The early years of a child's life are a critical time when the brain is forming connections that help determine a lifetime of skills and potential, affecting the way that children think, learn and behave.  Child care that provides a loving, safe, stable and age-appropriate stimulating environment helps children enter school safe, healthy and eager to succeed.  You have a right and responsibility to demand quality child care to help ensure you child's healthy physical, emotional, social and intellectual development.

"A Parent's Guide to Early Learning & Care in Michigan" brochure

Parent's Tips for Using Great Start CONNECT

How can I get help with paying for child care?

You need to work to make ends meet, but having your children in child care every day can cost more than half of your salary, leaving you struggling to keep your bills paid. You need help, but is help available?  You may be able to get help paying for child care.

Here are a few scholarship/assistance options available:

Department of Human Services For many families, the cost of safe, quality child care is a major strain on the budget. DHS' Child Development and Care Program may provide payment for child care services for qualifying families when the parent, legal guardian or substitute parent is unavailable to provide the child care.

Child Care Access Scholarship Pathways, MI (funding provided by United Way of Ottawa County) offers child care scholarships that are awarded to eligible families in Ottawa County and are paid directly to the licensed child care provider. Providers are responsible for applying the funds awarded towards child care charges incurred by the parent. For Ottawa County Residents only. For more information contact Kim Lokers by email or by calling (616) 396-2301 x121.

Women's Caring Program The Women's Caring Program is a Michigan non-profit foundation incorporated in 1995 that provides financial support to children from low-income working families for quality childcare and early childhood education.