Michigan Daycare Inspection Checklist

What the Inspection Actually Covers

The on-site licensing inspection is conducted by a MiLEAP Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB) consultant. They use the BCAL-4601 Compliance Record — a structured checklist that covers every regulatory requirement your home must meet. Understanding what is on that form before the visit removes the guesswork.

Here is what the consultant evaluates, organized by the major categories.

Physical Space and Exits

The consultant measures your usable indoor play space. You need at least 35 square feet per child, counting only habitable rooms designated for child care — kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and closets are excluded.

Every floor used for child care must have at least two remotely located exits. "Remotely located" means the exits are far enough apart that a fire blocking one does not block the other. If a window serves as the second exit, it must have:

• An unobstructed opening at least 24 inches in height
• A sill height no more than 44 inches above the floor
• If below grade, a window well of at least 9 square feet

The consultant also checks that the minimum room temperature reaches 65°F at a point two feet above the floor, and that total window ventilation area equals at least 4.5% of the floor area (unless the home has central air conditioning).

Fire Safety Equipment

This is one of the most common areas where first-time applicants fail:

• Smoke detectors — working detector on every floor, including the basement
• Carbon monoxide detectors — on every floor used for child care and every sleeping area
• Fire extinguisher — at least one multipurpose unit rated 2A-10BC on each floor approved for care, mounted no higher than 5 feet from the floor

The extinguisher rating matters. A kitchen-only extinguisher (typically rated 10-B:C or 1-A:10-B:C) is not sufficient — you need the 2A-10BC rating, which covers ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical fires.

Childproofing and Hazardous Materials

The consultant walks through every room and checks:

• All dangerous and toxic materials (cleaning products, chemicals, medications) are in locked storage, in original labeled containers, out of children's reach
• Electrical outlets accessible to children have safety covers or tamper-resistant receptacles
• Window blind cords are anchored to walls or cut to eliminate strangulation hazards
• The outdoor play area is fenced, and play structures taller than 30 inches are not over hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt

Record-Keeping Files

The consultant reviews your on-site documentation. You must have:

• Personnel files for every staff member and assistant, containing: CCBC eligibility determination letters, signed Consent and Disclosure forms, CPR/First Aid certificates, Medical Clearance (CCL-3704), and MiRegistry training transcripts. Under R 400.1906, these files must be retained for the duration of employment plus two years.
• Child enrollment records (Form CCL-3731) with full identification, emergency contacts, and medical release for every child in care
• Medication administration forms (Form CCL-1243) with written parent permission, dosage, route, and time constraints
• A Licensing Notebook containing all previous inspection reports, special investigation reports, and corrective action plans — this must be available to parents during business hours
• Written emergency evacuation plan posted in a visible location
• Written food allergy policy (required under the 2026 rules)

Pre-Inspection Documentation

Before the consultant arrives, make sure you can produce proof of:

• Heating system inspection by a licensed contractor (within the past 12 months, unless all-electric)
• Radon test results below 4.0 pCi/L
• Well water and septic approval from the local health department (if applicable)
• Current pediatric CPR and First Aid certificates
• Completed Health and Safety Training and Safe Sleep Training via MiRegistry

What Happens If You Fail

A failed inspection is not the end. The consultant issues a corrective action plan listing the specific violations. You fix them, and the consultant schedules a follow-up visit. Common first-visit failures include missing fire extinguisher ratings, outlet covers not installed in a utility room, and incomplete personnel files.

Repeated or serious violations can result in enforcement action or license denial. Operating without a license can also lead to enforcement.

Passing on the First Visit

The most effective preparation is treating the BCAL-4601 as your own pre-inspection checklist. Walk every room the consultant will see, check every item on the list, and stage your record-keeping files in one organized binder before the visit.

The Michigan Home Daycare Licensing Guide includes a pre-inspection walkthrough aligned to the BCAL-4601 compliance record, plus the forms and file templates you need for your personnel and enrollment records.

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