Finding Child Care

Great Start to Quality Care — Finding licensed local child care. Follow the steps to search based on your family needs for care.

Choosing the right child care for your family — What parents should look for in a child care provider.

Care.com is a one stop shop for babysitters, nannies, senior/elder care support, housekeepers and even pet sitters! Their site allows you to view detailed profiles of their vetted providers and select by experience, hourly rate, availability and more.

  • If you have needs for care in other areas across the nation (Your elder mom lives in FL, or you have a conference in Atlanta and you want to take the baby) you can find care anywhere!
  • You can also look for “College Caregivers”. If you want to have access to MSU students’ profiles, you can search the system by college.

You must enroll with your MSU NetID email address

Au Pair in America — Trust the world’s most experienced live-in child care program. Au Pair in America is the first organization to be designed by the U.S. Government to offer a legal au pair program. Since 1986, we have placed more than 87,000 au pairs with American host families in 40 states! The program has expanded largely through word of mouth — host families telling friends and neighbors that Au Pair in America provides service, intercultural richness, and a reliable source of quality child care.

Cultural Care Au Pair — Cultural Care Au Pair is one of the largest and most experienced au pair organizations in the world, having successfully placed more than 80,000 au pairs in welcoming American homes since 1989. The program is strictly regulated and their dedicated staff all over the world carefully screens each au pair candidate to ensure they meet Cultural Care Au Pair’s high standards.

Nanny Network — If you are looking for a professional nanny to come into your home, you may opt to go through a Nanny agency to help you.
Contact: (586) 739-2100

MySpartanCareer — If you are interested in posting a childcare job opening online, please visit MonsterTrak or contact the Student Employment office at MSU.
Contact: (517) 355-9520
Location: 110 Student Services Building, East Lansing

Licensed Child Care Search — Statewide Results Child Day Care Centers and Homes. Search providers in your area or by zip code in another area. This site provides licensing information including license number of provider as well as licensing violations.

Click here to view comprehensive resources on choosing a childcare provider from Child Care Aware of America.


Special Needs Support

There are several resources in Michigan to support you and your child with additional services!

Children’s Special Health Care Services (1-800-359-3722) Financial assistance for medical care to families who have disabled children and require special care, ages birth to 21. Meetings and one-to-one support.

Autism Alliance of Michigan — Improving the quality of life for individuals for autism through unprecedented collaboration.

ARC Michigan (1-800-292-7851) State organization for children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities.

Care.com — helps you find local special needs care. View pre-screened profiles, listen to recorded references, post jobs and run FREE background checks. Care.com is the safe and simple way to find care.

Helping Hands Respite Care (517) 372-6671. 201 Hillside Ct. East Lansing, MI 48823. Respite care. Trained staff who are employed by Helping Hands Respite Care relieve family caregivers. Services may be provided to families for a few hours, a few days in the family home, or at the Respite House, depending on need and availability of service.

Mid-Michigan Autism Association
YMCA Day Camps — Children with special needs are welcomed at the area YMCA summer camp programs.

Early On® Michigan Early On® Michigan is the system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers, birth to three years of age, with developmental delays or diagnosed conditions with a high probability of resulting in delay, and their families. Early On is supported by funding from Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) through the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood Education and Family Services. Early On ensures that eligible children and families receive comprehensive, collaborative, family-centered, strength-based services. Early On supports families as families help their children to learn and grow. Visit  or call 1-800-Early-On (1-800-327-5966) for more information.

Cerebral Palsy Guide — Supporting families affected by cerebral palsy through free education materials and support opportunities.

Early Learning Institute — Serving children with autism spectrum disorders and their families.