Building vs Converting Home for Center in MI

[newbaby90908]

Hello,

This is my first post I previously began the licensing process in a leased space and with one State inspection left till licensing and 15k later, I had to take the landlord to court and decided not to move forward in that location.

Now, I am at it again and looking at two options:

1) Purchasing a building that is about 3300 square feet with two bathrooms and no food prep area, but has lots of parking and an area I can convert to a play space.

2) Purchasing a 2700 house to convert into daycare center. It has 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, and sits on a half acre - so there is lots of play space.

I am leaning toward the house purchase, but unsure about the requirements - will it be all the same or what steps should I take first to make sure I can license the house as a center?

Also, I struggled with balancing State and Local licensing requirements previously - I was thinking of getting through all the state requirements first before starting with the local this time around - your thoughts???

Any help is greatly appreciated..

Thx,

[Unregistered]

Have you checked with your city if the housed is zoned for a business. I've known people who have run into that and were denied. My state requires towns and cities to allow for family child care. Group care is a different thing. It's not allowed in residential areas here.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Yes

I have done a residential conversion to a licensed center. I can help, this is in my wheelhouse!
Its a super long answer, so PM me if you'd like.

[newbaby90908]

Thank you both so much for your answers.