Michigan Daycare CPR, First Aid, and Safe Sleep Training Requirements

What Michigan Requires Before You Care for Your First Child

Michigan requires preservice health and safety and safe sleep training, plus pediatric CPR and first aid before anyone cares for children. The 2026 training sequence also includes abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome) prevention.

The sequencing matters because MiLEAP licensing consultants verify your training records during the on-site inspection. Make sure any CPR and first-aid certification is valid before you begin caring for children.

Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification

The licensee and every child care staff member aged 16 or older must hold a current pediatric CPR and first aid certification before caring for children. Child care assistants (ages 14–15) get a 90-day grace period after hire, but they cannot be left alone with children regardless.

Your certification must cover infant, child, and adult CPR plus pediatric first aid. The American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and National Safety Council all offer qualifying courses. Most providers complete a blended format — online instruction followed by an in-person skills check — in a single weekend. Expect to pay $45 to $85 per person depending on the provider.

Keep the physical or digital certificate in each staff member's personnel file. MiLEAP consultants check these during both the original license inspection and every renewal visit.

Safe Sleep Training Through MiRegistry

Before licensure, you must complete the state's Safe Sleep Practices module through your MiRegistry account. This is a free, self-paced online course that covers back-to-sleep positioning, firm sleep surface requirements, and the elimination of soft bedding, bumper pads, and loose items from cribs and playpens.

Create your MiRegistry account early in your licensing process — you will use the same profile to track professional development hours for the life of your license. The safe sleep module takes roughly 90 minutes and generates a completion record that your licensing consultant can verify directly in the MiRegistry system.

Abusive Head Trauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome) Prevention

Michigan requires all licensed home daycare providers to complete training on recognizing and preventing abusive head trauma, commonly known as shaken baby syndrome. This training is also available through MiRegistry at no cost and can typically be completed in under an hour.

The course covers the physical vulnerability of infants to shaking injuries, strategies for managing caregiver frustration when an infant is crying inconsolably, and the signs that indicate a child may have experienced abusive head trauma. This training must be completed before your original license is issued.

Ongoing Annual Training Hours

Once licensed, the licensee must complete a minimum of 10 clock hours of professional development each calendar year. Staff members must complete at least 5 hours annually. CPR and first aid certifications typically renew every two years, so build recertification into your annual training plan.

All completed training should be logged in MiRegistry, which your licensing consultant reviews during renewal inspections.

Get the Complete Training Sequence

Figuring out which training to complete — and in what order — is one of the most confusing parts of Michigan daycare licensing. The Michigan Home Daycare Licensing Guide maps every training requirement into a step-by-step timeline so you complete each course at the right moment, without paying for certifications before you know your home will qualify.

See more Michigan guides →