation for literacy 

Michigan’s early childhood investments are also an important part of the state’s Every Child Reads initiative, a statewide effort to ensure every child has a strong literacy foundation and the support needed to become a strong reader, writer and communicator. 

Every Child Reads recognizes that literacy development begins well before children enter kindergarten. Through PreK for All, Michigan is expanding access to high-quality early learning experiences that help children build foundational language, literacy, and communication skills. OEE has also updated curriculum options available to PreK for All sites to align with the science of reading and established a statewide review process to help programs identify high-quality instructional materials. 

OEE is further supporting early literacy through professional learning for early childhood educators, including training focused on recognizing early signs of dyslexia and strengthening the science-of-reading foundation before children enter kindergarten. 

“Michigan’s early childhood system and our literacy efforts are deeply connected,” said Synthia Britton, MiLEAP interim deputy director overseeing the Office of Early Education. “Children begin developing the language, communication and early literacy skills that support future reading success long before they enter kindergarten. By expanding access to high-quality early learning, supporting families, strengthening our early childhood workforce, and connecting communities to literacy resources, we are building a stronger foundation for children to succeed in school and throughout their lives.” 

Together, these efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to strengthening Michigan’s early childhood system — lowering costs, increasing access, supporting educators and providers, strengthening early literacy, and helping families pursue work, education, and opportunity. 

“Michigan has made significant progress, and we know there is more work to do,” Britton said. “OEE remains committed to working alongside families, educators, providers, communities, and partners to build on this momentum and ensure every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.” 

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About MiLEAP:
Established by Gov. Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP ensures every Michigander has a path to prosperity from birth to earning a postsecondary credential that leads to high-wage careers. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.  

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