Petoskey Launches New Childcare Center

July 4, 2026

At the end of June, the nonprofit Little Roots Childcare opened in Petoskey. The center will have 36 slots and serve children six weeks to five years old Monday through Friday, with both full-time and part-time enrollment. A press release explains that by “utilizing the Small Capacity Childcare Center model, a newer licensing category enabled in Michigan to facilitate smaller-scale community-based centers, Little Roots can offer competitive wages to its staff while remaining accessible to local families.” “Being one of the first centers in the state to become licensed under this new license type is exciting, and I am honored to help bring this innovative concept to life,” Megan Gardner, Little Roots Childcare Program Administrator, said in the release. The project received support and funding from Great Lakes Energy, the USDA, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, and the Manthei family. Families interested in enrollment at Little Roots Childcare are encouraged to contact the center at (231) 340-8767 or visit littlerootspetoskey.com.