Find Child Care

License-exempt providers (LEP) must complete a one-time License Exempt Provider Preservice Training (LEPPT) and an annual Health and Safety refresher course by registering through MiRegistry.   Visit Great Start to Quality’s website or call our main office at 616.447.5678 for more information on the LEP process.

Imagine a world where every child is equipped to thrive, and where every child is prepared to enter grade school without limitations.  

At Great Start Collaborative (GSC) of Kent County, this dream is our vision.  It is the reason we exist, the reality we seek.  As a true resource for families in our community, we bring together local philanthropic organizations, educators, leaders of public agencies, and parents who strive to address the needs of children throughout West Michigan. By connecting these perspectives, we identify plans for systemic change to ensure all children, from birth to age eight, can access high-quality early learning and development programs. 

Learn more about the Great Start Collaborative of Kent County or contact them directly at 616.632.1019.

Looking for a way to pay for it all? Apply for a T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship!

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MICHIGAN links education, compensation and commitment to improving the quality of early education.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MICHIGAN is a statewide scholarship program designed to help child care center teaching staff, preschool teachers, family child care providers, group home owners, center directors, and administrators meet their professional development goals, while continuing their current employment in regulated early childhood and school age care settings.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MICHIGAN addresses two major challenges in the early education and care field – low wages and high turnover. The scholarship helps increase compensation and the retention of skilled teachers. 
The education level of child care providers is one of the most critical indicators of the quality of a child’s experiences in child care.

Currently, there are five scholarship models to support 
credit-based education:

• Building Foundations
• CDA Assessment
• Part-time Associate's Degree
• Associate's Degree (or CDA Training)
• Bachelor's Degree.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MICHIGAN, the scholarship recipient, and the sponsoring program work in partnership.

Great Start to Quality – Kent Resource Center has a FREE lending library which is full of early childhood resources and supports.   We have state-approved screenings, curriculum and assessments, educator resource books, big books, felt board kits, manipulative kits, theme-based kits and more!  Our lending library materials support the growth and development of children ages 0-5. 

We host monthly professional development opportunities which allow attendees to learn more about and interact with our Lending Library materials, including the chance to complete some make-it-take-it activities. (If you want to use our die cut machine, please bring your own paper.) You will also receive one free hour of Professional Development credit.

The Lending Library is at 864 Crahen NE in Grand Rapids in the Early Childhood Center at Lincoln Campus. Use Parking Lot #6. Library Nights are from 6 - 7:30 p.m. on:

• September 24
• October 29
• November 26 
• February 25
• March 31
• April 29
• May 27

Contact us at kentresourcecenter@hitchedhike.com or 616.447.5678 to get more information or schedule a time to visit!